March 2004 Issue
Defining an Industry
Terms define technology, but for package printers, wide-format presses are enabling them to define their industry. by Joy English, Assistant Editor THE PACKAGE-PRINTING industry is filled with numerous terms and definitions, spelling out the processes that form its daily functions. Although these definitions help with understanding and categorization, in the end, it's the equipment that must perform. Today's wide-format presses do this well, providing the converter with everything from ease of operation and increased speeds and widths to customization. Functionality Multifunctionality, especially in regards to press capabilities, is vital to a converter's ability to add value to its customers' printing jobs. And top press
Flexible Packaging?A Bright Prospect
The market will see continued growth, driven mostly by an increasing demand for stand-up pouches. FLEXIBLE PACKAGING FACES a bright outlook for 2004. Currently, flexible packaging—a $20 billion industry—is the second largest packaging category in the United States, according to the Flexible Packaging Association's Web site. Furthermore, industry experts and studies only expect the market to see continued growth over the next several years, despite a slowly recovering economy. "There's going to be continued growth in the market," said Dennis Calamusa, president of ALLIEDFLEX Technologies, Inc. and a sales and marketing consultant providing global flexible packaging machinery to the North and South American markets.
Flexible, Scalable, Integrated Solutions
Open-systems workflow solutions are redefining prepress operations for today's package printers. by: Marie Alonso, Prepress editor PACKAGING SERVES THE dual purpose of holding and protecting a product, while effectively presenting and selling the brand. Accordingly, the expectations placed on package printers are very high. Putting today's creative design ideas into practice calls for innovative, flexible solutions. As Heidelberg phrases it, the production process is characterized by seamless workflows, automated handling systems, in-line and off-line coating and finishing, and flexible formats. As workflow solutions move beyond commercial printing into the packaging environment, many companies are jumping on the JDF bandwagon with their automated, integrated
Flexo CtP?Out of the Gates
With benefits stemming from the improved quality of digital plates, CtP for flexo is making its presence known. by Tom Polischuk, Editor-in-Chief WITH COMPUTER-TO-PLATE (CtP) technology for flexographic printing nearing its pre-teen years, its benefits are having a significant impact throughout the industry. These benefits are derived from the elimination of film and the on-press efficiencies stemming from improved quality plates. Frances Cicogna, packaging segment marketing manager for Agfa, points out a major difference between the current state of CtP for flexo vs. CtP for offset. "Computer-to-offset is a direct-image process in which the plate is exposed via the laser. Computer-to-flexo uses a digital
Label industry Metamorphosis
The tag and label printing industry appears to be changing in ways that may qualify as a metamorphosis. by Tom Polischuk, Editor-in-Chief "THESE ARE INTERESTING times." So says Tim Hare, CEO of York Label, as he looks at the current state of the tag and label printing industry. This industry, built long ago on the enterprising backs of entrepreneurs, seems to be maturing. It faces many challenges brought on by fierce competition and a promise of highly dynamic market and technology changes that will continue. A recovery with a different look The economy is picking up steam, and many people are waiting
Make a Good Impression
Stamping and embossing experts reveal how to get the best results from the package-enhancing processes. by Kate Sharon, Associate Editor THE VALUE OF stamping and embossing equipment is well known. In today's retail world, where it's hard to walk down a grocery store aisle without seeing several packages enhanced by the glimmer of foil, stamping and embossing capabilities are a converter's key to value-added products. "Increasingly competitive markets create a larger demand for differentiation in product, packaging, and promotion, which is perfect for foil stamping and embossing," according to Jim Hutchison, senior vice president of sales of Universal Engraving Inc., a foil stamping and
No Pity for Paper Labels
Despite losses in market share, paper labels continue to dominate. by Kate Sharon, Associate Editor WITH ALL THE talk about film substrates, it's easy to forget that paper is still the most widely used material for packaging labels. Films, and their sister substrates synthetic papers, often take the limelight thanks to the mounting popularity of shrink materials and the need for evermore durable labels. In the end, however, paper's simplicity and practicality persist. "Paper is still the dominant label type, with over 70 percent of the market by volume," said Paul Bailin, an industry analyst and author of a study called "World Labels," soon
Packaging?Outlook and Trends
Realistic expectations are pinned to steady economic growth, while tempered by the cloud of overseas manufacturing. THE PACKAGING MARKET as a whole had extremely robust growth during most of the 1990s. But with the recession of 2000-2001 and relatively slow recovery, overall growth slowed markedly, with some packaging types even declining. As we head into a new year, the usual optimism appears to be firmly based in reality. U.S. economic growth in the second half of last year was extremely robust, the best in more than 20 years. With the consensus forecast calling for more than 4 percent real growth in 2004, packaging markets
Targeting Success
The folding carton market is facing a stiff challenge from alternative packaging and foreign competition, but the industry is gearing up for the challenge. by Tom Polischuk, Editor-in-Chief IF THE VIEW of Ben Markens, president of the consulting firm Converter's Resource, is correct, the folding carton industry has a big target on its back. It seems as though a couple "great whites" are trying to gobble up chunks of the folding carton volume pie, and for the short-term are doing a pretty good job of it. The hungry sharks in question come in the form of stand-up pouches and overseas manufacturing. "Competition
The One-Two Punch
Facing off in the laminating ring are in-line vs. off-line laminators; and while each has their own punches to throw and to receive, it is the converter who decides the champion. by Joy English, Assistant Editor JUNE 19, 1936 MARKED the day that heavyweight champion Joe Louis and Max Schmeling squared off in what would be a boxing match to remember. Schmeling entered the ring as the underdog, but claimed the titled when he handed Louis his first ring defeat. It wasn't until two years later that Louis would reclaim his heavyweight title from Schmeling. Today, squaring off in the laminating ring are in-line
