January 2002 Issue
ATTENDING TO ANILOXES
Anilox experts recommend their top handling procedures for optimum roll performance. compiled by Jessica Millward, Associate Editor • APPLY the proper amount of doctor blade pressure, BECAUSE excessive pressure prevents the anilox from delivering correct ink amount. -Brian Jacob, EVP/sales and marketing, Pamarco • REMOVE roll's protective wrap by hand, BECAUSE using a razor blade to cut through protective wrap might result in cell damage if excessive pressure is applied. -Art Ehrenberg, VP/operations, Harper Corp. • LOCK down gears evenly, BECAUSE even lock-down prevents broken anilox journals. -Wendy Rooks, sales manager, CTS Industries • ESTABLISH careful gear/bearing installation procedures, BECAUSE wiping bearing races and
packagePRINTING's 2001 HOT LIST
What products and companies were most sought-after in 2001 by packagePRINTING readers? Here's the scoop on the year's most-wanted technologies, ranked below based on responses to both editorial features and display advertising.*** TOP 10: Prepress Equipment 1. Anderson & Vreeland—Photopolymer plate processing systems, rubber plate molding presses, flexo platemaking materials, digital imaging systems and software 2. DuPont Cyrel—Photopolymer plate and prepress systems, including Cyrel FAST thermal technology 3. BASF—Nyloflex® and nyloprint® equipment combinations for processing flexo and letterpress plates and sleeves 4. MacDermid—Sheet, liquid, digital, and water-wash photopolymer plates, platemaking equipment, sleeves, and plate mounting systems for flexo printing 5. CreoScitex—PDF-based packaging
SEEING A FUTURE IN SCANNERS
Scan volume may be down at prepress and printing firms, but scanners aren't by any means out of the production picture. by Susan Friedman, Editor Decline, yes. Demise, no. Or is the picture that simple for the use of scans in graphic file production? A recent study conducted by TrendWatch/Cahners Inc. stated the percentage of creative professionals intending to purchase scanners is at its lowest level in years, primarily because of the rising use of digital cameras, digital file storage, and digital file transmission. Dave Watson, VP/packaging at prepress trade shop American Color, reports a reduction in scan use that echoes the tone of
TH-INK-ING ABOUT COLOR
packagePRINTING went straight to its readers to explore trends in specialty, application-specific, and hybrid ink usage. by Kate Tomlinson, Assistant Editor THIS YEAR, packagePRINTING's annual ink survey spread its wings to cover more emerging usage trends. Among the findings: hybrid ink systems, while fairly new to the scene, are beginning to carve a niche for themselves. And, as printers expand their substrate capabilities, the use of application-specific inks is becoming commonplace. In addition, the tried-and-true specialty ink market continues to grow and release new products. Despite online purchasing's growth in many segments, the numbers show package printers are still fairly hesitant about this buying
WEB & SHEET STUDIES IN COATING/LAMINATING
Equipment suppliers address coating/laminating material handling issues for both sheet- and web-based applications. by Jessica Millward, Associate Editor STUDY #1: Web coating Registration to a preprinted web (a.k.a. optical registration or dynamic registration) is often used to apply specialty coatings or spot varnishes, and comes in handy for re-running a web through the press for line work. Dri-Tec's Gravure/Flex convertible print station handles such applications with ease, but, as Dri-Tec VP Matt Tielkemeier notes, retrofitting the unit to a geared press may require a little extra attention. As Tielkemeier explains, dynamic registration is achieved through the use of a high-speed optical sensor, an encoder,
