Folding Cartons and Corrugated Set to Enter the PRINTING United Spotlight

Packaging returns to the forefront of the PRINTING United Digital Experience tomorrow, as the event shifts to a full day dedicated to the folding carton and corrugated segments of the industry. On deck for Wednesday, Nov. 4, attendees will be immersed in the latest research into the industry, product and technology demonstrations, and panel conversations with representatives from leading folding carton and corrugated printing and converting companies.

Opening the event at 10 a.m. EST is Lisa Cross, principal analyst for NAPCO Research. During 2020, Cross and the NAPCO Research team have been tracking the trends impacting all segments of the packaging industry, and will lead with an exploration of the facts and figures uncovered for the folding carton and corrugated segments. In particular, Cross has been exploring the opportunities digital printing has brought to packaging, and will discuss how the technology is lowering barriers to entry in both of these packaging segments.

The day’s keynote presentation will follow, beginning at 10:15 a.m., as Kevin Karstedt and Jeff Wettersten of Karstedt Partners will provide in-depth analysis on the trends and opportunities in folding cartons and corrugated packaging, and how these segments have evolved in recent years. Karstedt Partners is a leading analysis and consulting firm specializing in package printing, and Karstedt and Wettersten will provide an outline of the technologies driving these industries into the future, how printers can explore new opportunities in paperboard packaging, and how digital technologies are providing more avenues toward growth.

At 11:15 a.m. EST, the first of the day’s two panels will take attendees into the world of digital production technology in both the folding carton and corrugated industries. Cory Francer, editor-in-chief of Packaging Impressions, will be joined by Chris Kline, general manager of Wingate Packaging, and Justin Best, VP of graphics and production for Precision Digital Printing. Wingate Packaging, a producer of a variety of folding cartons and paperboard packaging applications, has taken an end-to-end approach in its digital printing capabilities, having installed an HP Indigo 30000 digital press, along with digital cutting and creasing equipment from Highcon. Meanwhile, Best will provide a peek behind the curtain at Precision Digital Printing, which was an early adopter of single-pass, direct-to-board inkjet printing for corrugated, having based its entire business model around the EFI Nozomi C18000 digital press.

The day’s second panel, which will be held at 12:30 pm EST, will center on three of the top trends in the folding carton and corrugated segments. Sharing their insights into sustainability, luxury brand packaging, and e-commerce, Kerry Brown of Curtis Packaging, Hilda Murray of TPC Printing & Packaging, and Justin Stacey of Fantastapack, will join Francer for a conversation about their companies’ various approaches in leading in these three areas. The conversation will also provide insights into why paperboard packaging is often the format of choice for these growing packaging trends, and will feature key technological insights into how these companies have mastered their crafts.

Product demonstrations will also be held throughout the day, giving attendees the opportunity to see the latest technology they can put to use in folding carton and corrugated production. First up is Agfa, which will highlight its Jeti Tauro inkjet equipment at 10:45 a.m. Heidelberg will immediately follow at 11 a.m., highlighting its Speedmaster XL 106 offset press. At noon, Rollem will demonstrate its Insignia diecutter, and at 12:15 pm, Konica Minolta will feature its KM-1 inkjet press.

Click here to register and to view complete details on the PRINTING United Digital Experience.