Vying to Add Value

"Letterpress still gives better registration, and offers a shorter web path for less paper waste when problems arise," he contends, recommending a CI drum press design for simpler threading and registration, and faster clean-up.

Printers of pharmaceutical packaging, in particular, are coming back to letterpress, with others going from flexo to letterpress just to set themselves apart from their competition, Notches notes. "Customers are calling for quotes and stating that letterpress is a firm need, not just a fishing expedition."