By Chris Raney, Heidelberg USA There is no better way to enhance the visual appeal of a folding carton than by adding a foil element to the printed image. The process lends products an air of luxury intended to grab a consumer's attention. Hot foil stamping substantially ups the ante by creating a pleasing visual and tactile experience that is the result of combining relief … [Read more...] about Troubleshooting the Foil Stamping Process
Troubleshooting
Q&A: Foiling Over UV Coatings
This Q&A exchange was extracted from the Foil & Specialty Effects Association HelpLinks forum, an online resource whereby FSEA members can ask questions about challenging projects or conduct research on machinery or supplies and receive advice from the online FSEA community. Question: We recently came across a "problem project" involving a cover of a perfect … [Read more...] about Q&A: Foiling Over UV Coatings
The Marriage of Board and Adhesives
by Dave Senter, Eska Graphic Board USA B.V. One of the most popular questions I get now that I'm in the graphic board industry – and it's a question I often received when I was in the adhesive industry, too – is, "What's the proper amount of adhesive to use?" The answer is that it depends on a lot of factors. Factors Affecting the Adhesive/Board Bond There are different … [Read more...] about The Marriage of Board and Adhesives
Stable Product Transport Important to Finishing Operations
by Mark Talley, Precision Finishing Systems One item that often gets overlooked when finishing operations decide to get into affixing or tipping applications is the transport. Many people want to use an old base or conveyor they have sitting around to save a few bucks and don't realize that the very expensive, highly accurate tipping/affixing feeder they just purchased is only … [Read more...] about Stable Product Transport Important to Finishing Operations
Troubleshooting Common Cutting Problems
by: Jen Clark Dull blades cause cutting problems, and so do poor maintenance, lack of proper operator training and insufficient knowledge of safety procedures. Bruce Peterson knows this. The self-proclaimed "Cutter Doctor," who also happens to be president and CEO of Colter & Peterson, Inc., Paterson, NJ, knows a thing or two about paper cutters. He said most cutter … [Read more...] about Troubleshooting Common Cutting Problems
Metallic Finishes and Bindery Challenges
by: Jeff Peterson Although metallized finishes have been an eye-catching advantage for packaging and direct mail for many years, there has been a surge on the demand for foil in recent months. "Bling," as many refer to it, is in. You can see it in clothing, point-of-purchase displays and much more. Metallic Finishes Creating a metallic finish on printed products now can be … [Read more...] about Metallic Finishes and Bindery Challenges
Best Practices for Paper Cutter Knives
by: Woody Powers II, Jorson & Carlson A knife supplier or servicing company with expertise in knife quality, knife handling and product application, as well as the know-how to install cutting knives properly, can provide useful best practices to improve cut quality and increase knife life. In most cases, implementing new procedures will increase quality and production time … [Read more...] about Best Practices for Paper Cutter Knives
Pay It Forward with Needed Training and Preventive Maintenance
by: Steven Calov, Heidelberg USA Difficult economic conditions and depressed sales of new bindery equipment have imbued issues relating to maintenance and training with fresh urgency. Although binderies will always be production oriented, they also should understand that their ability to improve production efficiency and reduce their total cost of ownership is tied to … [Read more...] about Pay It Forward with Needed Training and Preventive Maintenance
Bindery Layout Advantages and Benefits
by Brad Emerson Creating layout concepts for bindery shop floors is one of the greatest opportunities for improving quality, operator efficiency, changeover time and planning for future machine expansions or upgrades. Advantages to Efficient Shop Floor Layouts 1. Improving Quality How many times has a bindery manager brainstormed ways to increase the frequency with which … [Read more...] about Bindery Layout Advantages and Benefits
Dealing with Static Electricity
by: Scott Shelton Static electricity is often the cause of problems encountered in the bindery, hampering production and affecting product quality. By having a basic understanding of static electricity and by utilizing ionization equipment to control or eliminate the static charges, most common problems can be tackled. What Causes Static Electricity? Static electricity is an … [Read more...] about Dealing with Static Electricity