Enews November 2023

Introducing GenieCut: A Paradigm Shift in Carton Window Patching

November 14, 2023

Press release submitted on behalf of GenieCut

IMPACK, a pioneer in machinery solutions for the carton packaging industry, is thrilled to introduce the GenieCut, an in-line window patcher designed to redefine carton windowing. On August 16, 2023, IMPACK completed the acquisition of the GenieCut and formed a partnership with inventor Jeff Shaffer.

“With already 25 installations running across North America and the UK, the GenieCut is a tested and proven concept! It integrates directly onto the folder-gluer and it is a game-changer for businesses looking to optimize their operational area and provide additional packaging options to their customers using their current folder-gluer production line.” – Mathieu Tremblay, Deputy General Manager

Compact & In-line

With the GenieCut, packaging producers can offer window patching as a new service to existing customers, or modernize and streamline their current window application process. The GenieCut’s revolutionary technology introduces a significant paradigm shift in terms of speed, functionality, flexibility and efficiency. One of the GenieCut’s standout features is its compact design, which provides the same functionality as larger competing systems while taking up virtually no additional floor space.

Inspiration for Innovation

Jeff Shaffer, inventor of GenieCut, explained the inspiration for this new approach to window application: “Over the years, as a production manager on a folder-gluer line, I saw many ways that the outdated window patching technology could be improved. In the 1930’s a windowing machine was introduced that utilized a timed feeder, chain register, glue pot, printed glue pattern and a knife-to-anvil crosscut of the film. Nearly 100 years later, conceptually nothing much had changed…. until now. The GenieCut is a simple, low-maintenance design that promises years of easy operation with less waste and down time.”

Paradigm Shift in Window Application

This cutting-edge technology further increases productivity by significantly reducing, well, everything else – training time, set up time, cleaning time, and maintenance. How so? The GenieCut boasts a simplified, streamlined mechanism. It has removed unnecessary complexity, making it easier to operate and maintain. Many of the details you’re used to seeing on traditional window patchers simply don’t exist. The GenieCut does not have a glue pot, glue stencils or cylinders that need to be changed, customized or removed for cleaning. While standard window patchers can take 3 to 4 hours to set up, the GenieCut usually takes less than 15 minutes to set up when recalling an existing job. Since it does not interfere with or come in contact with the folder-gluer, the GenieCut can be maintained or prepared for a future windowing batch while the folder-gluer is processing windowless boxes. While traditional window patchers require fairly frequent blade replacements due to their knife and anvil cutting system, the GenieCut uses a patented stationary knife film cutting system.

Designed with the Operator in Mind

Speaking on the improved operator experience Jeff says, “The GenieCut is the most user-friendly window machine on the market! No prior window machine experience is necessary. With some basic knowledge of any adhesive extrusion system, operators already know how to run this machine.” This is a significant improvement over other leading machines, allowing businesses to achieve faster time-to-value.

IMPACK and Baumer hhs: Joining Forces, Creating Bonds

As part of a partnership agreement, IMPACK acquired GenieCut in mid-August 2023 from Jeff Shaffer (second from right), who invented this pioneering innovation for window patching. Also pictured (from left to right) are Stefan Badertscher (Director Sales & Marketing at IMPACK), Dominic Thériault (President and CEO) and Mathieu Tremblay (Deputy General Manager).

The GenieCut window applicator system features a specialized state-of-the-art glue system capable of feeding 60 glue guns or more. To accelerate customer return on investment, IMPACK and Baumer hhs offer optional glue gun modules for the GenieCut so that customers can select the smallest module that meets production needs. The glue gun modules come in standard widths of 6, 9, 12, or 15 inches and 18 inches for specialized productions. The glue system comes standard with an intuitive and user-friendly Baumer hhs touchscreen controller that allows operators to define precise glue patterns. Each dot of glue is 6.2mm center to center, adjusting the glue volume ensures an unbroken glue pattern once the film patch is placed. Film and glue patterns are stored in the controller reducing machine changeover from hours to minutes.

The New Benchmark for In-line Window Application

GenieCut sets a new benchmark for operational efficiency, outpacing other in-line and offline one-lane window patchers. Traditional window patchers have servo motors that need to “home” before cycling again, but the GenieCut design allows it to cycle continuously, so it can cut the film over 15 times a second. The maximum speed of the machine components is 200 meters per minute. With this high-speed window patcher, optimized folder-gluer lines can expect to achieve actual production times of up to 150 meters per minute or 15,000-40,000 boxes per hour depending on blank size. The GenieCut is capable of countless window patch widths on corrugated or carton straight-line, 4 corner, 6 corner, and crash-Lock boxes.

The Perfect Fit

“Sometimes, you encounter a new innovation and think, ‘This is ingenious; I wish I had come up with this idea.’ That’s precisely what crossed our minds the first time we laid eyes on GenieCut! The GenieCut fits into our product portfolio seamlessly, much like a missing puzzle piece. Like all of our products, the GenieCut is designed to improve functionality and productivity of folder-gluer machines and has the potential to help every single one of our customers be more competitive in the global market. Like IMPACK’s other patented products, GenieCut is a game-changer and is poised to become the new benchmark for in-line window applications.” – Dominic Theriault, President & CEO

Jeff adds: “I’m excited to be working in collaboration with IMPACK. With their many years of engineering excellence and quality manufacturing, they are in a position to take the GenieCut to the next level and bring it to folder-gluer producers around the world.”

For more information about this revolutionary in-line window patcher or to talk to an expert about your specific needs, please visit the GenieCut webpage on our website and fill out the form.

https://impack.ca/folder-gluer-in-line-window-patcher

Konica Minolta Commemorates 150 Years in Business

November 14, 2023

Press release submitted on behalf of Konica Minolta

Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. (Konica Minolta) today proudly announced the commemoration of its 150^th anniversary, a significant milestone few businesses reach. Through its long-time commitment to the industry and proactive approach to shaping the future of technology, the company has not only kept pace with industry developments over the years, but consistently appeared at the forefront.

Commemoration of this milestone has centered around showing gratitude to Konica Minolta’s stakeholders and recognizing its employees—the people responsible for transforming the organization into the company it is today. They are Konica Minolta’s legacy, carrying out the company’s long-standing philosophy to ‘create new value for society.’

The company enables that philosophy by enhancing employees’ capabilities as professionals, and fully unleashing the performance and potential of individuals and teams. Konica Minolta fosters and maintains an organizational culture that promotes health and safety, encourages individuals to take on challenges, and facilitates open communication. This approach in turn garners the commitment and loyalty needed from employees to create that value and continue to shape the company.

Sam Errigo, president and CEO, Konica Minolta.

“Our people are our single greatest asset, and we work extremely hard to cultivate employees who demonstrate innovative spirit and show true dedication to drive success across the business,” said Sam Errigo, President and CEO, Konica Minolta. “We are big promoters of diversity and inclusion and making sure that as an organization, different individuals in different walks of life have the ability to prosper here. It allows us to get different viewpoints on ways to approach the business. That has helped our culture ensure an environment where people can flourish and grow their careers.”

Through its broad product portfolio, Konica Minolta transforms the workplace experience and drives dynamic business change with solutions, services and offerings built specifically around how customers and their businesses work. Konica Minolta employees have the opportunity to collaborate with clients around the world to solve society’s greatest challenges. Continually building on its rich heritage as a manufacturer of technology hardware and prominent position as an innovative technology provider, the company thrives on combining diverse perspectives with creativity to transform the future of work and innovate for the good of society and the world.

Some extraordinary milestones have paved the way for the global technology giant, since Rokusaburo Sugiura began selling photographic and lithographic materials in 1873.

1873 Konica starts business as Rokusaburo Sugiura begins selling photographic and lithographic materials at Konishiya Rokubeiten in Kojimachi, Tokyo.
1903 Konishi Honten (predecessor of Konica) markets the “Cherry Hand Camera,” Japan’s first brand-name camera.
1958 Company’s first planetarium unit completed and opened to the public
1962 The first pictures of Earth taken from space with a Minolta Hi-Matic (during John Glenn’s “Friendship 7” Space flight)
1970 World’s first color copy machine introduced: Konica Minolta’s U-Bix 480
2003 Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc. is established by integrating the management of Konica Corporation and Minolta Co., Ltd.
2005 Released the world’s first Mammography to use phase contrast technology
2007 Withdrawal from photo and camera business
2011 U.S. Division acquires All Covered and begins digital transformation journey ahead of competitors
2013 Company name changed to Konica Minolta, Inc.
2015 U.S. Division launches Step Forward, an initiative to inspire women in professional excellence at all career levels.
2016 The bizhub PRESS C71cf digital press is the first of many new products that supports Konica Minolta’s strategy in the label and packaging industry market.
2018 U-Bix 480 certified as a “Copying Machine Heritage” established by the Imaging Society of Japan (ISJ).
2020 U.S. Division Launches Return to Work solution during the pandemic to assure employee safety when returning to offices
2021 Announces Status as a Microsoft Global Partner
2023 U.S. Division acquires Force Security Solutions

Konica Minolta has taken the opportunity to proudly reflect on its heritage and history since the start of its fiscal year on April 1. Earlier this year the company debuted its 150th anniversary video, in which the company reflects on its journey, having pushed the boundaries of what’s possible to make a positive impact in the world. The video launched via a global social media effort, with all regions of Konica Minolta aligning with posts simultaneously, another first for the company.

Amidst ongoing challenges in the industry, uncertainty in the market and general concerns about recession, the tenacity of Konica Minolta’s employees shines through. Despite difficulties, particularly in recent years with the pandemic and supply chain issues, the company has maintained the right culture and drive to turn things around. And with this track record of perseverance, the company is confident that alongside its employees, as well as its clients and partners, it will continue to drive positive change throughout the world.

Learn more about Konica Minolta’s rich history online.

Tech Watch: Spiral Binding’s EasyPunch from James Burn

November 9, 2023

Spiral Binding’s new EasyPunch from James Burn is a lower-cost version of existing automated punching technology. The machine provides versatile, easy-to-use operation, handling a wide array of paper stocks, covers and tabbed stock.

“This allows companies that couldn’t previously justify the expense of an automated punch to now afford this time-saving technology,” said Joe Bondonna, senior product manager at
Spiral Binding.

Bondonna said automated punching provides a faster and more cost-effective solution to mechanical binding as an operator can load the machine, press the button and walk
away to work on other tasks. The EasyPunch will punch books five times faster than an operator using a manual punch. There are many available punching die assemblies that can be used in the machine to automate the punching of Wire-O, plastic coil, round holes for looseleaf binders, plastic combs and more. Custom dies also are available.

The EasyPunch has a touchscreen control panel and format setup time of less than five minutes using the touchscreen and hand wheel. It has a cycle speed of 50 cycles per minute and punches up to 9,000 sheets per hour. It’s tooling is interchangeable with removable pins, and tool changeover takes about two minutes with storage space for one die. The machine is equipped with mechanisms to prevent paper jams and enhance operational safety. It offers mobility with lockable, heavy caster wheels.

Other specs include:
• Max sheet size – 12″ (BE) x 12″
• Min sheet size – 5.5″ (BE) x 5.5″
• Sheet weight – From 80 to 200 gsm
• Feeder and reception tray capacity – 4″ (two reams =
1,000 sheets)
• Byte thickness – .01″
• Power – 110/120 V (60Hz) 1ph
• Machine dimensions (W x D x H) – 44″ x 29″ x 41″
• Net weight – 370 lbs.

“We received a lot of customer feedback on design and improvements that could be made, and our engineering team has taken that information to refine our design. We are proudly introducing this new machine at the PRINTING United show in Atlanta this year,” Bondonna said.

The Label Printing Industry, an Ever-Evolving Market

November 7, 2023

This article is from the drupa Essentials of Print article series

by Chiara Bezzi editor-in-chief of Rassegna Grafica

The label printing sector has always been a dynamic market. Brand owners are looking for increasingly innovative labels to differentiate themselves and convey current and targeted messages to consumers. The current trends are leading suppliers and converters towards solutions that focus on sustainability and innovation. In the last years label converters felt the need for automation at various product life cycle stages.

Photo created through artificial intelligence

A printed label is the visiting card of a product, the primary step in communication between the brand owner and the consumer. On the shelf, the label contributes to the buyer’s perception of a product. Looking at a product label, the customer can be caught by graphic design, colors or embellishment, and certainly the label has an impact on his purchase choice.

But how do papers and embellishments influence the perception of a product? What elements of a label can visually express and summarize its essence? We know that for the same price and brand, it is the label that is most liked and able to create positive expectations about the product that is chosen. To explore the role of this communicative tool in wine purchasing, UPM Raflatac, leader in sustainable labelling, commissioned a neuromarketing research from research and consulting firm SenseCatch, in partnership with Argea, the largest Italian wine group, KURZ, world’s leading manufacturer of hot stamping and cold stamping technology, and Krämer Druck, one of Germany’s leading printers in the sector of wine labels.

The study was conducted in Germany, an attractive market for wine exporters. A group of German consumers was shown 32 labels on the shelf, with the same design but different from each other in terms of paper type and refinishing. The entire customer journey was reconstructed, from shelf observation and wine choice to product tasting. After choice, participants could observe, touch, and evaluate the bottles one at a time. Throughout the entire decision-making process, from the shelf choice of the bottle to the moment of tasting, consumers’ experience was analyzed using neuromarketing methodology.

In the first “moment of truth,” in front of the shelf, the results showed that during the choice in the first five seconds of observation, the bottles that attracted consumers’ attention the most were those characterized by visual, color, or material juxtaposition contrast, such as those with dark paper and shiny, metallic ennoblement. On the other hand, the most observed labels were those characterized by light-colored paper with gold or bronze ennoblements. In addition, consumers’ attention focused on bottles labelled with rough and textured papers, with obvious texture to the eye and embossed embellishments with a glossy effect.

During the second “moment of truth,” which is when the consumer physically interacted with the bottles, labels with textured papers and embellishments of the same color actually enhanced the embellishments themselves and were considered interesting and mysterious. The study found they stimulated the “tactile imagination” that anticipates the interaction experience.

The thicker, embossed paper and the embossing made the lettering more visible and enhanced the design, changing the perception from an empty and unattractive label – in the case of an embellishment of the same color as the paper, devoid of embossing – to a label that was instead curated and intriguing, enhancing expectations about the product. In this case, consumers imagined a higher quality wine, a premium product.

Finally, the results showed that the combination of paper and embellishing influences expectations and has a positive effect on the perceived liking and taste of the wine. The same wine served from the bottle with the most appreciated label obtained a higher rating than when it was served from the bottle with the least appreciated label.

The effect also occurred at a subconscious level; in fact, the emotional involvement measured through psychophysiological parameters was higher (+13%) when tasting the wine served from the bottle with the preferred label. In addition to influencing the likeability of the wine, the label also influenced perceived taste.

Market trends in label printing

According to Mordor Intelligence, the print label market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.2% over the forecast period 2023 – 2027. Different factors are driving the growth during the forecast period, such as an increasing demand for more attractive brands from print label customers, and a rising demand for manufactured goods. The growth of the e-commerce industry is another significant factor that is expected to fuel the adoption of printed labels over the forecast period. Challenges that the sector is facing are evident: a reduction in average job lengths and life cycles for mass-produced products, and an increase in the regulatory content on the label. In the last years, digital printing has been entered in this sector. This technology enhanced the possibilities to provide new applications in label design, meeting a growing market demand.

Today printing technology suppliers are developing hybrid solutions, at drupa 2024 new developments in hybrid presses will be shown. In the last years label converters felt the need for automation at various product life cycle stages. Because of less labor available for the industrial sector, human intervention becomes the bottle neck in the production chain. Automation and interconnectivity turn from a cost saving topic into a necessity for the industrial survival. In the area of workflow, the trend will be toward a cloud-based ecosystem. Today automation and digitalization in the printing processes are a must have. Automation means integration of the systems into the factory production processes that allows remote service, real-time machine monitoring and reporting production data. Among the advantages of automation there are waste reduction, fast set-up, automated color management, and reduced manual interventions. Other possible steps in advancing technology will happen through the application of artificial intelligence and machine learning. For example, AI tools and programs make the design procedure autonomous; at the same time those tools can help by enabling identification of defective products so they can be easily removed from the final product.

Sustainability factor

The biggest challenge facing brand owners is meeting the changing landscape regarding packaging sustainability, and in particular embracing the complexity of emerging directives if operating across different countries and regions. Just thinking about the recent updates of the Packaging & Packaging Waste Regulation in Europe that has brought new challenges which will clearly need to be addressed in the coming years. The introduction of design for recycling requirements will draw attention to label and container compatibility, in terms of material, inks, adhesive, and size coverage.

Following customers’ requirements, self-adhesive label manufacturers are approaching and developing new solutions that are more ecological, but at the same time are also more economical and efficient. In order to achieve these goals, the main way is to reduce the amount of material used. Release liner, that is used as carrier for labels, fulfil a crucial role in the production, conversion, and application of self-adhesive products. But after fulfilling their role in this process, used liners still have a role to play as valuable feedstock for new processes and products. Currently, many projects based on release liner recycling have been developing, in order to collect proportion of spent release liner for reuse or recycling. Release liner recycling is environmentally friendly: it contributes to the reduction of the ‘footprint’ of the label company.

During the last edition FINAT European Label Forum, it emerged that label waste has been a challenge for the labelling industry for decades. Each year, millions of tons of label waste are sent to landfills and incinerators. Recycling programs like CELAB can reduce label waste. But the best solution – for our industry and for the planet – is to ultimately eliminate liners altogether. Particularly in the food sector, designers and printers are facing another challenge regarding the finite space limits of labels. In fact, international health and safety legislation will require space on labels. This will encourage the use of multilayer leaflet labels and clear-film labels on clear-container substrates, giving products the ‘no-label’ look and making back-printing on the label possible. Label printing is reflecting the important role of digital technology in everyday life.

From May 28 to June 7, 2024 in Düsseldorf, Germany, exhibitors at drupa will present new printing and finishing systems for labels production. Visitors will discover sustainable and innovative solutions for the future of the label industry.

Monadnock Paper Mills Appoints Dr. Heather Starkey as Research Scientist

November 7, 2023

Press release submitted by Monadnock Paper Mills

Monadnock Paper Mills, Inc., the oldest continuously operating paper mill in the United States, is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Heather Starkey to the role of Research Scientist.

Starkey will leverage her wide range of professional and academic expertise to work closely with the manufacturing and sales departments in developing the next generation of sustainable and durable materials for the printing and packaging industries.

“Dr. Starkey is an ideal choice to help drive Monadnock’s efforts in introducing highest-quality materials for our growing customer base,” said Rajan Iyer, Vice President of Research Development and Technical Service, Monadnock.

Starkey has worked at Georgia-Pacific, Chung Hwa Pulp Corporation, and most recently Ingredion, where she led cross-functional product teams developing new starch technologies for adhesive applications and barrier coatings. She earned bachelor of science degrees in Pulp and Paper Engineering and Chemical Engineering from North Carolina State University, where she also earned her doctorate in Forest Biomaterials.

“I’m delighted to join my new colleagues and get to work crafting 21st century solutions that meet the high reputational standards of the marketplace – I’m up for this new and exciting adventure,” said Starkey.

Muller Martini Introduces the Antaro Perfect Binder Platform

October 29, 2023

Press release submitted on behalf of Muller Martini

Muller Martini, a pioneer in print finishing solutions, is proud to unveil the Antaro perfect binder, available in two versions. This groundbreaking new binder platform redefines efficiency and versatility within a smaller footprint.

A Perfect Binder for Every Need
Muller Martini’s Antaro binder is designed to meet the evolving demands of the print industry for both on-demand and conventional, offset applications:

· Antaro Digital: For digital finishing applications, the Antaro Digital stands in a class of its own, producing print-on-demand books at an unparalleled rate of up to 2,000 cycles per hour – an industry-leading achievement, while requiring minimal staffing.

· Antaro: For offset print applications, the Antaro delivers at an impressive rate of up to 4,000 cycles per hour. Its robust performance makes it the perfect choice for short-run offset production in small spaces.

Unparalleled Flexibility and Investment Protection
The Antaro platform brings flexibility and investment protection to the forefront. Its modular, expandable design caters to both digital nearline/inline production and conventional production environments:

· Antaro Digital: This version takes single book production to a new level, offering automation with manual feed or inline connection to the SigmaLine Compact digital book production system. With six clamps, it achieves an impressive output of 2,000 books per hour. Plus, its compact design delivers the same output with fewer than half the operators required by current single-book production solutions.

· Antaro: When combined with a gatherer and equipped with 12 clamps, the Antaro shines in offset runs, delivering an output of 4,000 cycles per hour.

Efficiency through Automation
Both Antaro models feature a continuously running swing clamp system, ensuring the smooth horizontal transport of book blocks through the machine. The Antaro Digital’s unique clamp design enables the continuous production of brochures with varying block thicknesses of up to 20 mm, all at the highest performance level. These thickness variations are changed automatically, ensuring an unsurpassed productivity rate of up to 2,000 copies per hour for digitally printed products.

Exceptional Quality Guaranteed
The Antaro is equipped with two spine preparation stations, guaranteeing the highest quality book binding. The system utilizes EVA and PUR adhesives, backed by a glue monitoring system in the PUR nozzle for precise glue application. Replacing the gluing units is straightforward, enhancing maintenance efficiency.

The Antaro Digital features a newly designed drum coverfeeder coupled with a cover buffer wheel for reliable separation of covers and uninterrupted production through continuous feeding. Its barcode reader ensures a exact 100% match between book blocks and covers. The system’s buffer wheel creates sufficient distance for barcode reading, enabling automatic responses in case of mismatches without interrupting the binding process. Together with the standard cover reject feature positioned in front of the scoring device, this system achieves a new level of productivity through waste reduction.

Unrivaled Versatility
The Antaro platform flawlessly combines trusted technology from Muller Martini with innovative features. It accommodates all conventional types of book blocks, including signature stacks, pre-glued or thread-sewn book blocks, as well as single-sheet stacks. Even without an inline connection, manual feeding is ergonomic and efficient. The platform surpasses other systems available today with its exceptional end-product delivery capabilities, spanning softcover brochures, hardcover book blocks, flex brochures, glued book blocks, and layflat brochures. Set to redefine the print finishing landscape, it offers unmatched efficiency, quality, and adaptability.

AmericaPack Summit Returns in February 2024 Following a Remarkable Success in October 2023

October 29, 2023

Press release submitted on behalf of AmericaPack Summit

The AmericaPack Summit, one of the premier events in the packaging industry, is set to return in February 2024 after achieving resounding success in its previous edition held in October 2023 in Chicago. This eagerly awaited event promises to once again bring together leading professionals, innovators, and industry experts in the field of packaging.

The AmericaPack Summit, a significant platform for networking, knowledge sharing, and collaboration, is known for setting new industry standards and shaping the future of packaging. The upcoming event, scheduled for February 2024, is expected to be even more remarkable, building on the accomplishments of the previous edition.

The February 2024 AmericaPack Summit is expected to build on this strong foundation and deliver an event of even greater magnitude. Attendees can look forward to:

Informative Sessions: Expert speakers will discuss the evolving landscape of the packaging industry, emphasizing sustainability, circular economy practices, and emerging trends. Attendees will gain valuable insights to keep their businesses competitive.

Unrivalled Networking: The summit will offer extensive networking opportunities, enabling participants to forge new connections, meet potential partners, and expand their professional horizons.

“AmericaPack Summit was a great experience and covered relevant packaging industry topics and concerns. We were afforded quality/time to have more meaningful conversations and to build our professional networks. Highly organized and highly professional. I definitely recommend.” – Director, Packaging Development, Beautycounter

The AmericaPack Summit in February 2024 will be held in San Antonia on February 1-2.

For more information and to register for the event, please visit the official AmericaPack Summit website here.

About AmericaPack Summit:

The AmericaPack Summit is a premier event in the packaging industry that provides a platform for knowledge sharing, networking, and collaboration among professionals, innovators, and experts in the field of packaging. The summit aims to set industry standards, foster innovation, and address the challenges of the packaging industry.

Scodix and Ricoh Establish a Strategic Partnership

October 22, 2023

Press release submitted on behalf of Scodix

Scodix, the leading provider of digital print solutions for the graphic arts industry, is pleased to announce that Ricoh USA, Inc., a digital information services provider and major print industry player, has become a distributor for Scodix in the United States. This strategic partnership will strengthen and support Scodix in its goal of expanding market presence and providing economic and sustainable embellishment solutions to a larger network of print providers.

Scodix and Ricoh celebrate the new partnership at Printing United, Atlanta.

“This partnership is a deliberate step forward in providing maximum value to our customers, empowering them to increase the worth of their printed products,” says Gavin Jordan-Smith, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Head of Global Sales Strategy Division & RICOH Graphic Communications North America Sales, RICOH Graphic Communications. “Including Scodix embellishment solutions within our portfolio supports our competitive approach, delivering applications to the market that can catapult printers in their quest for competitive differentiation and heightened brand awareness.”

Scodix offers a variety of tools that enable brands to achieve a high level of luxury and customization in their print products and packaging. With an extensive range of top-tier embellishment options, including Smart High Definition (SHD) quality, and independently verified sustainability practices, Scodix has the capability to enhance the consumer experience, while also providing measurable economic and environmental benefits.

“Ricoh has a stellar reputation of understanding market needs in the graphic communications space, making them a perfect partner for Scodix,” said Mark Nixon, EVP Global Sales & Marketing at Scodix. “This collaboration allows us to work together to meet customer needs and create a portfolio that stands out with the goal of increasing profits through embellishment. Scodix has an easy go-to-market solution that supports the graphic arts community in providing printed products that effectively engage their audiences. With the wide range of embellishment effects achieved on a single Scodix press, we are able to offer businesses an opportunity for embellishment that was once considered too expensive. With Scodix, production costs and waste are minimized through the most sustainable methodology in the market.”

With an impressive 90%[1] of commercial printers anticipating that embellishment will play a vital role in their digital print growth strategies, Scodix’ Ultra series of digital presses presents an opportunity for both in-plant and commercial print operations including book publishers, direct mail printers, prototypers, trade finishers, packaging, and folding carton printers.

The Scodix range of digital enhancement solutions seamlessly aligns with Ricoh’s award-winning sheet-fed digital press portfolio. This ensures that adding Scodix to a Ricoh digital press delivers top-quality embellishments for high-end luxury prints designed to captivate attention, bolster commercial print profits, and rival both the economics and quality of conventional methods.

[1] taktiful REPORT: Digital Embellishment Trends in a Covid World 2022

Couple Says ‘I Do’ to Custom, Luxury Wedding Invitations

September 11, 2023

By Erin La Row, editor, PostPress

A wedding invitation is a first glimpse at a couple’s wedding day. It sets the tone for the ceremony before guests ever arrive. Alexia Vondrachek and the team at Prettiest Pixel, located in Shawnee, Kansas, design and produce luxury wedding stationery. The company takes classic, luxury invitations and adds a modern element. Each design is as unique as the clients it works with.

The Prettiest Pixel team was approached by a wedding planner to provide a quote for the wedding planner’s clients, Matthew and Santos.

“The production goals were to execute a perfect and high-quality design that is representative of our work but in line with Matthew and Santo’s vision of the perfect wedding invitation,” Vondrachek said.

The design needed to be dark but formal, trendy and modern at the same time.

“We needed design elements that were not too feminine but bold and high-end in concept,” Vondrachek said. “We chose a leathery textured paper underneath the main invitation to enhance the overall design.”

Vondrachek designed and created the graphics in Adobe Illustrator. At times, pieces of stock art were used to fill in small details for the wreath or crests. “And at times, they were purely illustrated by me or our other designer, Nikole Williams,” Vondrachek said.

The design team used Stardream cover stocks and Sirio Ultra Black for a stunning dark black finish on the envelopes. The team then used digital white printing for the writing. “We love using white printing to finish off any detail,” Vondrachek said.

The main invitation was made of a flexible clear acrylic and finished with hot foil stamping in gold. The remainder of the items were made from Stardream Papers, which Vondrachek said run well on Prettiest Pixel’s laser printers.

Embellishments include gold foil on the acrylic that then was placed over a deep black, textured background, providing a unique presentation for a wedding invitation. Vondrachek said the white printing also is unique given it was printed in-house using a German supplier for the toner on a small HP Laserjet printer. Other embellishments include the custom wax seal and engraving.

“That was the perfect accent and one of our favorite things to do for our clients,” Vondrachek said. “The challenge with that is we have to use very specific temps on the wax so the seal is done without defect. Heidi Muder-Hoang, our head of foiling, is perfect at that!”

In addition to the HP printer, the team used a Xerox printer and Metallic Elephant clamshell hot foil machine for the hot foil stamping. Ribbons and quality adhesives for the liners that are clean, clear and easy to apply with speed helped complete the project. With all of the assembly done by hand, Vondrachek said it takes a sharp eye.

“Ultimately, the production has to be perfect, and the borders are really the challenging part. I think all pressmen and women can get on board with that! Being in the wedding industry is a challenge at times due to the fact that we have to be perfect at all times with our production,” Vondrachek said.

The result was a stunning invitation the clients and judges loved. The Prettiest Pixel’s acrylic invitation took home gold for Best Use of Foil/Embossing – Announcement/Invitation (Creative) in the 30th Annual FSEA Gold Leaf Awards.

Selling and Marketing Digital Embellishments

September 1, 2023

By Jeff Peterson, editor-in-chief, PostPress

Digital embellishments are a growing segment of the total print embellishment industry. What has been interesting to see is that the growth has had little impact on most other embellishment techniques, such as hot and cold foil or screen spot UV coatings. Many of the digital applications have been on new projects for which, in the past, the designers likely would not have chosen foil or spot coatings based on run size.

Several current members of the Foil & Specialty Effects Association (FSEA) that have been traditional print finishers have stepped into the digital embellishment arena. They have found that, in many cases, selling digital embellishments takes a different approach than traditional methods. Kevin Abergel of Taktiful sat down with Steven Roberts, president, and Bryce Poremba, sales manager, at Elite Print Finishing in Burlington, North Carolina, to discuss the addition of digital embellishment technology at Elite and how it has been implemented into the current print finishing business.

How has the addition of digital embellishments to the operation opened up new business opportunities for Elite Print Finishing?

Roberts: There was a moment of “what just happened” when the JETvarnish was installed. It definitely has been a positive addition to Elite Print Finishing and for our team. There were a few challenges out of the gate, like anything, but it absolutely opened up new markets for us. It opened up new discussions with existing accounts prior to the new technology going in, and one of big positives was that it began feeding other processes downstream in our operation. It provided us more diecutting, film laminating and other processes – both on the commercial and packaging side.

Poremba: I think Steven hit on it – it’s advanced our business in other ways. The JETvarnish has been awesome for me as a salesperson. We bought the press right before the COVID-19 pandemic, so as a salesperson I wasn’t able to get a lot of meetings set up. Having a new piece of technology with cool samples meant we were able to go in and show companies something they had never seen. All of a sudden, it gave us a reason to start a conversation, a reason for us to get on a Zoom® call and send out samples, a reason for us to get in the door. It was a great way in the door that also advanced our business in other ways as well. Overall, it was a blessing in disguise.

Roberts: It certainly re-energized what we were doing, and I think it had a very positive effect on our core customer base.

What specific markets or industries seem to be a good fit for this kind of finishing – meaning digitally-based embellishments?

Poremba: We definitely see some overlap with what we currently do, so it allows us to go to our current customers and have a new application – something that jumps off the shelf even more than what we’ve done in the past. However, it doesn’t work for everyone.

I would say the biggest space that we see growth in right now is probably the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries. There is so much competition on the shelf in those two industries that it seems like everybody is competing with each other to make the most vibrant and exciting carton. Sometimes the difference can be that embellishment, that person being able to pick it up and touch and feel 3D-raised coating on the front that really makes it stand out above the competition.

Roberts: A lot of brand owners are putting their product into a carton. So, the look of the carton, in a lot of cases, is going to build a perception that’s going to be the winner on the retail shelf. Shelf appeal is key.

College recruiting is another potential new market. All of these universities are competing, not just in football and basketball. They are competing to get students enrolled so they can capitalize on the dollars coming in. The touch and feel of the materials can be a huge selling point. With a lot of brands, they look at it as if it feels better, it must be better. That has been one of the biggest differences – that digital embellishments not only affect the visual sense but the touch sense as well.

One of the obstacles of offering digital embellishments is making sure the artwork is designed correctly. How has this challenge been handled when working with customers?

Poremba: It is a completely new technology, so there is a learning curve. I’m familiar with the technology and have been there through the hurdles as the press was new and we were learning how the different coatings go on different substrates or the different foils react better with certain things. I have a good understanding of the technology, but that’s still hard to sometimes translate to customers and their designers because it’s new.

We have brought a designer on board who is 3D-certified. Sometimes it’s easier just to hand it over to that team member. And we have the customer connect over a Zoom meeting to answer questions, which we do for beginner projects. Our 3D designers have developed a generic PDF that converts to an artificial intelligence (AI) file and explains to our customers how to build a generic template with 3D varnish as well as 3D foil.

Elite Print Finishing offers a 3D certification program for designers. Explain what that is.

Roberts: It is a win-win situation. We are bringing designers into our facility and then having them qualified. At the end of it, they get a certificate that they can market to their customer base. And, subliminally, hopefully, Elite is getting better artwork out of the gate.

As with any process, there are limitations with digital embellishments. How can limitations, such as substrate choices and font size, be communicated by designers and buyers?

Poremba: From a broad perspective, the difficulty has been who we’re selling this technology to. In the past, as a trade finisher, our sales team has met with somebody who controls outsourcing for diecutting, foil stamping, etc. Many times, this is a buyer who is familiar with the technologies and knows our presses. It’s very simple, right?

Now we are having to go after either the sales team or the design team at our printing companies or packaging companies, and we’ve had to teach ourselves how to connect with those people. We have to change the way in which we sell to our customers.

Roberts: With foil stamping, we can pretty much provide any color out there under the sun. With digital foils, we now have about 13 different foil colors. Also, there certainly are limitations to using uncoated stocks. If a customer wants an uncoated stock, we will try to steer them to a lamination or a GPA stock that’s out there that we have tested.

Another limitation with digital embellishments can be run length. We certainly run into those roadblocks where the quantity makes better sense to do it conventionally. This is what we have to get across to our designers, so they understand the advantages and the limitations.

Poremba: When we first bought this technology, we thought that it was going to be our solution for 50 sheets or 100 sheets. Then we started to see that there was this whole other group of customers who want to capitalize off the 3D feel and different look that digital embellishment gives.

Explain a few of the major benefits of digital embellishment technology?

Poremba: I think the major benefit is the 3D effect capability of digital. From the foil side, we are not making an impression on sheets. So, for projects where there is print on both sides, there are advantages. But on the foil side, we also have the challenge of a limited number of foil colors that we have to choose from. For certain jobs, we stick with the traditional foil stamping and then utilize the 3D digital coatings.

Roberts: I love foil. I’ve been foiling for a long time, and I love the full effect. However, I absolutely love what the 3D varnish does. We are not talking about just giving someone an embossed look – we’re talking about really transforming the inks.

This article was transcribed from a portion of a recent FSEA/Digital Embellishment Alliance podcast and edited for style. Thank you to Kevin Abergel, Taktiful (www.taktiful.com) and Steven Robertson and Bryce Poremba, Elite Print Finishing (www.epfink.com) for their assistance with the podcast and article.

To watch this complete video podcast and others on digital embellishments, visit www.fsea.com and click on the Digital Embellish link. It will provide access to the Digital Embellishment Alliance website community where FSEA/DEA members can have access to the video library, DEA groups, and other resources.