packagePRINTING's Top 5 Stories in December

To close out 2017, we’ve rounded up the five most read packagePRINTING items from December. This month’s top stories include technological insights from Heidelberg’s folding carton customers, how to address color management misconceptions, where package printers rank among the printing industry’s elite, an update on the groundbreaking inkjet technology making waves in the corrugated segment, and advice on packaging trends for 2018. In case you missed any of these stories over the past month, or want to revisit them, check out December's top stories listed below.

1. Folding Carton Converters Showcase the Latest Heidelberg Technology
   The top story in December takes us to Europe for Heidelberg’s Packaging Days. packagePRINTING’s Ashley Roberts was on the scene and visited Heidelberg customers Acket drukkerij kartonnage in the Netherlands and Smart Packaging Solutions in Belgium. Both converters are using the latest in Heidelberg’s offset technology and showcased some of the innovative packaging they are producing.
2. Solving 3 Common Myths in a Packaging Color Workflow
   Mark Gundlach, a solutions architect for X-Rite, provided this article, offering insight into some of the common misconceptions printers and converters have regarding color management. Not only does Gundlach address these three color myths, but he offers some best practices for printers to be aware of when working with color.
3. The Top Ranked Package Printers in the 2017 Printing Impressions 400
   At the end of each year, our colleagues at Printing Impressions publish the Printing Impressions 400 — a listing of the top printing companies in the United States and Canada by annual sales volume. We went through the list and have found where the top 10 package printers rank — and some are close to the top! Be sure to check out the full PI 400, as it is sure to provide some interesting industry insights.
4. Eighteen Months Since drupa, Digital Corrugated Continues its Rise
   Last summer, one of the biggest takeaways from drupa 2016 was the emergence of single-pass, direct-to-board, inkjet presses for corrugated. A year and a half later, the presses announced at the show have hit the market to varying degrees and are showing why this technology could be so disruptive to the corrugated industry. Check out the latest on this breakthrough technology.
5. Packaging Trends for 2018: Bold Colors and Finishing Effects
   In this article, which was submitted by Ray Cheydleur, portfolio manager for printing and imaging products at X-Rite Pantone, we learn more about the 2018 Pantone Color of the Year and how brands have successfully implemented it into their packaging. This article will provide some helpful tips and tricks on the packaging trends that will make an impact in 2018.