Flexographic Printing - Narrow Web

packagePRINTING revisits Label and packaging converter Innovative Labeling Solutions (ILS) since being featured in the magazine's July 2008 issue, to ask again about the company's digital printing business, its accomplishments and what the future might hold.

Today’s anilox roller technology has grown to be much more than a transfer roller for colorants. It is a versatile tool in many decorative and coating applications. Anilox rollers are now being used to create high opacity whites and base coats for flexible packaging, tactile coatings for raised-imaged varnishes, as well as applying coatings and adhesives for cold foil and multiple other decorative applications.

In today's challenging business environment, folding carton manufacturers' profits are getting squeezed. Customers demand better quality, lower quantities, just-in-time (JIT) delivery, sustainability, and more point-of-sale "pop," all at a lower price. Yet, many converters are trying to meet today's challenges with yesterday's manufacturing processes, causing bottom-line profitability to suffer.

Being a supplier to the pharmaceutical industry is not for the faint of heart. It's a high-stakes, highly regulated industry that requires the utmost in manufacturing discipline and control.

Burlington, N.C.-based Labels Tags & Inserts Inc. (LTI) produces a wide range of products that one would expect to find coming out of shops several times its size.

ST. LOUIS—MAX, the customer service and support team of Mark Andy Inc., introduced the “Gear UP” program for its Mark Andy 2200 customer base. Designed to help converters prepare for the economic turnaround, MAX is offering discounts on “Gear UP” Parts Kits, through October 16, 2009.

LEWIS CENTER, Ohio—Multi-Plastics, Inc. has added paper and film-faced pouch materials to its mono-web flexible packaging product line. As narrow-web flexographic converters continue to diversify and expand into flexible packaging, Multi-Plastics has researched and aligned themselves with an experienced manufacturer of laminated structures.

ST. LOUIS—Mark Andy Inc. announced that the company had strong sales during first quarter 2009. North American sales volume for Comco, Mark Andy, Rotoflex and UVT equipment was higher than the prior year with international sales following suit.

"Mark Andy Inc. is excited to support our customers as they enhance their operations and enter into new projects," said Paul Brauss, president and CEO. "We credit our clients for their tenacity in weathering this environment and advancing their technologies, and we appreciate their confidence in us to be their equipment provider."

ST. LOUIS, Mo.—Spectrum Label Corporation has installed the first shaftless Mark Andy XP5000 press, which was introduced at Labelexpo Americas 2008.

If you want to highlight an important growth segment that promises to expand the use of film materials, start with pouches. Pouch configurations using laminated film structures are providing consumer product companies (CPCs) with unique opportunities to reduce supply chain costs, while offering consumers distinct packaging, convenience, and ease of use.