PostPress
Print Decorating, Binding and Finishing
Spiral Binding, headquartered in Totowa, New Jersey, offers the James Burn DCR-400 dual corner rounding machine.
According to the company’s website, the DCR-400 makes round corners on any material ranging from books, note pads, diaries and cards. Right and left corners can be cut simultaneously in a single stroke.
The machine is versatile, accommodating a wide range of dies and it’s user friendly with easy adjustments and an adjustable work table angle. Learn more at www.spiralbinding.com.
The Sirio® perfect binder, offered by Book Automation Ltd. – headquartered in New Milford, Connecticut, and part of the Meccanotecnica Group – is a heavy-duty industrial perfect binder for softcover book production in short runs, including a single book. The Sirio’s patented drive system enables it to run up to 1350 cycles per hour.
Learn more at www.meccanotecnicagroup.com.
Press release submitted on behalf of Sun Chemical
Sun Chemical’s Glenn Webster received the National Association of Printing Ink Manufacturers’ (NAPIM) Technical Achievement Award, one of the most prestigious honors in the ink manufacturing industry.
Recipients of the Technical Achievement Award are honored for making significant contributions to the science of printing ink formulation, manufacture or application.
“Glenn is more than deserving of this honor from NAPIM. During his career in the printing ink industry, he has developed and commercialized hundreds of products which have had a significant commercial impact for Sun Chemical and our customers,” said Dr. Philippe Schottland, Global Director-Functional Materials Technology, Sun Chemical. “The result of his work and contributions can be found today in many commercial products found on the shelves in applications ranging from beverage labels and folding cartons to flexible packaging offered by a wide range of brand owners.”
Webster started working in the printing ink industry in 1989 as a formulation chemist where he developed rheology-modified UV litho inks using novel low-temperature aluminum alkoxide gellants to gel polyester acrylate oligomers for improved litho performance and printability.
A holder of three patents, he further improved lithographic print performance with the development of a new approach to pigment dispersions for UV litho inks using non-reactive high molecular weight resins. He developed solutions to meet the industry’s needs for higher press speeds, introduced new barrier coatings that lightweight packaging and enhance shelf life, designed Mirrortech™ technology as a sustainable alternative to metallized board, and recently launched monoweb label overprint coatings which are a possible sustainable replacement to laminated labels in packaging.
“Glenn embodies all that our research and development team aims to accomplish at Sun Chemical,” said Russell Schwartz, Chief Technology Officer, Sun Chemical. “From the get-go, he was committed to creating solutions that improve customer productivity, offering new revenue opportunities for our customers and contributing to a more sustainable future. We’re pleased that he has been honored with this well-deserved recognition.”
The award was given during NAPIM’s 2023 Fall Technical Conference, which was held September 12-14 in Oak Brook, Ill. Webster joins a long list of Sun Chemical employees over the company’s 200+ year history to be recognized for important industry accomplishments. To learn more about some of those achievements, visit www.sunchemical.com/about/research-and-development.
Press release submitted on behalf of drupa
Online ticket sales for drupa 2024, no. 1 for printing technologies, have started. With the motto “we create the future”, drupa focuses on the industry’s innovative power and provides a relevant platform for tomorrow’s technologies. Numerous services support the best possible planning for a perfect trade fair visit.
For eleven days, everything that shapes the future of an entire industry will be on display here. From May 28 – June 7, 2024, the highly anticipated drupa trade fair will finally be held again in Düsseldorf, Germany after an eight-year break due to the pandemic. Tickets are available now at www.drupa.com
At drupa 2024, visitors will learn how to make their current business even more successful and secure a competitive advantage. The print and packaging industry is undergoing constant change, driven by digital innovations, sustainability efforts and changing consumer trends. Against this backdrop, drupa 2024 will offer an indispensable and unique platform to tap into this dynamism and to set the course for future-oriented growth.
Key players from 47 countries have already registered to exhibit. Particularly well represented again will be suppliers from Europe, especially from Germany, Italy, Great Britain, the Benelux region, Spain and Switzerland, but also from Japan, the U.S., Turkey, India and China. About 1,400 exhibitors are expected to participate at the Düsseldorf exhibition center. Trade visitors can look forward to surprising and impressive appearances and product launches, especially from global key players along the entire value chain.
Optimally informed with the exhibitor and product database
An overview of the exhibitors, their innovations and contact options for making appointments in advance of the trade fair is possible with the new drupa Exhibitor and Product Database. Convenient product categorization, modern and clear design as well as the option of filtering content according to personal interest help visitors to get a comprehensive overview even before the trade fair starts. The fast way of establishing contact makes it easier to plan for the trade show. The Exhibitor and Product Database is live now and is constantly updated with new information and products. Another valuable tool for preparing a visit is the Interactive Hall Plan.
MyOrganizer, the ideal companion
Interesting products, personal recommendations and a personal appointment schedule: using the MyOrganizer functionality, visitors can already prepare their own route through the exhibition halls in just a few steps. MyOrganizer can be used after registering in the ticket shop with a personal login or also without registration. The login is convenient to use on various devices (smartphone, PC) over an extended period. Once compiled, the list can be adapted or supplemented each time it is called up.
Perfectly prepared for the trip
Early planning is recommended for the world’s leading trade fair for print technologies. Anyone still looking for accommodation should use the services of BCD Travel Solutions in Düsseldorf (or TTI Travel for U.S. participants). As Messe Düsseldorf’s long-standing partner they can best advise which hotels in Düsseldorf and the region are available during drupa and can assist with specific booking needs. Messe Düsseldorf’s network of Foreign Representations help support international visitors.
Travel tips are also featured on the drupa website, including information on the discounted event ticket offered by “Deutsche Bahn” (German railways) and the “Düsseldorf-Ticket” for local public transportion in the city.
Tickets and prices
Tickets for drupa 2024 are now available via the ticket shop at www.drupa.com. Here, all the details about the different ticket types and prices can be found. Buying tickets online is recommended due to discounted rates and to avoid waiting times on site.
Tickets for exciting Guided Tours in cooperation with the PRINT & DIGITAL CONVENTION and the Fachverband Medienproduktion are also available in the online ticket shop. The program includes tours of the trade show halls on current topics such as interactive printing, digital print finishing, high-speed inkjet and labels & tags. Participation is possible on various days and times.
Press release submitted on behalf of Roland DGA
Wide-format imaging leader Roland DGA held a special “open house” event at its newly renovated Northeast Imagination Center near Boston on September 19, creating an opportunity for print providers in the region to get hands on experience with cutting-edge Roland DG technologies, talk to product experts, and gain expert business advice. More than 50 people attended the successful event at the state-of-the-art, 3,800 square-foot Roland DGA facility, which featured live product demonstrations, networking opportunities with industry professionals, and complementary food and drinks from local food truck favorite, Wahlburgers.
The products demonstrated at the open house included many of the company’s latest introductions, including the new TrueVIS™ LG and MG series UV printer/cutters, the new TrueVIS™ AP-640 Resin/Latex printer, new VersaOBJECT™ CO Series flatbed UV printers, the new VersaSTUDIO BN2-20 desktop printer/cutter, and more. Those on hand also got a firsthand look at Roland DG’s popular VersaUV® LEF Series benchtop UV printers and the new Rotary Rack attachments available for those devices that make printing on cylindrical objects faster and easier than ever.
“This open house enabled print professionals throughout the Northeast to see our newest machines in action without making the long, expensive trek to one of the major industry tradeshows held elsewhere in the country,” said Dan Johansen, Roland DGA’s vice president of sales. “We wanted to make it as convenient as possible for them to get up close and personal with our newest printers and printer/cutters – some of which are not yet on display in dealer showrooms. The event also made it simple for those in the area to get useful advice on the best Roland DG devices for their specific business needs and the applications they want to offer.”
In addition to Roland DGA’s Northeast Imagination Center, which opened in 2016, the company also owns and operates an Imagination Center for customers in the Southeastern U.S. – the Roland DGA Atlanta Imagination Center – which officially opened its doors on May 3, 2022, as well as a demonstration center at its Irvine, California headquarters. There are also opportunities to see Roland DG technology at hundreds of authorized resellers throughout North and South America.
Of course, there’s no need to wait for a Roland DGA open house event to get a firsthand look at the latest Roland DG technology. Customers who want to arrange a product demonstration at any of Roland DGA’s locations or dealerships can do so at any time. Those interested can start here: https://www.rolanddga.com/company/contact
Press release submitted on behalf of Komori America
Komori America today announced that Komori Corporation will celebrate its 100th anniversary on October 20, 2023. Komori was founded 100 years ago in 1923 by brothers Zenshichi and Yoshikazu Komori, from the rubble of the Great Kanto Earthquake. The Komori brothers originally founded their new company as Komori Machinery Works, focusing on manufacturing manual lithographic presses. In 1928, after many years of litho evolution, Komori developed its first sheetfed offset press. From this first press to the introduction of the Lithrone GX40/G40 advance series of offset presses announced in 2020, offset printing presses have been Komori’s core business.
The company’s first overseas sales from the American market originated in the 1960s using a distributor model for North America. In 1981, convinced of the potential of the American market, Komori broke ground for the construction work that established Komori America in Rolling Meadows, Illinois. Komori America was the world’s first sales subsidiary directly established by a manufacturer in the printing machinery industry.
As the demand for faster time to market and a higher level of automation grew, Komori evolved its focus from a printing press manufacturer to a print engineering service provider (PESP), offering a host of technology and solutions that cover the complete range of today’s print requirements. This included the development of the first fully automatic makeready press with fully automatic plate changers (APC); the KHS-AI system, Komori’s self-learning technology for color control and waste reduction; and the System G38 web offset press with LED-UV curing, designed to provide high-volume production with a lower carbon footprint and energy savings. Additionally, Komori expanded its focus by integrating its offset business with the securities printing machinery business, the printed electronics (PE) precision machinery business and digital printing systems (DPS).
“In the past one hundred years, we’ve implemented a variety of technologies that have been industry firsts,” noted Mark Milbourn, Komori America’s executive vice president of sales and service. “Not all of these have remained as long-term products, but that’s the beauty of Komori’s continuing research and development: We are always on the lookout for opportunities to refine the product and take it to the next level.”
In 2020, Komori acquired MBO Group, a global company that specializes in the manufacture and sale of post-press equipment. MBO is distinguished by its core competency of buckle, knife and plow folding technology, making it a world-class finishing solutions provider, able to add further value to Komori’s press solutions. Whether the print environment is sheet-based or web-based, Komori can provide its customers with advanced, robust, seamless printing production systems that include post-press processing.
Along with technological innovations, a central aspect of the Komori legacy is its commitment to the Japanese concept of “kando,” which Komori defines as delivering customer satisfaction “beyond expectations” through the quality of its products and service excellence. Customers of Komori cite their supportive, long-term relationships with the company as evidence that these founding values remain strong, even after a century.
“As a company, we consistently reaffirm our core purpose: our dedication to print technology and our focus on kando, both of which are the basis of our business,” said Toshiyasu Kubotera, Komori America’s president. “This year, we celebrate the 100th anniversary of our founding, a historical milestone. We will continue to evolve our business over the next 100 years, strengthening relationships with customers, business partners and all stakeholders by offering innovative ways that expand their potential, create new value and open new opportunities in business scenarios of every kind. We thank everyone for their continued support and encouragement.”
Press release submitted on behalf of PRINTING United Alliance
PRINTING United Alliance, the most comprehensive member-based printing and graphic arts association in North America, today announces the recipients for the 2023-24 Student Scholarship Awards Program. The Alliance’s Student Scholarship Program awards $50,000 total in financial support to students planning a future in the printing and graphic arts industry, made possible through donations from endowment investors and industry leaders through the PRINTING United Alliance Foundation.
Supporting the Industry’s Future Workforce
The Alliance provides a multitude of resources, programs, and services for students in order to best support and prepare them for the industry as they graduate. The Scholarship Program is just one of the many programs available to students.
“The Alliance proudly offers this annual scholarship program in order to preserve and help aid the future of our industry,” says Ford Bowers, CEO, PRINTING United Alliance. “We realize that education and related costs continue to rise each year. Any role that the Alliance can play to encourage students, and alleviate these expenses in the form of a scholarship, in addition to our many resources like our iLEARNING+ educational courses, and other helpful services; we gladly will. Congratulations to the students in this year’s program who have worked so hard in all they have achieved!”
Alliance 2023-24 Scholarship Award Recipients
This year’s scholarship recipients and their respective member educational institutions are as follows:
British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT)
California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) – Graphic Communications Department
Clemson University
Ferris State University
Illinois State University
RIT Department of Graphic Media Science and Technology
Toronto Metropolitan University – School of Graphic Communications Management
Stuttgart Media University
University Of Houston
Western Michigan University
High-Performing Industry Students
To qualify for the Alliance’s Scholarship Program, students must be enrolled to attend an Alliance Educational Institution member college or university full-time for the fall 2023 semester and are pursuing a career in graphic communications, printing technology, or printing management. Students must also maintain a cumulative 3.0 grade point average or higher on a 4.0 scale.
For more information about the Student Scholarship Awards Program, visit our Student Scholarship page.
Press release submitted on behalf of Diversified Graphic Machinery
Diversified Graphic Machinery (DGM), Red Bank, New Jersey, offers the DCH 60 and DCH 200 diecutting machines designed for short and medium runs. The DCH 60 is an automatic diecutter for paperboard and cardboard. The DCH 200 is an automatic diecutter for paperboard. The machines offer short job change-over, operator-friendly systems and both models come with many accessories and configurations. Learn more at www.dgmna.com.
Press release submitted on behalf of PACK EXPO
The packaging and processing community came together this week for perhaps the most important PACK EXPO Las Vegas in its history, according to show producer PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies.
Nearly 32,000 attendees, the most in the show’s history, actively engaged with more than 2,300 exhibitors across 1 million net square feet of exhibit space at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
This event not only stands as the largest packaging and processing trade show in North America this year but as the largest PACK EXPO Las Vegas in the show’s history.
“PACK EXPO Las Vegas was a huge win for the packaging and processing industry,” says Jim Pittas, president and CEO, PMMI. “From attendance to exhibition space to educational sessions – the show surpassed expectations to provide our largest, most comprehensive show to date. This is proof that the industry continues to thrive and show-up to provide the most innovative, sustainable, effective solutions the world has to offer.”
As PMMI’s State of the Industry report highlights, industry growth remains steady at a healthy 3.4 percent with the total size of the market in the U.S. reaching $10.2 billion.
Looking to capitalize on this growth, more than 2,300 exhibitors displayed and promoted their latest innovations to make connections with decision makers in packaging and processing.
“PACK EXPO Las Vegas has been an invaluable platform for Ska Fabricating to connect and engage in meaningful discussions about packaging line automation,” says Elise Wright, marketing & events manager, Ska Fabricating. “This show not only showcases a myriad of solutions for the entire packaging industry, but also fosters an environment where industry professionals can exchange ideas and insights. The networking opportunities on and off the show floor have helped to strengthen and grow our industry partnerships.”
“The show has been fantastic for us, and being in the Processing Zone was perfect. The traffic has been excellent, and we’re having quality conversations with key decision-makers about their processing needs. PACK EXPO Las Vegas was the perfect place to showcase our new processing innovations,” says Mark Padly, account manager, Provisur Technologies.
“Our goal was to meet potential customers and share more about our company offerings and values in an up close and personal way. It was pretty amazing to have this level of access to buyers and experience all the machinery in action,” says Ryan Cabral, sales and operations manager, Ideal Solution LLC.
Both first-time and long-time exhibitors made new connections, unveiled new solutions and found exceptional value at this year’s PACK EXPO Las Vegas.
“We didn’t quite know what to expect our first time at PACK EXPO Las Vegas, but we found the experience to be effective. We connected with value chain members that we normally don’t have a chance to connect with and discovered innovations, especially in sustainability, that we didn’t know existed. We were pleasantly surprised,” says Jon Timbers, chief sustainability officer, Epsilyte LLC.
“The best part of PACK EXPO Las Vegas was introducing our brand to new audiences and diverse industries. We are impressed with the number of decision makers with quality projects we were able to meet with. We expect the number of leads that came from this show to fuel our business for months to come,” says Jack H., communications manager, Chubby Gorilla, Inc.
“After years of being an attendee at PACK EXPO, making the decision to exhibit at PACK EXPO Las Vegas has brought us great value. The Containers and Materials Pavilion was the perfect venue to showcase our capabilities. The show traffic exceeded our expectations, and we are planning to be back!” says Mary Mayled, manager of marketing, business development and commercial administration, Plastipak Packaging, Inc.
Attendees come for a variety of reasons, and a show like PACK EXPO Las Vegas offers multifaceted solutions for the more than 40 vertical markets represented at the show.
“We’re a pet food co-packer and came to PACK EXPO Las Vegas with a big group from Spanish Fork, Utah,” says Kyle Cloward, packaging manager, Mountain Country Foods. “I’m here to see materials and containers while others from our team are focused on equipment. I’m specifically looking for materials that stand up to more highly automated systems. This is my third visit to the show. It’s always good to see everything you need in one place.”
“I came to PACK EXPO Las Vegas to find new packaging and filling equipment and am excited by what I’m seeing on the show floor. This might be the largest PACK EXPO I’ve attended. It’s a well put together event with a good representation of industry suppliers which allows me to see so many solutions live and under one roof,” says Suzanne Dawis, vice president of R&D, Bright Innovation Labs.
“Our group includes several companies and more than 28 brands in cookies, crackers, snacks, and breads. I’m at PACK EXPO Las Vegas to find automation and robotics solutions to take our operations to the next level,” says Ryan Besai Group, chief engineer, Bermudez Group Limited based in Trinidad and Tobago. “While I’m new to the show, I can see that PACK EXPO Las Vegas has a wide variety of suppliers. The Innovation Stage sessions I attended were very enlightening. For businesses based in the Caribbean, the show is relatively close and easy to reach.”
As stated in the latest State of the Industry report, sustainability remains top of mind and thousands of attendees visited the new Sustainability Central exhibit to take a journey through the sustainability process. They were also able to visit the hundreds of exhibitors showcasing sustainable materials and machinery at the show.
“We came to PACK EXPO Las Vegas to find more sustainable packaging options,” says Brooke Ervin, packaging engineer, Mopar (Chrysler Service Parts Division). “Particularly, we’re interested in returnable packaging. We’ve already seen possible solutions on the show floor and visited Sustainability Central. This show is where we need to be.”
Show attendees voted for the most outstanding innovations on the show floor in the Technology
Excellence Awards announced Tuesday afternoon. The winners of the 2023 awards are Aneko Emsys (Aneko, N-10165) for Food/Beverage, AI Enabled Augmented Reality for Transforming Packaging Operations (Harpak-ULMA Packaging, SL-6188, SL-6101) for General Packaging and Processing, Catalyx Digital LineClearance Assistant™ (Catalyx, SL-6185) for Personal Care/Pharma, and Amcor HealthCare Recycle Ready Sachet (Amcor Healthcare Packaging, SL-6635) for Sustainability. For more information about this year’s winners, visit packexpolasvegas.com/tea.
PACK EXPO Las Vegas was more than just a packaging and processing equipment and materials show, it offered more than 130 educational sessions and plenty of networking opportunities.
“I consult for a wide range of companies – from manufacturers of electronics to sealants to food and beverage CPGs” says Kurt Ulmer, captain, Crazy Contraption, Packaging Design Consultancy. “PACK EXPO Las Vegas is huge and all-encompassing. It’s a good place to network. I’m also here to see materials advances and find innovative solutions for sustainability – particularly lightweighting – and cost savings in package design.”
A highlight of the show’s second day came early when 750 industry professionals gathered for the Packaging and Processing Women’s Leadership Network (PPWLN) breakfast. Keynote speaker Manjit Minhas, renowned Canadian entrepreneur, beer baroness, and television personality covered mentorship, being a working mom, starting her business, the importance of being fearless, and constant learning.
“It takes coordination and participation from all parts of our industry to pull together an event of this size and caliber. We’re extremely grateful to all involved in making this show a record-breaking success,” says Laura Thompson, vice president, trade shows, PMMI. “The feedback from exhibitors and attendees is encouraging, especially hearing success stories from both first-time and long-time participants.”
PMMI heads east next year with registration officially open for PACK EXPO East (March 18-20, 2024; Pennsylvania Convention Center). For more information and the register, visit packexpoeast.com.
PACK EXPO East is followed by EXPO PACK México (June 4-7, 2024; Mexico City), PACK EXPO International (Nov. 3-6, 2024; Chicago), and the newest addition to the PACK EXPO portfolio of trade shows, PACK EXPO Southeast (March 10-12, 2025; Atlanta). For all show-related information, visit packexpo.com.
Press release submitted on behalf of Taktiful
Taktiful, the digital embellishment experts, today proudly announces the launch of its latest case study, chronicling its collaboration with The Kennickell Group. This in-depth look provides invaluable insights into the challenges, solutions, and outstanding outcomes achieved through their 8-week training program for digital embellishments.
Key Highlights of the Case Study Include:
“We’re thrilled to share this success story, spotlighting how our bespoke training solutions can supercharge printing businesses,” said Kevin Abergel, President of Taktiful. “The transformation of The Kennickell Group is testament to the power and potential of understanding and harnessing digital print embellishments.”
Al Kennickell, Owner of The Kennickell Group, reflected, “I was aware that we were underutilizing the machine and I’m always eager to learn. However, I didn’t anticipate the profound impact the consulting would have on us. It gives us such a significant advantage over competitors who haven’t gone through it.””
To view the full case study and watch The Kennickell Group executives talk openly about their experience with Taktiful’s 8-Week Digital Embellishment Training, visit www.taktiful.com/kennickell.
