Artwork Systems

TOKYO, Japan—EskoArtwork, a global market leader in design, pre-production, collaboration, and finishing solutions for the packaging, commercial printing, and sign and display industry, has relocated its Tokyo office to a new and more spacious location. Serving as the central base for all Japanese operations, the move is a logical next step to support anticipated growth and better serve EskoArtwork’s expanding customer base across the region. Based in the Shinjuku I-Land Tower in Tokyo, the new EskoArtwork office provides a strategic location for its sales, marketing, customer support and logistics activities. Equipped with a state-of-the-art demonstration facility and technical assistance center, it offers extensive support

Trends in flexo platemaking reflect two things: the dwindling number of users who favor analog workflows over digital and those who already have made the transition to digital—and never looked back. Trends in digital flexo platemaking shake out between users who prefer solvent-based workflows and those who have already made, or are seriously contemplating, the switch to thermal. In the world of flexo platemaking, options are proliferating. By the time “The Greatest Show On Earth” rolls in and out of Düsseldorf this spring, flexo shops will have more choices than ever to help them achieve the results they want. Advantage: Digital According to Ian

MILAN, Italy—Nineteen leading companies have decided to join forces and resources to set up a partnership under the name “Flexo4All,” which is an evolution of “Flexo the Alternative,” an agreement between independent businesses initiated by DuPont Packaging Graphics (DuPont™ Cyrel®) more than 20 years ago. It is a strategic cooperation which combines worldwide expertise from independent companies—suppliers of the graphic arts and package printing industry. The members work together in partnership, sharing their experience and knowledge to perfect flexographic package printing while also promoting advantages and innovation. “Flexo is no longer just an alternative to other printing processes and ‘Flexo4All’ was chosen to suggest

Thinking ‘inline the box’ in Charlotte Inline was the word of the day at the Gallus/BHS Folding Carton Technology Seminar in Charlotte, N.C, in November. About 50 attendees, including North and South American folding carton manufacturers and paperboard converters, learned “How to add value to the box while improving efficency.” Klaus Bachstein, CEO, Gallus Group, kicked off the afternoon with a presentation on the Gallus/BHS inline philosophy. He explained that creating finished diecut blanks with a web-based system in a single pass optimizes workflow, simplifies handling, saves time, and boosts cost-effectiveness. He said it also allows for improved effeciency and process flexibility. Speakers included

PHILADELPHIA—In mid-November, packagePRINTING headed to Gent, Belgium to indulge in some of the best chocolate in the world, but more importantly, for a special event hosted by EskoArtwork. The “EskoArtwork Solutions @ Work” forum was held to officially introduce the newly merged company, a union of Esko and Artwork Systems. To kick off the event on the morning of Nov. 15, EskoArtwork management held a press conference at its headquarters to discuss the merger and what is ahead for the company. Carsten Knudsen, CEO of EskoArtwork, explained the company’s vision for the future through its new mission statement: “To be the leading solutions integrator

Brand recognition and integrity depend on packaging. The need for faster makeready, on-time delivery, and reductions in cost and waste places a premium on predictable results and comparable quality independent of location, substrate, or printing process. The primary goal of color management, therefore, is to reproduce predictable, repeatable, consistent color across a range of devices and media from the time a file enters the workflow until it is reproduced on press. Because proof, plate, and print must deliver identical results, color management touches every part of the print or packaging workflow. As such, it relies on a range of tools including calibration devices, prepress

ELGIN, Ill.—Following the success of its 2005 event, AB Graphic International will host a second open house at its U.S. location in Elgin, Illinois with participation from key industry partners including HP, EskoArtwork, and Avery Dennison. The event will be held Nov. 6 and repeated in the same format on Nov. 7 and 8 from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. A special event hosted by HP will take place on the evening of Nov. 6. The open house will give attendees the opportunity to see a range of equipment that will include RFID and related converting technology, turret rewinding, converting, and 100 percent inspection

ELGIN, Ill.—Following the success of its 2005 event, AB Graphic International will host a second open house at its USA location in Elgin, Illinois with participation from key industry partners including HP, Esko, and Avery Dennison. The event will be held Nov. 6 and repeated in the same format on Nov. 7 and 8 from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. A special event hosted by HP will take place on the evening of Nov. 6. The open house will give attendees the opportunity to see a range of equipment that will include RFID and related converting technology, turret rewinding, converting, and 100 percent inspection

The concept of workflow is probably easier to understand than it is to define. Workflow incorporates the many step-by-step decisions and deliverables that are required from the original concept stage through production—in the case of printing, the printed product. Workflow automation is somewhat easier to define. It incorporates a variety of tools—within each workflow segment—that are available to help users maximize efficiencies, drive down costs, and reduce the impact of human error, leading to faster time to market. Most commercial prepress workflows account for basic production steps that include trapping, screening, and imposition, along with color management, proofing, and platemaking. Packaging workflows differ from

CHICAGO—EskoArtwork, a merger of Esko and Artwork Systems, made its first public apperance at Graph Expo 2007. The company, which specializes in design, pre-production, and collaboration solutions for the packaging and commercial printing industries, demonstrated its solutions based on Artwork Systems, Enfocus, and Esko products. The company launched a series of major updates to its industry leading software products, including Nexus 8.6, ArtPro 8.6, Odystar 3.0, Neo 1.2, and WebWay 5.0. Each new version incorporates a host of new and improved features. Featured solutions also included Equinox and Concentric screening technologies. “This is an exciting time for EskoArtwork. For years, professionals in the packaging