2018 Aug/Sept

Alternative Available for Hot and Cold Foil Waste

September 4, 2018

by Carson Weisbord, Channeled Resources Group

Photo courtesy of Channeled Resources Group.

For many manufacturers, waste is an out of sight, out of mind problem after it leaves the facility. The garbage truck comes, waste is loaded up and it’s hauled away. That’s it. Many believe there is no choice when it comes to the destination. This certainly applies to hot and cold foil roll waste. A large majority of it is currently disposed of through the landfill.

Recently, the Foil & Specialty Effects Association (FSEA) has partnered with Channeled Resources Group to work toward changing this mindset and creating an alternative for foil waste disposal. The Chicago-based organization has long been an advocate for responsible environmental practices in manufacturing. Utilizing a global network, Channeled Resources finds sustainable alternatives for nonrecyclable waste and other obsolete materials. “We are delighted with the new relationship with FSEA. This partnership is a win-win for both: it allows for the development of needed feedstocks for Convergen’s engineered fuel, while providing a sustainable solution for FSEA members,” said Calvin Frost, Channeled Resources Group chairman.

A sustainable alternative for foil waste

Convergen Energy uses a variety of obsolete waste materials, including spent hot and cold foil rolls, to manufacture EPA-approved combustible fuel pellets shown here. Photo courtesy of Channeled Resources Group.

For many years, Channeled Resources focused exclusively on materials resold in secondary markets. In 2008 that changed. As the manufacturing world continued to increase focus on sustainability, Channeled Resources Group partnered with Convergen Energy, out of Green Bay, Wisconsin, to pursue a new venture: Waste-to-Energy. The new program provides a sustainable alternative for materials that have no value in secondary markets and would otherwise be sent to landfills. Convergen uses a variety of obsolete waste materials, including spent hot and cold foil rolls, to manufacture an EPA-approved combustible fuel pellet. These pellets remove and reduce coal usage in industrial power plants, burning far cleaner.

For eight years, Convergen sold these pellets to coal-burning power plants across the Midwest. At first, the volatile energy market led to struggles with revenue and inconsistent outlets for pellets. That all changed in 2016 when Convergen purchased a commercial power plant in L’Anse, Michigan. Pellets now are trucked from Green Bay to L’Anse daily to be used as fuel for energy generated by the plant and sold to the grid. Vertical integration has allowed the firm to focus on increasing material volume, growing revenue and closing the geographic loop for waste. Convergen’s processing volume has increased threefold since July 2017.

Cost effective and environmentally friendly

The Waste-to-Energy program is also easy for companies to join. Manufacturers send full truckloads of gaylord boxes filled with obsolete foil rolls to Convergen’s Green Bay facility. Upon arrival, rolls are guillotined, shredded and mixed with other nonrecyclable materials to produce fuel pellets. This solution offers an environmentally-friendly means of removing used or obsolete rolls from the waste stream with minimal changes to waste disposal practices. A gaylord box of foil material accounts for around 1,000 to 1,500 pounds. Once about 15 to 20 of these boxes are filled and stored, the manufacturer simply schedules a pick-up. The process minimizes freight costs and carbon emissions by shipping truckload quantities of material to Convergen.

While foil stamping produces a beautiful end product, more than 50% of the material used in the manufacturing process often is sent to a landfill. Disposal costs are on the rise, as landfill tipping fees in the Midwest increased nearly 27% in 2017. Increased tipping fees and efficient shipping methods allow manufacturers to make a transition to sustainable waste disposal at equal or lesser cost compared with landfill disposal.

Sustainable alternatives are becoming critically important as landfills begin to reach capacity. If waste flow continues at current volumes, it is expected that landfills could be full within 14 years. Additionally, when waste sits in a landfill, it releases large quantities of methane, a pollutant 30 times more potent than carbon dioxide. Residential waste also continues to rise, increasing tipping fees. Waste-to-Energy curbs methane emissions and helps avoid the construction of more landfills by decreasing demand.

Accessibility and future expansion

Convergen’s facility receives material from all over the Midwest on a daily basis, working with Green Bay-based freight carriers to coordinate backhaul pickups of Waste-to-Energy material. This minimizes carbon footprint as the trucks picking up this material would otherwise come back to Green Bay empty. Channeled Resources utilizes a trusted network of freight carriers to offer rapid, seamless pickup services.

The current service area includes Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, Iowa, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Missouri and North Carolina. As capacity grows, the program plans to add collection sites and increase the service area in Chicago, St. Louis and Kansas City by early next year.

Almost all pre-consumer paper and plastic products can be utilized in this process, including printed products. However, no PVC, metal or food grade material can be used in the fuel in order to maintain a high level of quality and minimize greenhouse gas emissions. Convergen also provides certificates of destruction for all materials, ensuring confidentiality for its customers. The certification also allows manufacturers to promote their conservation efforts to customers.

Waste-to-Energy is a valuable first step toward building a circular manufacturing economy. Through this process, waste generators can provide a renewable energy input at a comparable cost to landfilling.

Users of hot and cold foil now have an early opportunity to pursue sustainable waste management and work toward mitigating the long-term impacts of climate change.

For more information on the new partnership between FSEA and Channeled Resources Group, please visit www.fsea.com or email Jeff Peterson at [email protected].

Started in 1978, Channeled Resources has grown into a global supplier of coated, treated, and laminated papers and films. In addition to manufacturing, Channeled Resources is a leader in developing alternatives to landfill use for pressure-sensitive adhesives, silicone-coated release liner and specialty films. Our goal is to provide cost-effective and environmentally responsible solutions to our global customers and suppliers. For more information: www.channeledresources.com

Anstadt Communications Raises the Bar with Classic Cocktail Recipe Cards

September 4, 2018

by Lara Copeland, contributing editor, PostPress

Since the turn of the century, the do-it-yourself (DIY) community has spread far across the US. And, since the middle of the last decade the maker culture, a technology-based subculture, has infiltrated the country. Those who are part of this relatively new community are typically interested in pursuits such as electronics, additive manufacturing, arts and crafts, and even using CNC tools. Inspired by this relatively new culture, Ellicott & Co. brings unique, quality goods to its hometown, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, a town with a rich history of craftsmanship that continues to thrive today. When the company wanted to create a deck of recipe cards featuring classic cocktails made with gin and vodka, it called on York, Pennsylvania-based, Anstadt Communications.

Titled A Gentlemen’s Guide to Classic Cocktails, the 4×6″ cards harken back to an era when cocktail parties were as popular as the Mashed Potato and Watusi. These digitally printed and decorated, two-sided cards (15 recipe cards and one cover card) feature sleek, retro illustrations from Infantree Design, also located in Lancaster. Anstadt was called upon to print and finish 150 exclusive sets of the recipe cards.

On the front of each recipe card is the name of a cocktail, whether it be a gin gimlet, cosmopolitan or an Italian Greyhound, and a large, colored illustration of the beverage that is printed and then highlighted with a raised tactile spot varnish using the Scodix Ultra Pro off-line unit. On the back of the cards is the recipe for the specified drink, listing the ingredients, the amount of each ingredient and the directions for creating the cocktail even including the garnishes. Each card also features intricate, decorative line work on the front and back; this was created using a digital foil with clear UV polymer adhesive. The title, “Classic Cocktails” showcases a spot gloss and raised feel.

Digitally printed CMYK on 80lb Verso Blazer Satin Cover using an HP Indigo 7900, the sheets were then run thought the Scodix Ultra Pro offline unit. “This provided an enticing quality to the pieces,” Anstadt President and CEO Matthew Doran explained. “Scodix Sense created a clear raised coating, and it was applied in just one pass.” The elegant deck of 16 cards features round cornering, collating and is enclosed in a bellyband.

“This was one of our first applications of using the dimensional elements of the Scodix polymer, along with the ability to do intricate foil work,” Doran emphasized. The use of Scodix is something not normally seen in consumer products. Typically, Scodix is an enhancement system used mainly in marketing materials. “As far as production is concerned, I think the real highlight of this piece is the incorporation of Scodix to bring tactile feel, dimension and foil elements in a tight timeframe using all fully digital printing technologies,” Doran stated. “And the clean, classic look, as well as a great use of color combinations paired with stark contrast of gloss foil against white is the best part of the design.”

As for Nat Leibee, general manager at Ellicott & Co., he is very pleased with the final product. “I think the embossing on the cards gives them a great feel, and the customers really like the shiny lettering.” He added that the throwback design has attracted buyers looking for gifts to give their fathers, boyfriends and husbands. “These cards are a great addition to any home bar,” he continued. “I think people will appreciate the classic recipes on the back, just as much as they are intrigued by the newer and funkier recipes we included.”

Book Sewing Technology Responds to Digital Printing Era

September 4, 2018

by Jeff Peterson, editor-in-chief, PostPress

The Smyth Digital machine is a modular system that allows book manufacturers to produce lay-flat “Smyth Sewn” books with a minimal investment.

The process of book sewing dates back to 1871 when David McConnel Smyth obtained his first patent. In 1882 the Smyth Manufacturing Company in Hartford, Connecticut, began the production of the first sewing machines, resulting in significant progress in bookbinding technology at that time in history, hence the industry term “Smyth Sewn.”

Once a tedious process that took considerable time for set-up and a very skilled operator, today’s book sewing technology is vastly different.

“Prior to the addition of computers for inputting the book product parameters, an operator had to manually make all the settings to the book sewing machine, which was a lengthy process and left room for operator errors,” commented Jennifer Moffa, account manager for Smyth® USA.

With advancements in computerization and electronic components, operators now can input the size of the book, the number of signatures per book and instructions on how to open the signatures (by lap or suckers, or both) and the computer provides an automatic set-up that is much more precise and efficient.

The Muller Martini Ventura MC features a guided signature transport for the processing of especially challenging signatures.

“The emergence of servo technology reduced set-up, and better control of the thread tension have vastly improved book sewing productivity,” stated Jim Kaeli, solutions manager for the Book Technology and Hardcover Division of Muller Martini. “In addition, barcodes now enable individual books to be sewn with unique content.” Kaeli went on to say that the introduction of digitally produced signatures in the last few years has sparked technology for ultra-short run production combined with sewing – a binding method that was not possible before.

Book sewing has certainly evolved over the last century, changing with the market needs. “On one hand, integration of the processes, automation and increased efficiency have been the drivers that shaped the modern book sewing machines and lines,” explained Manrico Caglioni, president of Book Automation, part of the Meccanotecnica Group. “On the other hand, the disruptive innovation brought by digital printing technology has driven a complete re-thinking of the sewing process and the rise of new solutions for digital print finishing.”

Advantages and application

Book sewing is considered a superior book binding operation when compared to the adhesive binding process, primarily because it allows the book to open and lie flat more easily. It’s a strong construction method that is not affected by inks and coatings, type of paper stock or other environmental conditions – which add up to a binding method with superior longevity.

New technologies in book sewing have allowed the introduction of specialty inserts or gatefolds, previously not possible in thread-sewn products. “There are machines available today that have the capability to stitch products featuring signatures of different sizes and positions,” said Kaeli. “Today, there are endless opportunities for optimum-quality sewn products to now include a standout feature that can differentiate a book, catalog and brochure and engage readers.”

Another advantage of book sewing, especially with the growth of digital printing and the associated quick turnaround times, is that thread sewing is a process that can be validated and checked as soon as it comes off the sewing line. “It is immediately ready for the hardcover preparation or for the application of the soft cover,” said Caglioni. “With other chemical binding methods, to guarantee the best results, you may have to wait several hours for the glue or adhesive to dry before validating your job.”

Another advantage of book sewing is that it is considered a green (environmentally-friendly) process, since it does not use any type of glue or adhesive.

Applications for book sewing are numerous. The most common are Bibles or other religious publications, children’s books, school books, yearbooks, technical manuals and patent ledgers. Book sewing is an excellent choice for any type of product in which the user will write on a regular basis. “When a book is glued, the pages can flap up, which will not allow the user to properly write or – in the cases of record, log and ledger books – properly input the data,” commented Moffa. “Smyth Sewn books are very durable as well, which is extremely important for these applications wherein the books must stand up to the trials of time and usage.”

Although book sewing is a high-quality binding option, it is certainly not the best option for all applications. Overall costs can be higher than perfect binding or saddlestitching. But, as mentioned above, for applications when the customer has a need to guarantee the pages will not become detached from the book, it is the best choice for many jobs.

Newest technologies

Changes in the marketplace have propelled machine manufacturers to make adjustments and add valuable options to their machines. The Ventura MC thread sewing technology from Muller Martini includes tight-sewn book blocks, with each signature correctly positioned, even at high production speeds. Books with spine lengths ranging from 120 to 510 mm can be manufactured efficiently in both one-up and multiple-up production runs. Many of the settings are automatic and are easily reproducible. The retrofittable Tween® option makes the Ventura MC the first book sewing machine on the market that is capable of stitching products featuring signatures in different sizes and positions, known as tweens. Other advantages of the Ventura MC include its guided signature transport for the processing of especially challenging signatures, the option of production without blind stitches for maximum productivity and its thread welding option for maximum stability and quality. The Ventura MC also is equipped with inbuilt monitoring of the correct sequence and opening of signatures through the automatic Asir 3 optical image and barcode recognition system. It is a quiet, stable sewing process, thanks to thread loop formation with blown air and a two-piece sewing saddle.

The UNIVERSE can perform sheet feeding, scoring and folding, collating and sewing on the fly.

To continue to grow with the ever-changing digital finishing world, Meccanotecnica has introduced its new UNIVERSE™ “sheet-fed” automatic book folding and sewing unit for digital print finishing, which is a significant upgrade from the previous versions in terms of performance and the ability to reach higher productivity levels through improvements in process efficiency. The UNIVERSE can perform four processes on the fly, including sheet feeding, scoring and folding, collating, and the final sewing of the product. UNIVERSE allows cost-effective binding of short runs and the production of high-quality books with hands-free workflow due to the auto-programming feature and the reading of barcodes. The UNIVERSE also provides automatic set-up according to book format within minutes and a hybrid feeding system that allows the operator to combine sheets from digital runs with offset signatures.

Smyth USA has tackled the need for book sewing capabilities in the digital printing arena with its introduction of the Smyth® Digital machine, a modular system that allows book manufacturers to produce lay-flat Smyth® sewn books with a minimal investment. Customers can upgrade from the standalone manual book sewing machine by adding an automatic feeder, turning the machine into an automatic book sewing machine for faster production outputs.

Another option available is a digital flat sheet feeder that can be added to either the Smyth® standalone manual book sewing machine or to an upgraded automatic Smyth® book sewing machine. The Smyth® digital machine can produce lay-flat Smyth® sewn books consisting of only folded digitally printed flat sheets or it can produce books consisting of folded digitally printed flat sheets and offset signatures coming from the book sewing machine’s automatic feeder. This provides customers with flexibility, as the equipment is able to “grow” with production requirements. The Smyth sewing systems can be purchased fully integrated with the automatic feeder for offset signatures and the digital flat sheet folder or in modular steps, as described above.

Creating Successful Cultures

September 4, 2018

by Dianna Brodine, assistant director, FSEA

This summer, I had the opportunity to participate on a selection committee for a local leadership award. The process included three separate review phases over the space of two months, culminating in a final group meeting where 12 people discussed the final nominees before naming the ultimate list of award honorees.

In many of our (sometimes spirited) discussions, the decision about whether to name the nominee to the final list came down to culture – did the nominee impact the culture of our community in a positive, lasting way?

Many of the most successful organizations have developed a culture in which their employees thrive – and business success follows. These book recommendations provide a look at culture creation in organizations from Netflix to the Navy Seals.

The Culture Code: The Secrets of Highly Successful Groups
Author: Daniel Coyle
Released: Jan. 30, 2018

In “The Culture Code,” Daniel Coyle goes inside some of the world’s most successful organizations – including the US Navy’s SEAL Team Six, IDEO and the San Antonio Spurs – and reveals what makes them tick. He demystifies the culture-building process by identifying three key skills that generate cohesion and cooperation, and he explains how diverse groups learn to function with a single mind. Coyle offers specific strategies that trigger learning, spark collaboration, build trust and drive positive change. Coyle unearths helpful stories of failure that illustrate what not to do, troubleshoots common pitfalls and shares advice about reforming a toxic culture. Combining leading-edge science, on-the-ground insights from world-class leaders and practical ideas for action, “The Culture Code” offers a roadmap for creating an environment where innovation flourishes, problems get solved and expectations are exceeded.

Powerful: Building a Culture of Freedom and Responsibility
Author: Patty McCord
Released: Jan. 9, 2018

When it comes to recruiting, motivating and creating great teams, Patty McCord said most companies have it all wrong. McCord helped create the unique and high-performing culture at Netflix, where she was chief talent officer. In “Powerful: Building a Culture of Freedom and Responsibility,” McCord advocates practicing radical honesty in the workplace, saying goodbye to employees who don’t fit the company’s emerging needs and motivating with challenging work, not promises, perks and bonus plans. McCord argues that the old standbys of corporate HR – annual performance reviews, retention plans, employee empowerment and engagement programs – often end up being a colossal waste of time and resources. Her road-tested advice, offered with humor and irreverence, provides readers a different path for creating a culture of high performance and profitability.

The Best Team Wins: The New Science of High Performance
Author: Adrian Gostick and Chester Elton
Released: Feb. 13, 2018

In “The Best Team Wins,” Gostick and Elton studied more than 850,000 employee engagement surveys to develop their “Five Disciplines of Team Leaders,” explaining how to recognize and motivate different generations to enhance individual engagement; ways to promote healthy discord and spark innovation; and techniques to unify customer focus and build bridges across functions, cultures and distance. They’ve shared these disciplines with their corporate clients and now have distilled their breakthrough findings into a succinct, engaging guide for business leaders everywhere. Gostick and Elton offer practical ways to address the real challenges today’s managers are facing, such as the rise of the millennials, the increasing speed of change, the growing number of global and virtual teams, and the friction created by working cross-functionally.

Fusion: How Integrating Brand and Culture Powers the World’s Greatest Companies
Author: Denise Lee Yohn
Released: March 13, 2018

Independently, brand and culture are powerful, unsung business drivers. But, as author Denise Lee Yohn reveals, when you fuse the two together to create an interdependent and mutually reinforcing relationship between them (what she calls fusion), you create new growth that isn’t possible by simply cultivating one or the other alone. Through detailed case studies from some of the worlds greatest companies (Sony, Frito-Lay, Oakley, FedEx, Airbnb, Adobe, Salesforce, LinkedIn, etc.), interviews with industry leaders and insights from the author’s 25-plus years working with world-class brands, “FUSION” provides readers with a detailed roadmap for increasing competitiveness, creating measurable value for customers and employees, and future-proofing their businesses.

D&Ks Double Kote Digital

September 4, 2018

Edited by Lara Copeland, contributing editor, PostPress

D&K Group, headquartered in the US in Elk Grove Village, Illinois, manufactures print finishing and coating technologies while offering a variety of laminating films, thermal and pressure-sensitive adhesives, coated products and more. In operation for nearly 40 years, D&K offers the user-friendly Double Kote Digital.

Marketing Communications Specialist Brian Biegel stated, “D&K introduced the Double Kote Digital laminator to meet the demands of the growing digital market. This machine offers short- to medium-run digital printers an efficient and inexpensive two-sided laminating solution for digital stocks, including HP Indigo and Xerox iGen output.” It features a quick set-up and easy lamination of digital prints up to 22″ wide. The system has an automated sheet feeder with pivoting belt table, laminator and heavy duty inline guillotine cutter – accurate to within 1/16″ – all with a small footprint.

The Double Kote Digital warms up in 20 minutes for two-sided application projects of all types, including print encapsulation, decals and more. An integrated fan bank quickly cools down hot films as they exit the laminator for clean cutting and easy handling. The sheet feeder with pivoting belt table offers easy film access for fast set-ups and changeovers. An optional inline side slitting system trims film edges and collects the scrap on takeup mandrels for easy cleanup. The belt registration table accurately guides sheets and ensures straight, consistent cuts.

“This is essential for post-lamination processing that may include foil stamping, embossing, binding, cutting and more,” Biegel continued. “Consistent sheet edges allow for accurate processing in downstream finishing systems where registration and alignment are critical.” Furthermore, the digital control panel allows for precision adjustments and reduced waste. The Double Kote Digital can accommodate virtually all digital prints and is compatible with all types of thermal laminating films including PET, OPP and PVC.

The robust feeder system can hold deep sheet stacks for large volume projects. The Double Kote Digital also offers faster speeds than many other compact laminating systems. “Faster speeds directly relate to higher output per hour,” Biegel said. “It’s essential for shops to maximize output to complete jobs with short turnaround times and minimize labor costs.” He also said that fast machine speeds reduce bottlenecks in the finishing area to ensure that production flows as efficiently as possible.

Helping to reduce labor requirements, the Double Kote Digital increases shop output, since only one operator is needed from start to finish. “Many shops currently employ two people in the lamination process: one person feeding sheets into a laminator and one person on the back end to cut and stack the laminated product,” Biegel added. “Shifting one of these employees to a different station reduces the labor requirement by 50 percent and also frees up personnel for other profit opportunities within the company.”

User feedback indicates that the Double Kote Digital is easy to set up and operate with minimal training required. The low price point is also attractive to organizations that are just starting out in lamination.

Technical details:

The Double Kote Digital measures 98x43x58″ and weighs 900lbs. With speeds up to 20fpm, it can process sheets from 8.5×11″ through 20×25″ in size. It can run sheets between 80lb through 10pt thickness.

For more information, visit www.dkgroup.com.

Digital Foil Technology Opens New Doors

September 4, 2018

by Melissa Larson, contributing writer, PostPress

The new MGI JETvarnish 3D Evolution has expandable sheet options up to 29×47″/75x120cm at 3,300 B2s per hour.

Eye-catching metallic effects are among the latest beneficiaries of the digital post-print revolution. Digital inkjet technologies with raised varnishes and foils, as well as laminating processes (foil sleeking), are being used for a variety of specialty print applications. The usual digital benefits – easy artwork, no makeready, no waiting, economic short runs, one-offs or variable data from copy to copy – are joined with the ability to add metallic foil and dimensional varnishes through digital processes.

“The last 20 years have marked the steady adoption of digital design, workflow and press equipment in the marketplace – with both toner and inkjet-based systems,” explained Jack Noonan, marketing manager at MGI-USA in Melbourne, Florida. “The next phase of this evolutionary process will be to extend the flexible benefits of digital technology to the last frontier of job completion: the realm of postpress finishing. Examples of digital enhancement include 2D flat spot varnish coats, 3D raised dimensional textures and embossed variable data foiling (VDF).

“A beneficial result of these new developments will be a growing market awareness about new types of ‘sensory-based’ print applications designed to create a memorable impact in a world of omni-channel communications. The tactile and optical special effects represent a powerful new way to use print as an information medium,” Noonan added.

PostPress spoke with foil print production suppliers and business owners using the latest techniques to see how they are used and what the advantages are for various types of printed pieces. They also gave insight into how offering digital foil has helped them forge stronger connections with their customers.

The technology

According to Noonan, MGI JETvarnish 3D presses produce 100% digital print enhancements with dramatic and dynamic 2D/3D foil highlights for applications on hundreds of substrate surfaces, including paper, plastic and synthetic stocks. MGI demonstrated the first digital 2D UV process at Drupa 2008 and the world’s first 3D UV and digital foil embossing system at Drupa 2012. At Drupa 2016, MGI expanded the JETvarnish 3D product series with capabilities from 12×18″ to B1+/full sheet (29×47″) and 16.5″ rolls.

“The JETvarnish 3D system can utilize variable data processing to create individually unique embossed foil impressions for images and alpha-numeric text,” Noonan said. “This print enrichment process translates into customer relationship-building benefits with the advantage of highlighting the impact and power of print in the marketplace. MGI digital special effects help printers energize the communication campaigns of brands and result in highly profitable new application revenue streams.”

The Scodix Ultra2 Pro with Foil – Multi Material Digital Enhancement Press – provides brilliant foil effects for a wide variety of substrates.

The Scodix Foil Station, available from Scodix Inc., Saddlebrook, New Jersey, is an optional module that runs inline with the company’s Scodix Ultra Pro digital enhancement press. It delivers foil capabilities such as high gloss, embossing and a variety of densities for short to medium runs, using a highly advanced, efficient digital process. Scodix Foil is ideal for coping with short to medium runs where long makeready and set-up times can be drastically decreased and tooling completely eliminated. It’s also highly suitable for converters and existing finishers offering foil for high-end short to medium runs.

“Scodix Foil is designed for short to medium runs, particularly those where foil applications would previously be outsourced or require lengthy and costly makereadies,” said Lynn Kolevsohn, director of marketing. “Being a digital enhancement technology, Scodix Foil delivers what customers demand: brilliant foil effects, with no waste or mess. The application deploys a range of foils compatible with a wide variety of substrates including offset, digital, plastics, laminated or non-laminated and coated or uncoated. This enables us to deliver high-quality applications such as business and greeting cards, folders, book covers, brochures, labels, packaging, invitations and more.

“Scodix effects also can be combined, so foil-on-foil is possible, as well as Scodix Sense (high gloss embossed varnish) on foil. Stunning effects can be produced that simply would not be possible with traditional methods,” she continued. “Another major selling point for Scodix Foil is that it works with variable data and can be personalized. Applications that would be cost-prohibitive through traditional methods – whether producing runs of one, or thousands – the process is cost effective. Prototyping – for applications such as folding carton packaging – is also possible.”

Ticket to new business

David Rula, partner and business development director of Digital Marketing Services, Inc. (DMS), Pelham, Alabama, has had an MGI system since January 2018. “We’ve been able to access a higher-level clientele, for instance advertising firms, and the capability of our MGI system is a differentiator.”

These higher-level projects include mailers for luxury cars, fine art commemorative posters, ticketing, high-end book and brochure covers, and premium small packaging, such as that used for cannabis. Variable data also lets DMS do ticketing, and the company is in beta testing to work with the National Football League on ticketing, where the variable data capability will make quick work of row and seat numbers.

The dazzling effects are sometimes difficult to get across in pictures or descriptions. “It’s hard to express to prospects,” said Rula. “A picture doesn’t do justice to what the finished product will look like. Sometimes clients need a sample before they can appreciate the visual and tactile effect.” The MGI system allows DMS to print and embellish a complete sample proof at a reasonable cost.

Opening channels

C&T Print Finishing, Inc., a family business in South Windsor, Connecticut, recently purchased an MGI JETvarnish 3DS with iFOIL press. According to principal Tracy Cole, this machine was obtained with the intention not to compete with the printers, but to embellish a printing company’s printed materials.

“This new technology has opened doors to new customers and business, across all of New England, in addition to our existing commercial printing customers,” she said. “This also has opened up communication channels with designers who can design specifically with the MGI in mind – schools and colleges looking for posters and logos, and the average person looking for ‘Save the Date’ cards or invitations.”

Cole said the MGI system allows C&T to provide a less expensive way to achieve the desired foil effect, because the customer does not have to pay for a traditional hot stamping die. The press “prints” UV at 2D or 3D levels, and the foil adheres to the UV. In addition to the metallic foil effect, the customer also can achieve an embossed effect with raised 3D inkjet varnish capability. The spot 2D UV alone, applied to a printed piece, improves the appearance of the printed product immensely. In addition, this technology allows C&T to offer variable foil at a low cost.

When the customer needs to see what the finished piece will look like, it’s easily accomplished.

“C&T frequently produces a variety of proofs, at little to no cost to the customer, because we don’t need to order a die, wait for the die to arrive and then spend hours on a difficult set-up,” said Cole. “Once we receive a properly set up file, MGI’s AIS (artificial intelligence scanner) allows for a quick makeready process. This capability makes it very efficient to produce samples within minutes, modify the sample based on the customer’s needs and quickly rerun a new proof.”

Having this type of proofing process on the MGI also allows C&T to provide a true foiled proof to the customer. The finished metallic foil may be accomplished through the JETvarnish or through a more traditional foil stamping method, depending on the type and length of the job. This ability actually can help bring in further work on traditional foil stamping equipment as well.

Shelf shout

According to Kolevsohn, localization is another incentive for brands to make smaller runs, as products are tailored from region to region. The process comes with a high level of complexity, which is managed easily through digital technology.

“For example, well-known beverage brands can create 10 different packaging variations for one whisky brand, increasing shelf appeal in different local markets,” she said. “A bright version – incorporating lucky reds, yellows and greens – might suit the Chinese market, while a subtler version could work better in the British market.”

While it’s important to ensure there is an element of “shelf/shout,” something that makes packaging and the product itself unique is also key. These factors also make it difficult for the brand to be copied, reducing the risk of counterfeit goods, according to Kolevsohn.

SunDance Marketing Solutions, Orlando, Florida, utilizes its MGI process to lay down the polymer coating, then laminate the foil over the clear polymer.

“SunDance has all the latest foiling equipment and technology in house to achieve optimal efficiency, while delivering a stunning final product at a price point our customers love,” explained Kandi Johansmeyer, senior VP of sales and marketing.

SunDance now offers digital variable foil for one-to-one marketing projects or corporate identity collateral. “We combine the latest digital printing methods with in-house finishing techniques to enhance the overall look and feel of a digital printed piece,” said Johansmeyer. “If customers need to execute a variable data job, but want to add some extra flair, we have several options available. We can utilize traditional hot foil stamping finishing services or foil sleeking techniques to create the desired end result. These processes allow us to execute highly personalized, custom small-run jobs with the additional visual and tactile enhancement of metallic foil.”

SunDance offers an extensive color selection of foils, including holographic foils, custom foil colors, metallic foils, gloss or matte pigment foils and even refractive patterns that can be added to the stamp to produce an eye-catching 3D image range of options.

According to Noonan, “These market trends translate into a very significant opportunity for printers to increase work volumes, new client acquisition strategies and profitability ratios. The advantages of digital print enhancement also can contribute to achieving new business development goals from a marketing and sales perspective. Digital print enhancement can be a key driver for future growth and a method of competitive differentiation for all print service providers.”

“The growing success of service providers utilizing digital enhancement technology to embellish and decorate color ink output means that they can strengthen both their bottom line revenues and their customer relationships,” Noonan concluded.

FSEA News

September 4, 2018

FSEA and IADD Gearing Up with Changes to its 2019 Odyssey Event

New name, logo and interactive website introduced
The premier event for diecutting/diemaking, foil stamping and other specialty print effects will be held in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, May 1 through 3, 2019. This will be the 10th anniversary of the event, held every two years and hosted by the International Association of Diecutting and Diemaking (IADD) and the Foil and Specialty Effects Association (FSEA).

In honor of the anniversary, a new name has been revealed – Odyssey Expo. Formerly the IADD·FSEA Odyssey, Odyssey Expo 2019 symbolizes a fresh inclusivity of companies from a variety of graphic arts and other industries. Leaders in the folding carton, corrugated, bindery/finishing, printing and package, and others are expected to attend. The revamped logo retains the globe from the original logo and adds a modern font, crisp color scheme and date/location line for instant event branding.

“We believe the new name and logo helps us broaden our reach and market our event to a wider audience,” explained FSEA Executive Director Jeff Peterson. “We have already begun creating new alliances with printing and folding carton organizations that are planning to co-locate an educational experience or event during the Odyssey Expo next year.”

Odyssey Expo 2019 will be held at the Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta, a 20-minute drive from the airport and near two major interstates for attendees driving in from the surrounding area. After a day at the event, networking can continue at The Battery Atlanta – a newly constructed premier dining and retail space next to the stadium where home games for baseball’s Atlanta Braves are held.

In addition to the new name and logo, a new website has been launched for the Odyssey Expo (www.odysseyexpo.org). The revamped website features mobile responsiveness to meet the needs of attendees looking for the latest event information from their mobile devices. This will be particularly useful on site during Odyssey Expo, as attendees will be able to quickly and easily access session schedules both for the TechShopTM, where live equipment demonstrations will take place, and for the traditional classroom education opportunities.

The new Odyssey Expo website also packs a visual punch, with a focus on showing attendees – and potential attendees – what Odyssey is all about, from the TechShopTM to the show floor. A photo gallery and pages throughout the site showcase images from previous events.

“The 2019 Odyssey event has been rebranded with a new name and a new logo to reinforce our show’s impact in the diecutting, diemaking, folding carton, foil and engraving segments,” said Shaun Larson, president of IADD. “The new website is a continuation of our brand, and we’re excited to show the industry just what our event offers through an easy-to-use, mobile-responsive site.”

For more information on Odyssey Expo 2019, visit www.odysseyexpo.org.

FSEA and PaperSpecs Partner on Comprehensive “Foil Cheat Sheet”

The Foil & Specialty Effects Association has partnered with PaperSpecs, the leading online source of paper and print information for print designers, to help produce the “Foil Cheat Sheet.” This new resource will be displayed prominently on the PaperSpecs website and will be heavily promoted to more than 18,000 graphic designers and brand marketers through social media and other channels.

The “Foil Cheat Sheet” will be a concise, easy-to-read reference to the different types of metallic decorating techniques in the marketplace today and the best applications for each. This will include hot-foil stamping, cold foil transfer, digital foil transfer, laminated foiling (sleeking) and laminated metallic paper/board.

“Nothing dazzles graphic designers and their clients quite like foil, yet a lack of knowledge keeps many from actually using it,” explained PaperSpecs founder Sabine Lenz. “The cheat sheet will give the design community instant access to all the options available to them, all in one place.”

The “Foil Cheat Sheet” will be available soon on the PaperSpecs website at www.paperspecs.com, FSEA also is working with PaperSpecs to develop a printed/decorated piece that will be passed out at tradeshows and conferences.

FSEA Steps Up Partnership with PRINT 18 and ApTech

FSEA will be on full display at PRINT 18, September 30 through October 2 at McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois. PRINT 18 is produced by the Association of Print Technologies (ApTech).

First, FSEA has increased its usual booth size at the event where it will showcase an extended number of its winners from the 25th annual Gold Leaf Awards in 2018; its industry-leading magazine, PostPress; and newly published white papers on the impact of high-visibility enhancements on shelf presence. Attendees can stop by and see FSEA at booth 3846.

Jeff Peterson, FSEA executive director will lead a seminar on September 30, the first day of the show entitled “Definitions and Applications for Specialty Effects on Print.” He will discuss new decorating processes now available in the marketplace and the best applications for each – from cold and hot foil to digital inkjet coatings and foils.

In addition, FSEA will sponsor a breakfast featuring Chris Eckhart – president, Eckhart & Company, and bindery representative on the FSEA board of directors – and Peterson, who together will give an overview of FSEA’s newly formed Binding and Loose Leaf Division. Both active members (trade binderies, bindery departments and loose leaf manufacturers) and associate members (suppliers to the bindery and loose leaf industries) are welcome. The breakfast will take place 8 to 9a.m. Tuesday, October 2 in Room S502a. To RSVP for the breakfast, please visit www.fsea.com/PDF/FSEA_Print18_ReceptionBreakfast_Registration_fillable.pdf or call 785-271-5816 for a registration form. There is no cost to attend.

Finally, Peterson will lead a guided exhibit hall tour on the last day of the show, October 2, taking a group of attendees to several booths that display specialty print and embellishment equipment and/or products. The tour will take place from 11a.m. to 1p.m. and will begin at booth #1652. The booths involved with the tour include Brandtjen & Kluge, Eagle Systems, MGI USA (Konica Minolta booth), Nobelus and Therm-o-Type.

Limited space is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations are required, and participants must be registered attendees of PRINT 18 to register. Attendees can register by emailing [email protected]. For further details on all of the scheduled tours, visit www.aptech.org, select on PRINT 18 Event and then the Learning Experience link.

Hello Darkness, My Old Friend

September 4, 2018

by Chris Kuehl, managing director, Armada Corporate Intelligence

Somehow, I’ve always wanted to connect my musical past to economics. Well, maybe I just decided this minute to make that link, but it seems appropriate to reference this when talking about an economic issue we have not faced in a long time. A cloud has been on the horizon for quite a while, but of late it has started to look a lot more menacing and imminent. We are heading toward an inflationary period of significance, and this is not something that many of us have experienced over the better part of the last two decades – we have been busy contending with a recession and then a very slow recovery from that recession.

It would be a good idea to review what inflation actually is, how it is assessed and why it worries economists far more than a recession does. Simply stated, an inflationary period is one in which prices of most everything rise – and generally sharply. These price hikes vary and rarely proceed in lock step: There may be inflation in one sector and even deflation in another but, as the problem worsens, the inflation broadens. The deepest concern among analysts is when there is inflation in the most basic of commodities, as these prices soon course through the entire economy.

The rate of inflation is measured by noting the change in pricing from one period to another – an annual rate, monthly or quarterly. The annual measure is generally the most reliable, as it limits the impact of volatility in pricing. There are generally two types of inflation measures – core inflation and real or headline inflation.

The measurement of core inflation often drives people nuts, as the economic analysts who do these numbers do not consider the price of fuel and food. These are arguably two of the biggest factors in a given family’s budget, and it doesn’t seem to make any sense at all to not consider the price change. The measure of real (headline) inflation does indeed count both food and fuel. The reason they are not considered as part of the core rate is that these prices are extremely volatile and can change radically within a few weeks. That makes it very hard to make comparisons over a few months or a year. It also is assumed that these price hikes will show up in other ways through the course of the year – higher transportation costs, higher air fares, more expensive restaurant meals and so on.

When it comes to driving up prices, the two most important factors are commodity prices and labor. When there is a rise in the price of oil or natural gas, there is a sharp response in utility costs and the price at the pump. Drivers feel it, transportation providers feel it and consumers feel it when they pay more to heat and cool their homes. Industrial metal prices, plastic resins, chemical compounds, lumber and cement are among the many other commodities that form the basic building blocks of the economy.

Then, there are wages. For the last year or so, the expectation has been that wages would go up at any minute, as all the conditions were right for such a hike. There is a theory called the Phillips Curve, which has been in place since the 1950s, that made the connection between low levels of unemployment and higher wages. Naturally enough, it was assumed that when there were fewer people available to hire, the business community would have to pay people more to get them to take the jobs on offer. It also was assumed that companies would poach from one another to get the people they needed – and, that also meant higher wages to lure people to change jobs or higher wages to get people to stay right where they were.

Some movement in commodity prices did occur, but not all of them rose as quickly as expected. Commodity prices have been increasing for both natural and artificial reasons. The natural reason is that producers reduced their output when demand faltered, and output has been slow to return to prior levels. The artificial motivation has been the tariff and trade war launched by Donald Trump. This has driven up the price of steel and aluminum, and various threats directed toward the Iranians and others have pushed the oil markets to hike prices.

Wages did not go up as predicted, as those looking for work lacked the skills and training needed. If they did get hired, it was with the understanding they would need to be trained and would not be making much more than minimum wage until they had the needed skills. Businesses have started to give up on finding qualified people and are hiring attitude and assuming the need to do their own training.

One very important factor we have not talked about yet is the role of the Federal Reserve. The job of the Federal Reserve is to manage monetary policy, which means intervening when there are recessions and inflationary periods. In truth, the central bankers are far better equipped to deal with inflation than they are with recession. The only weapon the Reserve has to goose the economy along is to make money cheaper by lowering interest rates and finding other ways to get banks active. This has been referred to as “pushing a string,” because banks can’t be compelled to loan – they have to want to and, during a recession, they often don’t. Controlling inflation, on the other hand, is far easier. All the Fed has to do is make money harder to get by hiking interest rates and reducing the availability of bank assets, which is accomplished by setting the reserve ratio or changing the interest rates the banks get for depositing money at the Fed.

In the most general of terms, the Fed is made up of “hawks” and “doves,” but the designations are highly flexible depending on how the data are trending from one month to the next. The hawks want interest rates higher and worry far more about inflation than do the doves, who think the recession threat is the more damaging.

Right now, the hawks seem to hold the majority position within the Fed’s Open Market Committee (FOMC) – the body that is charged with setting these rates. The members this year include Jerome Powell as Fed Chair and John Williams as the head of the New York Fed and Vice Chair. They are joined by the other seven permanent members of the Board of Governors and four of the regional bank heads who rotate for annual terms. Right now, there are only three members of the board: There have been some resignations and retirements, and the replacements have not worked through Congress. Of the three, Powell, Randall Quarles and Lael Brainard are swing votes – hawkish on inflation now but shown to be more dovish in the past. The four regional heads that are on the FOMC this year include the very hawkish Loretta Mester from the Cleveland Fed, John Williams from New York, Raphael Bostic from Atlanta and Thomas Barkin from Richmond. The last three named have been both hawk and dove at times but are hawkish now.

All this means the Fed will be quick to raise rates to contend with any sort of inflationary threat. Obviously, it has already started with the rate hikes this year and the stated desire to raise them again in September – and, likely in December as well. The assertion is that rates would go up four more times in 2019. The Fed Funds Rate now is 2.0% and will likely be at 2.5% by the end of the year. If current thinking prevails, the rate at the end of 2019 will be between 3.0% and 3.5% – but that assumes inflation stays below 2.0% at the core level, and many are suggesting this will be a hard line to hold.

Our fearless forecast holds that core inflation will climb to at least 3.0% in the next 12 months, and this will provoke the Fed to hike its rates faster than anticipated. We are looking at interest rates between 3.5% and 4.5% by the end of 2019.

Chris Kuehl is managing director of Armada Corporate Intelligence. Founded by Keith Prather and Chris Kuehl in January 2001, Armada began as a competitive intelligence firm, grounded in the discipline of gathering, analyzing and disseminating intelligence. Today, Armada executives function as trusted strategic advisers to business executives, merging fundamental roots in corporate intelligence gathering, economic forecasting and strategy development. Armada focuses on the market forces bearing down on organizations. For more information, visit www.armada-intel.com.

If You Don’t Know How to Onboard New Employees, You’re Not Alone

September 4, 2018

by Pam Butterfield, Business Success Tools

Here’s the challenge many employers are facing today: baby boomers stayed in the workforce longer than anyone expected. As a result, many employers put off any efforts to recruit their replacements, and now those employers have forgotten – or never really knew – how to onboard new workers so they’ll get up to speed and stay.

Today, the onboarding process is critical. This is especially true when hiring millennials, who make quick decisions about their workplaces and have no problem leaving if they are unhappy. If a company doesn’t onboard the boomer’s replacement properly, chances are the replacement will leave. And, by the time the next employee comes along to fill the spot, the boomer (and his or her institutional knowledge) is long gone. Without that knowledge, the newest hire has a much higher chance of failing.

Get really good at developing and retaining your people.

Improving your company’s ability to develop and retain good employees is a process, not an event. Improvements take time and resources. Here are three things successful companies do to help new employees get off to a good start and become confident contributors:

1. Onboard employees. Imagine this. You’re standing with one foot on a boat and one foot on a dock. If you don’t put both feet on one of the surfaces, as the boat pulls away, you’ll fall into the water. The goal of a well-thought-out onboarding process is to get a new employee to move both feet solidly onto the boat (your company). You want new employees to be proud of the company they have joined – to feel like they belong and fit in. Successful companies have an onboarding process that fits their size, culture and needs. An Internet search using the term “onboarding new employees” will help you find excellent, free resources to get started with onboarding in your company.

2. Provide company and job-specific training. Training costs money and takes time. Not training your employees costs even more. Good people do not want to go to work every day and screw up. And millennials, who seek engagement and development, will quickly sour on their jobs without new challenges.

What that means is that you must have an established, repeatable in-house training program. This will help your employees develop the skills they need to do the job the way you want it done. It will reduce the likelihood of mistakes and rework, while helping new employees learn the procedures that allow them to do it efficiently. By the way, “I talk. You learn,” is not training. The ultimate training solution might require you to design and implement a formal apprentice program, and that may be several years away from reality. Start with small steps. How about providing checklists for routine tasks to minimize employee errors and yield more consistent results? Or, create written work instructions for more complicated job tasks? There’s more to effective training than checklists and work instructions, but at least this is a start.

3. Give ongoing feedback. Regular on-the-job “guidance” catches problems before they become huge performance issues. With newer employees, it allows you to provide course corrections, on-the-job training and feedback. If an employee improves, mistakes get nipped in the bud. If the person does not improve, you’ve spotted a potential flaw in your hiring process.

This kind of ongoing feedback also is the key to retaining millennials. They’ve grown up with constant, supportive feedback. You can make fun of that as much as you like, but it’s what they expect. The annual performance review doesn’t cut it with this crowd. They consistently want to know how they are doing now. Look for ways to provide that feedback if you want to keep them.

Millennial disruption: It’s happening, and it’s not going away.

Millennials (one in three American workers today) are disrupting the way companies find and keep talent. They expect more from companies before they will even interview with them. They expect to be engaged and challenged where they work and to move on when they’ve learned all they can from a job or employer.

Employers that are dependent upon this generation for their next round of workers need to stop complaining about these new expectations. They need to learn ways to onboard employees quickly and to get the most out of them for as long as they have them. Employers that learn how to adapt to this disruption will attract and make the best use of this tech-savvy, knowledge-hungry and growth-seeking group of employees.

Here’s the mind-bender for many employers: In the past, companies hired people. Today, people are hiring companies. Millennials learn about potential employers before they submit their resumes. They won’t hesitate to withdraw from the selection process if a company is not a fit for them.

The big takeaways

I’ve worked with and worked for small companies that have succeeded in building a strong workforce. These companies have learned how to get, grow and keep employees. What I’ve noticed is it takes time – typically one to three years – for a small company to improve its ability to acquire, develop and retain the right employees. These companies often are reluctant to accept this new reality, and they suffer for it. They kick and scream (“We don’t have time” or “It’ll cost too much”) and push back on the need to invest precious resources in reinventing how they hire and train their people. The time and cost concerns are valid; truly, they are. But, if you plan to remain in business, doing nothing to improve hiring and managing people is not an option, especially in today’s hunt for scarce talent.

Take a good look at your recruiting, onboarding, training and employee engagement processes. Start evolving now to meet the needs of the labor force you’ll need today and tomorrow. Develop repeatable processes that can be used over and over as these restless employees move on. Stop complaining and start learning from them. They may just have something to teach you.

Pam Butterfield is the founder of Business Success Tools, which helps small businesses (1 to 1,000 employees) grow productively and accelerate growth through people and processes. For more information, visit www.BusinessSuccessTools.biz.

Industry Influencer: Bruce Peterson

September 4, 2018

Bruce Peterson, president and CEO of Colter & Peterson, a leading distributor in paper cutters and paper handling systems, has been at the helm of the 86-year-old family company since 1978.

“I basically grew up in the industry,” said Peterson. “My grandfather founded the business in 1932, and my father worked alongside him. When I was old enough, I would start tagging along and do some chores in the office.”

At 23, Peterson took on the responsibility of running the company. He notes that at that time only six employees were producing $200,000 in sales. Today, Colter & Peterson is a $12 million company with 40 employees and three locations across the US.

“Colter & Peterson has established itself as North America’s largest independent distributor of paper cutters and paper handling equipment,” he said. “We’ve accomplished this through hard work and exhibiting at the industry’s largest and best tradeshows.”

Peterson shared more about his role in the industry and why he and his company continue to be influencers.

With 45 years in the business, what wisdom have you acquired that continues to serve Colter & Peterson and the industry?

To succeed in the graphic arts industry, you have to work hard, be honest with your customers and try to find the best solution for them. It’s not always about selling the most expensive piece of equipment. I’ve found that when you take the time to listen to the customer and learn about their business, you can find the right solution that will work for them.

You also have to be invested in the industry and ready to accept change. I served on the board of NPES for 10 years, then stepped away for a few years. NPES is now APTech, and I am a board member again. People have to understand it is a not-for-profit organization that is designed to assist printing industry members.

APTech is very good with government outreach and tracking legislative issues that can favorably impact our industry. For example, I’m not a fan of tariffs, and I think they are harmful to our industry. APTech is doing what’s best for the industry by voicing our opinion with lawmakers. APTech also provides significant market data research and is on top of the latest trends to help run our businesses.

What are some of the biggest changes that you have seen in the printing/graphic arts industry?

After 45 years, I’ve experienced a lot of things. By far, the biggest change is the tremendous volume decline in the need for general commercial offset printing. At the same time, there has been a significant rise in the demand for digital inkjet printing. All of these changes have resulted in the need for various types of related finishing equipment.

Over the years, we have adjusted to these changes by getting ahead of the curve. With the growth in wide-format printing, we adapted and developed equipment to answer the call, including a series of larger and wider paper cutters. It’s a line extension that we didn’t have 10 years ago. Now we design, engineer and install them, oftentimes building to custom specifications to fill a specific market niche for our customers. And they are not cutting just paper anymore, but plastics, wood and other exotic substrates that no one thought of doing or had a solution for years ago.

Within the last decade, we began offering our CHM and CPM precision sheeting machines. The market changed, and customers wanted a method of better control on saving paper and dictating when they need it.

In your opinion, why is the graphic arts industry still valuable to our world of communications?

I believe there is a real, visceral value for the user of information to physically open and feel the product. That way, they become more willing to purchase or look at buying a product or service. By having marketing materials or a brochure in their hands, I think it leaves more of a mark or impression on them compared to looking at something on a phone. There is still a purpose for printing catalogs and brochures.

That said, I realize people want greater access to information faster and quicker. That’s why we just redesigned our website to add more information and make it easier for people to navigate.

What trends have you seen evolve with the machinery over the years?

As I mentioned before, the growth of wide format is a key one for us. The advancements made in vortex technology have been significant; so has the ability to program and store information seamlessly.

That has led to the success of our retrofit back gauge controllers. The electronics package is now a standard feature for all of our new paper cutters. It dramatically improves their productivity.

What predictions do you have for the industry over the next five years?

I think more consolidation is inevitable. Hopefully in the next three to five years, the demand for general commercial offset printing will reach its bottom and won’t shrink at the rate we’ve seen in the last decade. Many more of the small mom and pop shops probably won’t be around. We have almost reached a point where businesses need a niche or specialized market, or have a geographical advantage, in order to be a certain size company that can invest in technology. In the last decade, the number of general commercial printers has shrunk from 58,000 to 23,000. Only the strong have survived at this stage, and more will have to think and plan ahead in order to survive the next few years.