Mark Andy

For narrow-web press manufacturers, slender is the way to go. by Joy English, Assistant Editor IN THE UNITED States, it seems as though almost everything comes in super-sized proportions, from french fries and sodas to trashbags and toilet paper. But increased numbers do not necessarily equate to increased value. Narrow-web press suppliers will agree. They are offering converters a "super-sized" value, without the extra inches. And converters looking for short-run flexibility with quick changeovers are finding that narrow-web presses are opening the door to increased flexibility and more options. Narrowing the field Narrow-web presses, generally less than 24˝ wide, are making short-runs and

Inkjet has stamped its place in commercial printing, but will it ever mean more than coding and marking in package printing? by Kate Sharon "DIGITAL" IS THE buzzword in package printing today. There's digital printing, and even some diecutting, anilox engraving, and platemaking processes have been digitalized. But digital printing—specifically inkjet—is on the minds of many in the industry, and everyone wants to know how the new technology stands up to its conventional counterparts. Inkjet basics More and more inkjet products, designed for packaging applications, come to market each year. While the technology itself attracts attention, its big price tag and muted capabilities often

Narrow-web label converters looking to expand into flexible packaging may want to consider press retrofitting as a first step—but there are tradeoffs. Imagine this: your first car is a '92 Ford Mustang, two-door with an obnoxious red interior. While it met your initial driving needs, you are ready for something better—a little extra power, a CD player, and maybe a sun roof. While right now purchasing a new car would be a real stretch, you know you can get some, but not all, of what you want by upgrading what you have. Converters running narrow-web presses designed for pressure-sensitive labels are facing a similar

One big round of applause for McDowell Label and Screen Printing, the 2003 TLMI Best of Show Award winner. For more than 26 years, the Tag & Label Manufacturers Institute (TLMI) has been hosting its annual awards competition. With numerous entry categories, a variety of companies enter multiple times. This year proved to be no different. With 273 entries, it's no wonder the judges continue to comment on how difficult it is to select category winners. "The show continues to get better each year," noted Mike Buystedt, judge and director of new market development at Azko Nobel Inks. "The labels

Experts say much of narrow-web flexo's growth lies in films, but converters must carefully choose technological tactics to combat the competition. "Paper or plastic?" used to be a standard question grocery shoppers would hear on their way through the checkout line. These days, many store clerks don't even bother to ask for a preference. Plastic bags have captured more than three-quarters of the grocery and convenience store market, and are often the only type of bag seen at the checkout. The grocery bag debate has long been closed, but "paper or plastic?" is becoming an ever-more-burning question for printers in

Shrink stock continues to steal the spotlight in the world of labels. TO EFFECTIVELY MARKET a consumer product, follow these directions: apply brightly printed shrink label to a smartly-shaped container and watch it fly off the store shelf. Okay, it's not that easy and maybe shrink sleeves aren't that good. But shrink labels are growing at an astounding rate, and their brilliant, 360° graphics and ability to contour to sleek container designs appeal to consumers. Simply put, shrink labels look good and sell their products. Endless possibilities Body labels such as shrink sleeves are expected to grow at a clip of about

A state-of-the-art facility and new printing capabilities add up to expanding business opportunities for Star Label Products. STAR LABEL PRODUCTS, a label printer located in Fairless Hills, Pa., operates with a customer-focused philosophy to provide the highest quality labels at a competitive price with a faster turnaround than its competition. Shev Okumus, president of the 30-year-old company, sums this up in more simple terms: "We bend over backwards for our customers." With customers covering a range of markets including pharmaceuticals, medical device manufacturers, food, health and beauty, and electronics, customer demands for high-quality, high-end labels and superior service are the rule rather than the

ELISHA TROPPER, PRESIDENT of Prestige Label Co., Inc., must have been real busy over the last three years. Under his direction, the company's plant in Burgaw, N.C. has been completely retooled—from front to back. The three-year, $3 million capital program had three key objectives: upgrade capabilities, infrastructure, and capacity. When the Tropper-family-owned Central Financial Group purchased the company, the plant consisted of six flexo presses and two slitter/rewinders. In addition, the plant produced flexo plates using a 25-year-old DuPont platemaking technology that consisted of step-and-repeat machines with cameras and films developed in pans. Tropper and VP of Plant Operations Tim Keegan planned and

THE SHEER SIZE and impeccable registration of the Domaine Chandon Brut corrugated preprint entry captured the attention of the 2003 Excellence Awards judges and this year's Best of Show prize. The package, produced by Inland Paperboard and Packaging, stands 75˝ tall with six panels printed across the web—a difficult undertaking, remarked Cordes Porcher of Smurfit-Stone Container and a 2003 Excellence Awards judge. "The registration across the web is very consistent," Porcher said, "and the size of the repeat is very large. As a result, the job was very difficult." Excellence Awards judge Roy Webb of Mark Andy added, "Because of the big sheet it

Digital printing is in its early stages of adoption in package printing, but it promises to add real value to any converter's capabilities. packagePRINTING POSED A series of questions to experts from companies that are actively involved in different aspects of digital printing. The following are their responses. pP: What are the main strengths that digital printing has to offer package printers? Chris Faust, director of business development, Chromas/Aquaflex: The main strength is variability—this can be in the form of barcodes, numbers, and languages. Don Bence, VP, labels and packaging, Xeikon America, Inc.: • Low cost proofing on actual substrates; • Very short runs