Supplies and Services - Package Printing

Prepress proofing color gamut

Three new KODAK APPROVAL Packaging Color Donors enable users to achieve more accurate spot, corporate, and brand colors in a wide range of packaging applications. Developed by Kodak’s Graphic Communications Group (GCG) to expand the color gamut of KODAK APPROVAL Digital Color Imaging Systems, the new donors deliver the results packaging professionals demand.

Used to create package design proofs and 3-D mock-ups with appearance identical to the final product on the store shelf, the new donors can enhance productivity by reducing the number of color donor imaging passes or roll changes. Particularly when combined with KODAK APPROVAL Digital White Donor and KODAK APPROVAL Digital Metallic Donor, users are able to produce proofs and package design comps on the actual packaging substrates with the vivid colors employed in modern packaging.

“Brand colors are extremely critical in the packaging arena,” explained John Cross, General Manager, Packaging Products, Prepress Solutions, Kodak’s GCG. “Designers, package printers, and converters must be able to accurately proof these colors before committing a job to press, and we are always working to make that process more seamless and predictable. These new donors take our current offerings to the next level and are designed to help our customers better meet the demand for the vibrant colors used in today’s competitive consumer packaging market.”

The KODAK APPROVAL Digital Color Imaging System is a true digital halftone color proofing system, achieving color through successive laser imaging of cyan, magenta, yellow, black, orange, green and blue color donor materials. Kodak’s current color donor materials can achieve accurate color for publication and commercial printing, but some package designs require the expanded gamut of these new color donor materials.

“Using the new KODAK Donors has allowed us to achieve a much larger color space,” said Jason Nelson, Corporate Prepress Manager, OEC Graphics, Oshkosh, Wis. “The new donors also are cleaner, enabling us to produce a larger color library. We now are able to achieve closer proofing-to-press profile matches than ever before.”

The new products are available immediately under the names KODAK APPROVAL Digital Magenta Donor / DM05, KODAK APPROVAL Digital Yellow Donor / DY05, and KODAK APPROVAL Digital Blue Donor / DB02.

KODAK Products are backed by KODAK Service and Support. KODAK Service and Support is made up of more than 3,000 professionals reaching more than 120 countries. It is a leading multi vendor integrated services provider, delivering consulting, installation, maintenance and support services for the commercial printing, graphic communications, document imaging and data storage industries. KODAK Service and Support professionals are uniquely qualified to provide services that control costs, maximize productivity, and minimize business risk.

To learn more, visit http://www.kodak.com and follow our blogs and more at http://www.kodak.com/go/followus

posted on: 08/03/2009

Slitting consulting service

Dave Rumson has launched DR Consulting to provide Slitting Consulting, Educational and Evaluation Programs to the paper and converting industries. Dave has over 20 years’ experience in the converting industry including 10 years of slitting equipment sales and 16 years presenting directly to customers and to attendees of CEMA, AIMCAL and TAPPI trade organizations. His substantial and varied background in the converting industry provides unique perspective and insight into complex converting issues. DR Consulting Programs improve operator knowledge and subsequently roll quality by offering the theoretical and emphasizing the practical aspects of slitting. 

Contact Dave at 860/256-5658 or email drumson@maine.rr.com

posted on: 07/28/2009

Traction tapes

Jemmco recently introduced three new traction tapes including Tesa 4563, JemmSil 421, and CT1125. Tesa 4563 is a smooth silicone-coated roller wrap that grips the web as it passes over rollers to keep them turning. JemmSil 421 is an economic alternative to the Tesa 4563, with traction capabilities and high release properties. The last addition to the traction tape line is the CT1125, a silicone-impregnated fabric tape that offers a high coefficient of friction. With the addition of these three products, Jemmco now offers an extensive line of traction tapes, which also includes felt grip tape, JemmTrac T and rubber cork tapes.

Employing a staff with a combined 34 years of experience in the extrusion and web converting industry, Jemmco offers a full line of supplies, including: silicone treater sleeves, dyne products, disposable roller coverings, tapes and roller wraps, corona treating supplies, cleaning products, static elimination products, and more.

For more information on Jemmco’s full line of traction tapes, please visit their Website at www.jemmco.com or call 262-512-9559.

posted on: 07/21/2009

Business management software ready for interface

Label Traxx by Tailored Solutions—the most popular print business management software for flexographic narrow web label printers and converters worldwide—is ready for immediate interface with the new HP Indigo WS6000 digital press, which is scheduled for initial shipments early in 2009.  The HP Indigo WS6000 digital press, targeted at longer run label production, is expected to be popular with production label manufacturers, many of which already use Label Traxx to manage their short-run digital and flexographic production

Announcing the software enhancement, Tailored Solutions president Ken Meinhardt commented: “Tailored Solutions is proud to take the lead in adding the HP Indigo WS6000 to Label Traxx capability.  We expect that this new digital press will be extremely popular with label printers.  As the leading software solution in the industry, Label Traxx must quickly accommodate the latest equipment used by our customers.  Label Traxx enables label manufacturers to quickly and reliably determine the profitability of their equipment—an extremely important factor in implementing new presses.”

Tailored Solutions is located in Milwaukee and may be reached at 414-774-9997 or www.tailored.com 

posted on: 07/21/2009

Workflow software

Vancouver, BC, Canada – Solarsoft Business Systems, a leading developer of software for the paperboard packaging industry worldwide, announced today the introduction of WorkGroups for Packaging, a new productivity software solution designed specifically for manufacturers of corrugated displays and complex packaging.
WorkGroups for Packaging is a productivity-enhancing tool that combines workflow and sales management software into one seamless solution. Using customizable input forms, WorkGroups captures information essential to the design, estimating, quoting, and sales management process in a central data location.
Configurable workflow processes allow all members of the customer service, design, and sales team to closely collaborate together and share essential information to eliminate miscommunication that can result in costly mistakes. Each user responds to requests that appear in their workflow “input queue” which also contains document and image attachments related to a request. Users can easily prioritize their daily work, forward assignments, and submit requests to the input queues of other WorkGroups users. The software can notify other team members automatically via e-mail when a critical event occurs, when a task is completed, or as a request progresses toward completion.
WorkGroups also includes a powerful electronic document management and indexing module that allows automatic cataloguing and easy viewing of all essential documents related to the sales, design, estimating, and customer service process. WorkGroups for Packaging operates on both Windows and Macintosh computers, and uses a Microsoft SQL Server database.
WorkGroups for Packaging is designed for manufacturers of corrugated displays and complex packaging where close collaboration is required between sales, customer service, design, and pre-production review team members. It operates either stand-alone, or can be integrated with any of Solarsoft’s software solutions: HRMS Gen/2, Business VantagePoint, or Accelerate. WorkGroups consists of a suite of products that can be purchased and configured to meet exact needs. It is designed to be upgradeable without having to change the configuration of the software. WorkGroups is fully scalable and configurable so that it can support organizations of any size.
“The display and packaging manufacturing industry has long been in need of a productivity tool that matches their unique pre-production business process requirements. We believe that WorkGroups for Packaging will fill this void extremely well. It complements Solarsoft’s existing line of core business software for the packaging industry, and can also be integrated with other business software solutions out in the marketplace,” commented Jim Hennings, President & CEO of Solarsoft’s Packaging Systems division.
For more information, visit www.solarsoft.com

posted on: 07/17/2009

nyloflex FSC Digital printing plate

With the introduction of the new nyloflex FSC Digital, Flint Group Flexographic Products offers a novel printing plate to the corrugated converting industry, which can contribute to lowering the total cost of ownership while increasing quality due to the unique low plate hardness of only 26 Shore A and finally making work life easier.

Particularly in the corrugated market the trend towards low cost liners has become accepted, this has resulted in special print requirements in order to obtain the high quality demanded by brand owners.

To print corrugated transit packaging, generally printing plates with a very low hardness are required to achieve sufficient ink transfer – previously this has only been possible with liquid plates. This meant that both the printer and the converter had to abstain from many advantages of a solid plate, such as the very low manufacturing tolerances.

With the new nylofle^® FSC Digital the benefits of both plate types are combined. Due to the low plate hardness (26 Shore A), which is unique in the solid plate segment, printing on challenging liners is possible without problems. At the same time an outstanding print quality can be achieved, since nyloflex FSC Digital ensures excellent area coverage and a very good ink transfer,  especially in solid areas but also with line work this novel solid plate shows its strength. As the plate can also be used for halftone printing, it is suitable for a broad area of applications.

The new nyloflex FSC Digital offers further advantages because of digital processing, i.e. a better and reproducible print quality and additionally, due to the digital workflow a higher productivity and reliability. Like other solid plates the nyloflex FSC Digital guarantees easy handling and fast processing. The new plate features very high print-run stability and therefore exceptionally good durability. As a result the plate offers a long lifetime to ensure the total overall costs are less. Flint Group Flexographic Products offers nyloflex FSC Digital with plate thicknesses of 3.18 mm, 3.94 mm, 4.70 mm and 5.50 mm.

For further information contact Flint Group Flexographic Products at info.flexo@flintgrp.com and in the Internet under www.flintgrp.com

posted on: 07/13/2009

MATCHPRINT Media

Rochester, NY—Kodak expands its lineup of color inkjet proofing media for the commercial printing market with the newly available KODAK MATCHPRINT Pro Coated SM240P Media, Type 5. This third addition to the family of KODAK MATCHPRINT Media helps users quickly and easily ensure color-accurate proofing in compliance with international color standards. Kodak will feature this latest product, and also highlight its digital print solutions, at booth 20/21 at The Association of Graphic Solutions Providers’ (IPA) Technical Conference, June 8-10, in Rosemont, Ill. Kodak is also a sponsor of the event.
“Kodak’s new Type 5 proofing base enables us to present our customers with color-accurate publication proofs without needing an artificial background tint,” said Brad Morgan, Director, Pre-Press Operations, St. Joseph Content, the largest privately owned communications company in Canada. “We count on Kodak’s comprehensive lineup of MATCHPRINT Inkjet Proofing Media for the full range of our inkjet proofing requirements.”
The low brightness and warm tint of the new MATCHPRINT Pro Coated Media, Type 5 inkjet proofing stock allow users to create color proofs without the need to add an artificial background tint, a process used to simulate standard paper color. By removing the complexity and uncertainty of this step, customers can quickly and accurately produce colors that comply with color standards such as Specifications for Web Offset Publications (SWOP) and General Requirements and Applications for Commercial Offset Lithography (GRACoL) in North America, as well as FOGRA, a Graphic Technology Research Association in Europe.
New MATCHPRINT Pro Coated SM240P Media, Type 5 joins existing MATCHPRINT Pro Coated SM240P Media, Type 1 and MATCHPRINT Pro Coated SM240P Media, Type 3. Type 5 inkjet proofing base, a companion premium 240g/m² semi-matte proofing base, closely approaches color typical of papers used in publications and periodicals. The Type 1 material is designed for color proofing of higher quality commercial printing, and Type 3 is intended for mid-range commercial and higher end publication proofing. All three do not require background tinting.
“With the addition of MATCHPRINT Pro Coated Media, Type 5, Kodak offers a full range of premium color proofing media to meet any requirement and help our customers ensure quality, consistency, and efficiency,” said John Cross, General Manager, Packaging Products, Prepress Solutions, Kodak. “Customers can count on Kodak for all their inkjet color proofing needs.”
Particularly when coupled with the KODAK MATCHPRINT Inkjet Proofing System and KODAK Proofing Software, Kodak’s proofing media enables users to confidently generate high-quality color proofs to meet a broad range of customer demands.
KODAK Products are backed by KODAK Service and Support. KODAK Service and Support is made up of more than 3,000 professionals reaching more than 120 countries. It is a leading multi-vendor integrated services provider, delivering consulting, installation, maintenance and support services for the commercial printing, graphic communications, document imaging and data storage industries. KODAK Service and Support professionals are uniquely qualified to provide services that control costs, maximize productivity, and minimize business risk.
To learn more, visit http://www.kodak.com and follow our blogs and more at http://www.kodak.com/go/followus.

posted on: 07/13/2009

Rogers Corp. expands E/bak product line

Woodstock, CT - Rogers Corporation has expanded its product line of E/bak Cushions with the commercial release of E/bak SF .120" in a 44-inch width for use on smaller machines.  By offering both choices in width, printers will be able to reduce excess waste and have a more economical use of the foam.
An economically priced cushion mounting solution for corrugated post-print applications, E/bak is used for standard quality graphics that could benefit from a cushion.   This value performance corrugated cushion can help increase productivity, reduce production costs and grow printers' business.
E/bak has been designed for use on general purpose corrugated applications of line and solid work, as well as combination screens.  Easy to handle and resilient, E/bak provides quality print results with high solid ink density and lower dot gain.   Added benefits also include reduced fluting and board crush at increased line speeds.   E/bak cushions will lower operating costs by reducing press adjustments and plate wear, diminishing gear banding and press bounce while decreasing waste, thereby helping the environment and the bottom line.
Based on Rogers' proven open-cell urethane foam technology, E/bak Cushions build thickness while also providing cushioning and absorbing vibration.   E/bak SF (supported firm in a green color) material is designed on .010 mil PET film carrier and is cast to thickness, not buffed.   Its polyester support layer ensures dimensional stability and acts as a mounting base.   It is available in five standard thicknesses (.040", .060", .080", .100 and .120") in a 60-inch width, and now also a .120" in a 44-inch width.   Flexible thickness, widths or other special requirements are available.   
With over 25 year's experience, Rogers is committed to help its customers increase productivity, reduce costs and grow their business all over the globe.   E/bak and R/bak Cushion Mounting Materials are available worldwide though an extensive network of knowledgeable distributors. For more information, please visit http://www.rogerscorp.com/rbak

posted on: 07/09/2009

Single-unit pad plugs

Converters seeking to protect roll products from damage during shipping and storage will appreciate the roll-suspension performance of co.'s pad plugs. A wide variety of styles with stock sizes up to 16 in. square are available. Pad plugs suspend small-to medium-size rolls for total protection. These designs combine both pad and plug into a single unit that reduces packaging inventory and related labor time. Additional roll-suspension systems are also available for larger, heavier rolls.

BADGER PLUG, 920/757-7300, www.badgerplug.com

posted on: 07/01/2009

Badger Plug marks 75th anniversary

In the early 1900s, the paper industry blossomed along the banks of the Fox River in northeastern Wisconsin. That industrial revolution spawned the establishment of many close-by related suppliers. Badger Plug Co. was one of those firms. 

In 1931, Badger Plug started manufacturing wood core plugs in a small brick building situated on the banks of the Fox River in the city of Appleton. Like the paper mills, Badger Plug tapped the power of the river to drive its industrial machinery. In this case, the machinery turned birch logs into precision core plugs.   

Wood core plugs were used then just like they are today – to keep cores of large paper rolls from crushing. While many mills in Wisconsin quickly became loyal Badger Plug customers, other mills throughout the country had similar needs. Badger responded with increased production and wider distribution.

While the paper industry remained the primary customer base for many years, Badger Plug continued to develop new and innovative products for the expanding diversification of its customer base. In 1955, metal core plugs were added to the product line. Plastic core plugs were introduced in 1972. By the 1990s, the company’s focus had evolved well beyond just core plugs.  Product design and development was now clearly targeted toward “better ideas in roll protection.”  To that end, Badger continued to engineer and produce numerous innovative solutions to suspend and protect roll products of all kinds.

Today, Badger Plug is recognized as the world’s leader in roll suspension and protection solutions. Wood and metal plugs are still integral parts of the product line. However, the greatest product diversity now is evident in the plastic line. A wide variety of plastic core plugs protect center cores from crushing.  One-piece plastic pad plugs suspend small to medium sized rolls. Large rolls can now be safely suspended using plastic sleeve plugs with wood endboards, all produced by Badger Plug.

Additional products now include spool components, tube closures, steel and aluminum coil packaging products, wood fabrications and custom manufacturing. Badger Plug also offers a unique recycling service for various packaging products. Now select plastic, metal, and wood components can be recycled for re-use instead of being added to the packaging waste stream.

According to Dan Voissem, Badger Plug president and third-generation owner, “For the last 75 years, the highest standards in quality, service and innovation have been the cornerstones to Badger Plug’s success. Looking forward, our game plan remains unchanged. Badger Plug strives to provide the best ideas in roll protection to customers worldwide."
 

posted on: 06/05/2009

Plastic pallets feature single configuration

Unlike ordinary wooden pallets, co.'s plastic pallets are said to be virtually indestructible. The variable roll pallet, which accommodates rolls of various sizes by simply resetting moveable chocks on the pallets, enables converters to use one standard pallet configuration for all product handling needs. Co.'s roll pallets are strong and rigid and do not flex, ensuring heavy roll stability. For label converters, co. provides custom pallets tailored to exact dimensions of the finished labels.

JECO PLASTIC PALLETS, 317/839-4943, www.jecoplastics.com

posted on: 06/01/2009

Hybrid cushioning system

Co. launches its HC Autoflow™ unit as an accessory to its AirSpeed® HC system. The high-speed hybrid system is designed to automatically separate the hybrid cushioning material created by the AirSpeed HC and place it into a bin or directly into the shipping carton. The system features multiple air chambers in horizontal and vertical patterns versus one cushion.

PREGIS CORP., 877/692-6163, www.pregis.com

posted on: 06/01/2009

NEW BLOG: Your best prospects will see you now

This past week I came across a situation with a new client that defied most professional marketing advice. This client was using many time-honored principles to reach its key prospects with little to no results.

So I went through my typical list of qualifiers:
•    Adequate budget? – Yes
•    Strong corporate ID? – Yes
•    Professionally designed graphics? – Yes
•    Relevant product information and services? – Yes
•    Positive corporate and community image? – Yes

Again I asked myself, why no results?

Upon closer review, I found the client’s marketing messaging well defined but poorly timed. After a full review I recommended the following:

1. Match your marketing activities to the Buying Cycle – in other words, make sure that your marketing offers are aligned with your prospects’ specific buying cycles. No good to run a sale in May when the primary buying season starts in September!
2. Match your sales process to the Buying Cycle – this means make sure ALL of your sales representatives understand what the thrust of the sales marketing program is and make doubly sure they can present it persuasively. No good spending thousands of dollars in marketing if your sales force doesn’t understand the sales strategy behind selling new customers.
3. Make sure your goals and methods align with your customers’ top needs – seems obvious but this organization had not professionally queried its full customer or prospect base in years. Instead, they were relying upon the insights of a few executives who rarely made sales calls!

My other advice was to begin using one of the most time-tested B2B marketing approaches: Problem. Solution. In other words, define what your prospects’ top problems and needs are and BE the solution to those problems.

______________________

Tom Marin is the Managing Partner of MarketCues, Inc., a corporate and brand strategy practice. He can be reached at tom.marin@marketcues.com or 407/330-7708.

posted on: 05/19/2009

Milliamp clamp meters

Fluke 772 and 773 Milliamp Clamp Meters: Two new milliamp (mA) clamp meters help technicians test critical automation and control circuits without breaking the circuit or interrupting operations. See photos. Test, but do not break, the loop or stop the system.
www.controleng.com/article/CA6658611.html

posted on: 05/15/2009

Portable rheometer

RS Portable Rheometers operate in the lab, on the production floor or in the field, co. says. The coaxial-cylinder rheometer comes with a lab stand, a convenient handle for portability and offers both controlled-stress and controlled-rate test modes.

BROOKFIELD ENGINEERING, 800/628-8139, www.brookfieldengineering.com

posted on: 05/01/2009

Splicing tape

New 51180 EasySplice® Boardline joins co.'s EasySplice product family designed for wide-web printing, coating and converting operations. The new advancement takes roll stock web splicing to a new dimension by enabling a straight-line splice pattern applied to each web as opposed to the complex patterns previously required to secure splices during flying-splice applications.

TESA TAPE, INC., 800/426-2181, www.tesatape.com

posted on: 05/01/2009

Photopolymer printing plates

Co. introduces two new photopolymer printing plates: MVP medium-durometer plates feature exceptional resilience that lead to faster press speeds and reduced bounce, co. says. They reportedly work well with a variety of substrates and inks. Digital MVP plates are said to deliver all the benefits of MVP, along with fine resolution and imaging capabilities, as well as the ability to be processed via solvent or LAVA thermal systems.

MACDERMID, 800/348-7201, www.macdermid.com/printing

posted on: 05/01/2009

Tube, core, composite-can makers gain easy parts locator

Composite Can and Tube Institute is pleased to announce its newest service, 911PARTS, which will be launched on May 1. This program will serve as a centralized resource that will help manufactures of tubes, cores, and composite cans locate parts for their machinery and equipment.  Once this program is activated, simply go to the CCTI website, www.cctiwdc.org or to www.askvinnie.org, click on the icon, describe what you need and hit send. 
Your request will be sent immediately to those companies who have asked to participate in this program.  If your company would like to be added to the list of possible “part suppliers” or for more information about this new service, please contact the CCTI office at 703.823.7234 or email kgarland@cctiwdc.org.
Disclaimer:  911PARTS is a service provided by CCTI to its members and other industry manufacturers to enable communication regarding parts needs.  CCTI does not manufacture, store, sell, maintain, guarantee or provide warranty for any machinery or part that may be addressed or provided in a 911PARTS communication.

posted on: 04/08/2009