This fall's PRINT® 05 & CONVERTING 05 trade shows will be heavily focused on the linkage between commercial printing and package printing, with many of the exhibitors offering equipment suitable for both, sometimes within the same machine, says organizer Graphic Arts Show Co., Reston, VA. The concurrent events will be held Sept. 9–15 at Chicago's McCormick Place.

Commercial-printing equipment manufacturers have seen that some of the needs of package printers can be met by similar quality equipment to that used by commercial printers with some specific modifications. This cross-over approach is one that commercial printers are using to diversify their own service offerings and differentiate and expand their businesses.

That trend is strongly reflected in the upcoming shows, which blend commercial-printing equipment and package-printing equipment on the same exhibit floor. Show visitors will be able to compare features and specifications of the various presses directly and see a multitude of options from different manufacturers in the same place, GASC says.

Manufacturers offering a mixed product line suitable for both commercial work and package printing include Bobst, Creo, Esko-Graphics, Gallus, Heidelberg, Kampf, KBA, Komori, MAN Roland, Standard Paper Box and others.

PRINT 05 & CONVERTING 05 will fill more than 750,000 sq ft of display space, and host almost 800 exhibiting companies from around the world with 80,000 registrants expected.

More info: 703/264-7200, fax: 703/620-9187, www.gasc.org