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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

Converters looking to differentiate their capabilities with exciting and innovative imagery are making combination rotary screen printing their top choice. Next time you're playing bartender, look behind (literally) the dashing graphics on that bottle of margarita mix. Chances are you'll see a brilliant white or colored background printed with rotary screen. From food and beverage to health and beauty, rotary screen is laying the foundation for some of today's most exciting and innovative imagery. Since the 1980s, when it was first commercialized, rotary screen technology has found increasing favor in the label and package printing world. The main feature of screen printing—its ability to

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

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

These products and companies were the most sought-after in 2002 by packagePRINTING readers. Top 10: Prepress Equipment 1. Creo—PDF-based packaging workflow Prinergy Powerpack, copydot scanning systems, film imagers, and CtP devices 2. Agfa—Workflow and color management systems including the AgfaScan XY-15 Plus, Sherpa 43 Inkjet system, and Lithostar plates 3. Kodak Polychrome Graphics—Offers Digital and conventional plates, film, and proofing and color technologies including the Kodak Approval XP unit 4. BASF—Offers Nyloflex® and Nyloprint® equipment combinations for processing photopolymer flexo and letterpress plates and sleeves 5. MacDermid—Broad range of sheet, liquid, digital, and water-wash photopolymer plates, platemaking equipment, sleeves,

WITH WINTER WEATHER firmly in place, warmth is something that is on everyone's mind. Here's something that is sure to add some heat to 2004. packagePrinting has put together a collection of the hot products of 2004. In categories including prepress, presses, press accessories, substrates, and inks/adhesives, converters can get a glimpse of the latest package-printing products. Prepress Creo Creo's HyperFlex™ screening is new technology aiding in the formation of smaller dots on a photopolymer flexo plate. It provides a thicker foundation of photopolymer material that allows a smaller minimum dot size to be formed and held throughout the print process. DuPont

The printing possibilities on combination presses has a variety of end-users looking for more out of their applications. by Sean Riley, Associate Editor THE WORD IS now out on combination printing and customers are clamoring to their converters for more mileage out of their package printing. They want packaging that leaps off of store shelves and contains as much color, style, and information as is possible to produce. Combination narrow web presses have been at the forefront in fulfilling these needs quite well, but printers have found that their customers are insatiable when it comes to the combo process. Buyers from new markets

Top-Quality Printing Narrow-web flexo presses incorporate a variety of features that 'set the stage' for superior print quality. THIS YEAR'S JUDGING for packagePRINTING's Excellence Awards had the judges working overtime. The reason: the overall quality of the entries was just so good, virtually each entry had to be analyzed with a fine-tooth comb. Nowhere was this more evident than in the flexographic printing categories. It's obvious that the design improvements incorporated into today's flexo presses are being put to good use in the package printing industry. As usual, it is not just one upgrade that does the job, but a series of well-engineered

Label Technology President John Bankson can savor individual and collective accomplishments as his company turns 15. by Kate Tomlinson, Assistant Editor Congratulations are in order for Label Technology on several counts. As the company marks 15 years in the business, and revels in the installation of its latest printing press, the personality and personal touch of president and co-founder John Bankson deserve particular acclaim. Bankson's entrepreneurial spirit; positive "can do" attitude; and dedication to delivering consistent high quality and service in printed labels and packaging films have led Label Technology to outgrow two previous manufacturing facilities; skyrocket both its sales and employee base; and

Will combination presses boldly go where relatively few have gone before? by Jessica Millward, Associate Editor THOUGH COMBINATION PROCESS is now and will continue to be a strong contender in the package print market, that strength, at present, is concentrated in narrow-web applications, and configurations most commonly involving flexo/screen pairings. While machines outside this perimeter have been built, they are relatively rare. Here, suppliers summarize combo print possibilities for not-so-fully explored worlds. New World: Wider webs/CI formats Today's platform combo presses afford printers a considerable luxury: choice. The combo press's ability to print using different methods, in whatever order necessary, means the printer can