Stork Prints America, Inc.

What hath computer-to-plate (CTP) wrought? Consider “in-the-round” imaging or ITR. The term refers to digitally imaged, continuous polymer printing sleeves that arguably are the future of flexography, and that already are opening up a number of attractive opportunities to printers and end users. Flexo sleeves not only work well with less expensive substrates, such as tissue, napkins, and paper towels, but provide excellent lay-down of solid and metallic inks. Advances in flexo sleeve technology are yielding similar opportunities in markets traditionally dominated by other processes—paper or foil gift-wrap (rubber flexo or gravure), folding cartons (offset or gravure), and shrink sleeves (gravure). In compiling

BOXMEER, The Netherlands—There is cause for much celebration at Stork Prints. The company’s direct laser engraving systems have officially reached the 20-year landmark. The very first laser engraving system, an STK LE2000 for screen-cylinder imaging, was installed this month in 1986 at the Lörrach plant of the German-Swiss textile manufacturing concern, KBC. The technology marked a major technological breakthrough for the pre-production stages, and the rotary screen printing process—it meant an image could be applied to the screen without film, and chemicals, and in a much shorter time. The specification of this system may seem modest compared with the standards of the very latest

There is cause for much celebration at Stork Prints. The company’s direct laser engraving systems have officially reached the 20-year landmark. The very first laser engraving system, an STK LE2000 for screen-cylinder imaging, was installed this month in 1986 at the Lörrach plant of the German-Swiss textile manufacturing concern, KBC. The technology marked a major technological breakthrough for the pre-production stages, and the rotary screen printing process—it meant an image could be applied to the screen without film, and chemicals, and in a much shorter time. The specification of this system may seem modest compared with the standards of the very latest high-powered laser

BOXMEER, Netherlands—The Stork Prints Group announces the acquisition of AKL Flexo Technik (based in Warburg, Germany), one of the leading producers and innovators of in-the-round flexo sleeves. Edward Scheppink has been appointed as the new managing director. He joins from Stork Prints where he was commercial manager for sleeve products at the company’s Boxmeer headquarters. He will also assume all commercial responsibilities, including sales and marketing activities. Also, Ronald van de Meer, with more than 16 years experience at AKL and one of the company’s co-founders has been appointed technical manager. Founded in 1990 and now employing 50 employess, AKL Flexotechnik supplies printing machine