Straight & Narrow

Common ground with labels

Market dynamics such as shorter runs and more SKUs are familiar territory for label converters, but can be terra incognita for folding carton companies. The common ground for both is starting to be narrow-format presses. According to IT Strategies, narrow-web presses—which have largely been tailored to the pressure sensitive label market—can readily accommodate short run and small format folding carton production. What's more, narrow web presses commonly incorporate standard in-line conversion features such as die-cutting, creasing, and folding, along with print enhancement options such as coatings and lamination. Plus, they are designed to work with UV and aqueous inks at high quality levels using flexographic technology, which these days can often deliver print quality every bit as good as many offset presses.