Enews June 2023

UV Days 2023: July 4-6 in Nürtingen, Germany

June 13, 2023

UV Days 2023 is scheduled for July 4-6 at the IST METZ headquarters in Nürtingen, Germany. Each day, gates will open at 10 a.m., and visitors will be able to organize their experiences according to their interests. The heart of the new campus at the IST METZ headquarters is the state-of-the-art research and development laboratory. The UV Technology Campus combines application, process and product development in one place.

In addition to campus tours, UV Days also includes lectures and presentations on the latest trends in sheetfed, label and metal decorating; UV, LED and excimer technology in printed electronics or wood applications; LED in newspaper printing; water and air sterilization using UVC; sustainable production and recycling; and de-inking.

A print product developed together with the PrintCity Alliance for UV Days 2023 will be presented, combining all facets and strengths of UV technology along the entire production chain. IST METZ has been organizing UV Days since 2002.

To learn more or register, visit www.uvdays.com.

Xcheck DCM from Baumer hhs Reads 2D Barcodes

June 13, 2023

Baumer hhs, based in Krefeld, Germany, has introduced the Xcheck DCM (diecutting monitor) – its latest-generation camera system for monitoring product mix-ups in sheet-fed diecutters. This new quality control system can reliably read and decode not only 1D barcodes, but also 2D data matrix and QR barcodes, giving the Xcheck DCM a unique selling point in the market.

Two-dimensional data matrix and QR codes offer the advantage of storing a lot of data in a small area. They take up very little space; for example, on the glue flaps of pharmaceutical or food packaging. Compared to conventional 1D barcodes, they can be of lower contrast and are readable even if parts of the code surface are damaged (max. 30%). They also can be read in any position. These advantages increase reliability in reading the codes, and therefore in the overall process of monitoring product mix-ups.

“Our new SmartCam DCM works with monochrome detection, which permits extremely fast decoding and analysis of 2D codes. If a wrong sheet is detected, the Xcheck DCM can stop the flat-bed diecutter before the sheet reaches the grippers of the feed unit. The machine operator can remove it from the feeder table and immediately restart the diecutting process. In short, the Xcheck DCM rules out the risk of diecutting the wrong sheets and of these blanks advancing to your folder gluer,” said Ralf Scharf, folding carton business development manager at Baumer hhs.

Because the SmartCam DCM is a matrix camera, it can reliably read codes even if sheets are still moving slightly. This means the Xcheck DCM is also suitable for use in the newest diecutters, which are equipped with register systems that position sheets while they are in motion.

The Xcheck DCM can monitor product mix-ups from top or bottom. The latter configuration is required, for instance, when processing blister packs with back printing, pharmaceutical packaging with inside printing or laminated and printed microflute. For these applications, the system can be flexibly adapted to customer needs. The same applies to sheetfed diecutters with dynamic feed systems. Finally, the new camera can easily be integrated in existing diecutters as a standalone system to monitor product mix-ups. In this case, the SmartCam DCM can be flexibly positioned using machine-specific adjustable crosspieces.

To learn more, visit www.baumer-hhs.com.

Nobelus Introduces Embossing Thermal Laminator

June 13, 2023

Nobeulus, a supplier of thermal laminating systems, thermal laminates and unsupported films, is adding a new Komfi® laminator to its equipment lineup. The Amiga 52 Emboss is a production laminator that combines the high-quality performance of Komfi systems with the ability to perform in-line embossing on demand. Standard embossing patterns include leather, linen and SHR™ (short for silver halide replacement). The SHR pattern enables photofinishers to give digitally printed photographs the look and feel of traditional silver halide prints at a fraction of the cost.

Like other thermal laminators in the Amiga 52 series, the Amiga 52 Emboss boasts a range of automated features, such as nip pressure activation, bursting sheet separation and sheet-overlap control. Its accessible control panel enables operators to pre-program settings for similar runs to reduce setup and maximize efficiency. To ensure each finished sheet is laminated properly, this unit includes misfeeding and temperature-drop detection features.

The Amiga 52 Emboss can be used to laminate and emboss a variety of applications, from digital photos and book covers to business cards and brochures. “Owners of this machine can even create custom emboss patterns to help provide brands with a unique identity,” said Dawn Hudock, equipment product manager at Nobelus. It is compatible with BOPP laminates as well as thin PET and nylon films. Optional features include a Sleeking® module for variable-data foiling, an automatic stacker or jogging table, and additional on-roll film perforators and slitters.

To learn more, visit www.nobelus.com.

Roland DGA Announces Key Service Department Personnel Changes

June 13, 2023

Roland DGA Corporation, an Irvine, California-based leading provider of wide-format inkjet printers, vinyl cutters, 3D milling machines and other digital imaging technologies, has announced three key personnel changes within its service department.

Jack Pozorski, a sign and graphics industry veteran who has held several different service and support positions at Roland DGA since joining the company in 2004, has been promoted to director of service. In his new role, Pozorski will be responsible for overseeing Roland DGA’s entire service department, ensuring that customers and resellers throughout the Americas continue to receive the level of world-class support the company is known for. He also will serve as the main contact with Roland DGA’s third-party service providers, looking for new ways to optimize those relationships and increase customer satisfaction.

Francisco Alvarado, who has held a variety of positions at Roland DGA over the past 25 years, serving most recently as Roland Care Support Manager, has been promoted to Roland Care Manager. Alvarado’s responsibilities will be centered around establishing new ways the company can support end users, as well as the dealer channel. In addition, he will oversee the company’s network of Roland Care Engineers throughout North and South America.

Kevin Rosen, who worked for Roland DGA from 2015 to 2021 – starting out as a technical support representative and later serving as application specialist – has been rehired and will replace Alvarado as Roland Care Support Manager. In his new position, Rosen’s primary responsibilities will include oversight of Roland DGA’s team of technical support specialists and day-to-day management of the service depot.

“These experienced, talented individuals will work together to make sure Roland DGA maintains its well-earned reputation for providing the best service and support in the industries we cater to,” said Ron Ball, Roland DGA’s vice president of services. “We congratulate them on their new, expanded roles within the company and look forward to their important contributions, which will help us continue to exceed the expectations of our customers.”

To learn more, visit https://www.rolanddga.com.

Digital Embellishments Provide Budget-Friendly Experimenting

June 5, 2023

By David Drucker, CEO and founder, highresolution

I have been blessed working with a creative community in New York City. In my career, it didn’t take long before I realized my clients were not just sending me their commodity printing but also including me in their creative conversations. I developed my trade and began to view my work as a form of art. And it was then that the caliper of work changed, and I had to up my game and teach myself the art of graphics.

Since my first production in 1983, I have been using embellishments as part of my regular printed productions when appropriate. The first was a black A6 envelope that needed my client’s branding and return address. I was introduced to hot stamping, and I opted for a beautiful black-on-black foil stamping. The black foil ironed out the texture on the paper and appeared clean, smooth and added a wonderful contrast. I then began to invest and put my money where my mouth was, trying so many papers and techniques.

Forty years later, technologies have changed but the desire to offer embellished techniques has not. And now there are so many alternatives – some the same and some that are helping to change designs. Embellishments should work naturally with design but not appear forced. “We want every bell and whistle on this brochure,” says the client. That might sound like a great opportunity to spend the client’s money but, in my opinion, there is nothing artful about that type of production. Artful is what I go for. Quality over quantity.

Choosing the right time to add embellishments

I define an embellishment as a foil stamp (hot), cold foil, emboss, deboss, letterpress impression, engraving, clear screened UV, sleeking or the metallics and clear UVs from machines such as a JETvarnish or Scodix.

When a client asks me to quote a production, the first thing I ask for is an idea of the design. That tells me the story of who will be receiving the piece – whether for a luxury event, direct mail campaign or influencer packaging. The design already might be slotted for an embellishment. I will visit my client or send similar pieces I’ve produced, maybe using different foils or sculptured embossing as a way to start our conversation. By introducing my past experiences in print, it gives the client alternatives that could enhance the end-production. If my client knows exactly what is wanted this time, my samples can help influence future productions.

What we do not want is to just grab the files and go right into production. I have found that sometimes an interpretation actually has several meanings. So, we want to produce what best works for that particular production. That comes as a result of our conversations and recommendations.

Digital embellishments

The digital world has changed the game for short-run productions. Digital embellishments are like jewelry to me. I find that only some of my clients really know about these enhancements. So, again, samples are important and can change the design in a whole new direction. I find that 80% of all my short-run work now is designed for press. Variable printing can be produced in gold foils and looks great. The price also is very competitive for short-runs with no dies or long makereadies – even when producing a one-off.

What digital embellishments also provide is a low-cost means of experimenting. Since there is no tooling, designs can be changed on the fly. So much knowledge can be gained through these types of experiments.

The art of embellishments

Important to me is working with a press person who sees the artistry in the profession. It is amazing the ideas that come with this type of relationship. Knowing the press person and press tolerances means there is less of a guessing game. And the more opportunities one has to have these discussions and experiment on press, the more perfection will be required.

I had been bouncing around and working with quite a few finishing companies in the early ‘80s. I was introduced to a company in my building called Gailer Stamping and Die Cutting in 1985. Specifically, I worked with a man named Michael Pinciotto. The difference when working with Michael? He took an interest in every production I worked on with him. We had discussions of techniques. His enthusiasm carried right to his press operators, who would push the boundaries. It was so great to learn and experiment with such a great production partner. Designers should ask themselves, “Who’s my Michael?”

It also is important to get educated on all the wonderful papers available. A slight change in texture, color and weight can influence embellishments into a new direction. Don’t be afraid to experiment by throwing a few extra sheets into the mix when in production. It is “school” for thought and leads to new ideas.

I like the refraction of light from the different angles of all embellishments. When a finished, well-produced production is handed to a client, watch the client’s face light up. Embellishments are the jewelry and candy of our industry. A great emboss or deboss works with light and reveals shadows, and foils reveal reflection. Find the height or depth of an embellishment and push it just before the point of the paper cracking. Play with clear UVs and see what can be done to make them better. The more designers experiment, the more ideas they’ll have and that makes an easy sale!

Conclusion

The bottom line is that I am a consultant who makes recommendations for every production. There is not any phase of the job that I am not fully involved with. That is my advantage, but it also takes up a great deal of time. When recommending embellishments, I can see the end result in my head. It is at this point that I begin to pull on my experiences and offer a direction I would like to see. There’s no reason why I can’t try to reach a higher level of artistry. My clients love this, and it has made my sales process easier and so much more exciting – especially with embellishments! I recommend designers pull on their experiences and state a redirection they would like to go.

David Drucker is the founder of highresolution, a print consultancy and production management firm. Serving bi-coastal clients, he partners with solopreneurs, design firms, creative agencies and C-suite creative directors at the strategic level to enhance printing, packaging and environmental graphics. Learn more at www.high-res.com.

Hot-Stamping, Embossing Produces Eye-Catching Holiday Card

When awarded this holiday card from Lafayette 148, a global lifestyle brand based in the SoHo district in New York City, David Drucker, CEO and founder of highresolution, faced a few challenges in keeping all of the elements pronounced. There were several versions of the inside copy so, he said, it did not make sense to print conventionally. Drucker opted for the HP Indigo.

The pattern is taken from a sweater that Lafayette 148 had in its winter catalog. “When I saw the actual garment, there were copper highlights and thicker white highlights. Digital embellishments would not work because of their relief bump, so I took my digitally printed sheets and moved them to conventional hot stamping and embossing,” Drucker said.

The copper is hot stamped with light pressure. Drucker said he usually would like to push the paper a bit, but the foil needed to be subtle. On the other hand, the blind emboss was created with a sculptured die to help enhance the feel of the white from the sweater.

“The sculpture pushed the paper just enough so your eye will capture the shadows and refraction of light without having to run your hand over it,” Drucker said.

Overall, he said, all of the printing, stamping and embossing work well together and do not compete with each other.

“I am looking forward to next year’s Holiday Card challenges,” he added.

Folding Carton Market to Enjoy Measured Growth Through 2026

March 15, 2023

Submitted by the Paperboard Packaging Council

According to the Paperboard Packaging Council’s (PPC) recent Trends: 2022-23 Industry Outlook and Market Data Report, US demand for folding cartons will grow on average by 1.3% annually, with the market reaching 5.4 million tons by 2026. Output growth in nondurables, comprised of many carton-packaged goods, is expected to expand by 0.8% over the five-year forecast.

Prepared for PPC members by RISI, a provider of pulp and paper industry intelligence, the Trends Report describes how overall economic trends will affect the folding carton market in the near and far terms. The report states that general economic fundamentals in the US economy will remain strong throughout the coming years, for example, with consumer spending growing by 1.8% from 2021-26.

In addition to the overall economic performance, other factors play an essential role in Trends’ growth forecast for the next five years, including changing consumer spending habits, substitution away from plastic packaging and efforts to reduce plastic waste. Shipment growth will be healthiest at the end of the five-year forecast, as the current business cycle is predicted to peak in 2026. The total value of US carton shipments is predicted to grow from an estimated $9.5 billion in 2021 to $13.3 billion in 2026.

The folding carton industry is not without near-term challenges. A short, two-quarter downturn in economic output is expected in 2023, likely due to a recession becoming more of a concern as inflation eats into consumer budgets. Economic growth will provide a boost for folding carton producers in the coming year, but overseas production will continue to challenge the domestic market as competition with imports persists over the next five years. Competition from alternative packaging methods and materials also will remain a challenge for domestic folding carton producers, especially with increasing prices of boxboard substrates.

On the flip side, decisions by some of the largest fast-food companies and municipalities across the country seem to be providing hope that paperboard packaging materials are poised to benefit from their environmentally friendly profile. Plastic substitution and environmentally friendly packaging trends should provide a tailwind for carton growth over the forecast.

“Trends equips leaders in the folding carton industry with the knowledge they need to prosper in the changing marketplace,” said Ben Markens, PPC president. “Should they make an offensive move? Should they ramp up their defense? Trends helps them figure it all out.”

In addition to forecasts for the overall folding carton market, Trends also analyzes 17 end-use segments, including confectionery, dairy, dry foods, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and recreational products. This year, nine categories were classified as growing markets, seven as mature and one as declining.

The entire 2022-2023 Industry Outlook and Market Data Report for the folding carton industry is available through the Paperboard Packaging Council (PPC). For over 90 years, PPC has been the North American association for converters of paperboard packaging and their suppliers. PPC works to grow, promote and protect the paperboard packaging industry while providing its members with resources and tools to compete successfully in the marketplace. For more information, call 413.686.9191 or visit www.paperbox.org.

Taylor Box Company Creates Premium Packaging for Cincoro’s Extra Añejo Tequila

March 15, 2023

By Liz Stevens, writer, PostPress

Cincoro is the tequila label created by five National Basketball Association team owners, and the Spanish word cincoro (cinco oro) translates to “five gold” – a tribute to the company’s owners and their premium tequila, a liquid gold. The five are Michael Jordan, NBA great and principal owner of the Charlotte Hornets; Jeanie Buss, controlling owner of the LA Lakers; Wes Edens, co-owner of the Milwaukee Bucks NBA franchise; and husband-and-wife Wyc Grousbeck and Emilia Fazzalari, owners of the Boston Celtics.

Cincoro produces a crystal-clear Blanco, a medium gold Reposado, an intense amber Añejo and a deep copper Extra Añejo. Extra Añejo is Cincoro’s top-tier offering – a rare tequila that is aged 40 to 44 months in Tennessee whiskey barrels and only produced in very limited quantities.

When Cincoro was ready to launch its Extra Añejo Tequila, the company wanted the packaging to reflect the refinement of the tequila itself and to be as much of a keepsake as the beautiful black and gold bottle that holds this connoisseur-worthy spirit. On Cincoro’s behalf, packaging and printing powerhouse Oliver, Inc. reached out to Taylor Box Company, Warren, Rhode Island, for a collaborative effort to design and deliver packaging that would wow the sports world’s most discerning influencers.

“The goal was to have the complete delivery of both the bottle and box be eye-catching and something that would be kept and displayed by the consumer,” explained Judith Sheehan, CDMP, marketing & communications at Taylor Box Company. “The design of the box and its embellishment play off of the five tequila leaves in the company’s logo, which represents the five founders.”

Taylor Box created a five-sided matte black box with a gold foil lining. The box opens via “double doors” with a magnetic closing that crisply snaps shut. A custom-designed acrylic stand within the box holds the neck of the bottle securely and provides optimal presentation upon opening. The box’s gold foil lining features an embossed step-and-repeat pattern of the five leaves in the company’s logo.

The box is constructed of ESKA board and wrapped in black Corvon Mano from Neenah, which is a very popular soft-touch material. Hazen’s Econo Red Gold foil in #221 Taffeta emboss from Semper Paper was used on the blackboard from Newman, which was foil stamped in General Roll Leaf’s B17-RFX. The acrylic neck stand for the bottle was created by Precision Laser and heat-bent by Schofield.

A five-sided belly band outer sleeve encases the box in the same rich matte black and features the hot foil-stamped Cincoro label along with the five-leaf logo in a raised spot UV step-and-repeat pattern. Oliver, Inc. supplied the outer sleeve.

Taylor Box used an SBL diecutter for the base and folder components and a Thompson diecutter for insert components. The company used a Kensol for foil stamping the exterior tray wrap, a Kluge for the lining (step and repeat), an Emmeci casemaker for tipping of the folder, and a groover for creating the center panels of the outside folder.

“This was not a shape that we had ever done prior to this project,” Sheehan said. “The unique shape of the tray – designed to match the shape of the tequila bottle – could not be made by machine, so it was engineered to be assembled by hand. To make the matching folder work, we did a combination of grooved board and loose panels.”

“From a foil-stamping and embossing perspective, this project ran smoothly, especially considering the complexity of the step and repeat pattern,” said Ron Pontbriant, master foil stamping and diecutting technician.

“Taylor was able to produce the box to the customer’s quality standards and ship on time for the product launch,” said Sheehan. “The quality exceeded expectations, resulting in a premium package and presentation that met the level of expectations from both the A-list creators of the label and its discerning consumers.”

“With foil stamping and embossing being one of the first stages of production,” said Pontbriant, “I receive all the materials for each project in flat sheet form.” When the foil stamping, embossing or diecutting is completed, a project moves on to the construction stage, and Pontbriant typically doesn’t see the assembled pieces. “Seeing this project in its final form – and how elegant a piece this was – provided a sense of pride and accomplishment to be part of it,” Pontbriant said. “It has been an honor to have my work be part of a project that has received so much recognition and so many awards.”

This elegant and beautiful project was the Gold Winner – Best Use of Foil/Embossing – Rigid Box (Best Engineered) in the FSEA 29th Annual Gold Leaf Awards (2022), and Rigid Box of the Year (2022) by the Paperboard Packaging Council.

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