August 2001 Issue
Assembly Required? (PDF workflow)
Packaging's path to PDF has most commonly involved software add-ons. Will new all-in-one workflows change that? by Jessica Millward, Associate Editor THOUGH COMMERCIAL printers have jumped wholeheartedly on the PDF bandwagon, their packaging brethren have been less enthusiastic. Concerns regarding PDF's suitability for packaging prepress have thus far encouraged hopefuls to add on PDF elements, rather than invest in "one-stop shopping" products. Packaging-specific capabilities bundled within new all-in-one systems, however, should enlist a legion of PDF converts. "When it comes to software solutions, the packaging market has been the orphan of the printing industry," laments Bert van Hoof, VP/engineering, ScenicSoft. Unfortunately, the
Contract and Expand (Contract Converters)
Contract converters' outsourcing arm helps printers branch out. by Kate Tomlinson, Assistant Editor THE COMPLEXITY OF PRINT JOBS is increasing right along with the pressure to meet shorter turn-around times. Contract converters offer an abundance of services to help printers ease the deadline crush, and avoid unnecessary production expenses. How do printers know when it's time to put out the call for converting assistance? "Any company that asks themselves, 'Do I need the services of a contract converter?' has already answered their own question," says Dan Weiss, VP, A.H. Weiss Co. But with hundreds of potential converting partners to choose from, how can
Film Buffs
Rotoflex slitter/rewinders ease tension for CCL Label. by Jessica Millward, Associate Editor With recent design and print triumphs such as Dannon's drinkable yogurt shrink sleeve and the award-winning Spinformation® pharmaceutical label construction, CCL Label has continued to command the attention (and business) of leading consumer products companies. CCL's penchant for high-end, high-impact labels recently led management at its Shelton, CT-based facility to a search for new, specialized slitting/rewinding equipment to better handle the latest in label manufacture. Early this year, Shelton determined its production load—90 percent film-based labels—demanded more efficient, up-to-date slitting/rewinding capabilities. After examining the options, CCL decided to procure equipment common
Press Life Preserver
For minimum day-to-day operation and clean-up hassles, follow these five steps to long-term letterpress maintenance. by Jessica Millward, Associate Editor 1. The line-up The path to relatively painless letterpress printing begins before the operator even reports for duty. How the press's daily "To Do" list is constructed plays a major part in the number of cleaning and changing procedures required, and therefore serves as a great opportunity to conserve print "energy." Ko-Pack Service Engineer Pat Bowdy counts job planning as the printer's first shot at the shortest downtime possible. He recommends configuring job sequence to minimize color changes, as well as planning ahead
Shocking Solutions
Static has a knack for wreaking havoc on even basic printing applications. Here, suppliers offer a range of remedies. by Kate Tomlinson, Assistant Editor WHAT'S YOUR WORST static nightmare? Several package printers recently shared theirs with packagePRINTING. They follow below, along with static control suppliers' strategies for remedying the issues at hand. Static Attack #1: Is it slowing you down? Problem: "We found that especially while working with sheeted polystyrene or clear BOPP, we were having a lot of trouble stacking and jogging the product as it came off the press. Due to all the static these materials hold, we were only
