The Top 5 Packaging Impressions Stories from 2020

2020 has been a year like no other, and was certainly nothing we had anticipated at this time last year. Through the tragedies and challenges however, the package printing sector not only saw success amidst the chaos, it proved that when it comes to essential industries, packaging is as important as ever. So as we wind down 2020 and eagerly await 2021, here is a look back at the top 5 most visited Packaging Impressions articles, as determined by you, our readers.

1. Package Printers and Converters Step Up in Nation’s Time of Need

Our most read article this year was posted in the early days of the pandemic, and shared the stories of several package printers contending with the new realities of COVID-19. For this story, we spoke with Poly Print, Steinhauser, and Flextec, and learned how they took swift action to ensure their essential labels and packaging still made it out the door during a challenging time.

2. American Packaging Corporation’s Growing Commitment to Gravure

Rotogravure printing technology may be more common in other parts of the world, but American Packaging Corporation has emerged as a leading gravure printer right here in the U.S. In fact, its DeForest, Wis. facility is dedicated entirely to gravure printing, and even welcomed in two new presses earlier this year. Not only do these presses provide the superior quality gravure is known for, they have positive sustainability attributes as well.

3. Label Industry Notes Passing of Tom Staib (1964-2020), President of DWS Printing Associates

The label industry was dealt a devastating blow in October with the sudden passing of Tom Staib, president of DWS Printing Associates. Staib, a highly-regarded figure in the label and shrink sleeve segments, known for his embrace of new technologies, cutting-edge business acumen, and positive demeanor, was instrumental in expanding New York-based DWS into the Austin, Texas market. Senior editor Patrick Henry spoke with those closest to Staib, who shared their fond remembrances.

4. How Faces Behind Masks Uses Digital Printing to Bring the Human Touch Back to Hospitals

An inspiring story about the power of print, Faces Behind Masks is an initiative started in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic to provide digitally-printed stickers of medical professionals’ faces to adhere to their PPE. Rafi Albo, global creative director and head of connected packaging for CCL Industries, helped launch the initiative as a way to bring comfort to patients and hospital employees, as the need for masks has inhibited patients from seeing their doctors’ and nurses’ faces.

5. Maxcess and RotoMetrics Find Complementary Attributes in Merger

Two major suppliers of packaging industry equipment announced a merger earlier this year as RotoMetrics joined the Maxcess International organization. With the integration of RotoMetrics’s dies and cylinders, Maxcess rounded out its product offerings with end-to-end solutions for web handling. Packaging Impressions spoke with Odd Joergenrud, CEO of Maxcess, to find out more about the merger.