October 2004 Issue
A Tacky Subject
Plate mounting product manufacturers offer some suggestions and tips to help smooth out the plate mounting process. TRAPPED AIR BUBBLES. Plates lifting during printing. Damaged plates from residue. Constant press adjustments. Low print quality. … Plate mounting has potential to be a nightmare for some press operators, but help is here to overcome some of the stresses brought on by the simple act of plate mounting. packagePRINTING spoke with some plate mounting material manufacturers to find out some tricks and hints, and a few new products that may soothe a frazzled plate mounter. Be gentle to your plates Flexographic plates, although tough, do need
Automated Workflow
JDF offers three prominent features: the ability to carry a print job from concept through completion, to bridge the communication gap between production and MIS, and to do so with most any precondition. JDF IS AN open-standard, job-ticketing language that provides a foundation for users to build next-generation printing environments that encompass both the content and the business aspects of production workflow. The Job Definition Format is a comprehensive, XML-based file format for end-to-end job ticket specifications, combined with a message description standard, and message interchange protocol. JDF was created to develop an open, extensible, XML-based job ticket standard, as well as a mechanism,
Crossroads of Opportunity
Narrow-web flexo converters look to benefit from new technologies and market trends, but competitive pressures will be formidable. BRAND OWNERS WANT high-quality packaging and labels that increase product differentiation, produced in shorter runs. Those are taxing demands, but the narrow-web flexo industry is positioned to deliver. Today's market trends offer an opportunity for narrow-web flexo converters to grow their businesses in the face of industry consolidation, competition, and financial pressures. It's a simple formula: What consumers want is what consumer product companies (CPCs) want their converters to deliver, and new narrow-web technologies are making that possible. "Narrow-web converters, press manufacturers, and CPCs are all
Packaging With a Golden Touch
Today's packaging needs to sell itself, and metallic inks and metallized paper and films are making that job a little bit easier. IT'S BEEN SAID, "All that glitters is not gold." However, a glittering package can defy that age-old adage. With the help of metallic inks and metallized substrates, a package can pop off the shelf, attracting consumers and leading to sales. In the end, that's money in the brand owner's pocket and repeat business for a package printer. But how important is it really, to add glitz and glamour to a package of razors or a bottle of iced tea? Very, according to
Progressive Leadership For All
Strong, low-key leadership at CL&D Graphics and TLMI has earned Mike Dowling packagePRINTING's TLMI 2004 Converter of the Year Award. TLMI IS A strong association, thriving on the active involvement of a wide range of industry leaders that in many ways represent its past, present, and future. It is made up of both supplier and converter companies that run the gamut from small entrepreneurial start-ups to large established companies. Keeping the association on a solid financial foundation, while meeting the needs of such a diverse membership is no easy task. It requires farsighted leadership that focuses on the needs of all its members—large
Take a Hard Look
Exhibitors at Labelexpo Americas 2004 had plenty of web inspection equipment on display. LABELEXPO AMERICAS HAD many exhibitors showing off their web inspection equipment, but does a converter really need to purchase inspection equipment? Some say yes, if they want to keep their waste, cost, and production time under control. Web inspection has come a long way, and packagePRINTING took a look at the different makes and models of web viewing systems that were available at Labelexpo, and spoke with some of the customers that use them. Smile, you're on camera There are two major different kinds of web scan equipment—web inspection systems and
