Flexographic Printing - Narrow Web

There are businesses that wait until technology becomes fine-tuned before they change the way they operate and update their product offerings. Then there are those businesses that help drive changes in their respective industries by ­being innovators, by jumping on board when a technology is new. According to Jay Dollries, president and CEO of Innovative Labeling Solutions (ILS), this is the way to go. “Be an innovator,” he says. “It is an ever-changing marketplace, and the ability to adapt and change definitely enhances the prospect for future success.” It is with this in mind that back in 2005, ILS became an early adopter of

ST. LOUIS, Mo.—MAX, the service and support team of Mark Andy, Inc., is offering another aftermarket program to help customers achieve reduced cycle times in narrow-web print applications. KECO brand high-performance non-stick coating technology is available on EZ clean ink pans and traction release idler rolls, resulting in a partnership between MAX and KECO Coatings to offer the Process Improvement Coating Program. This program provides existing equipment owners the opportunity to purchase coated ink pans and idler rolls, customized to their Comco or Mark Andy press. The Process Improvement Coating Program is a time-saving, cost-cutting measure for converters. With this program, the converter sends

Flexographic printing’s gains in the market are unmistakable, and the quality of its end products continues to improve. Anilox rolls are a key component in the quality equation in flexo printing, and also in the equation for its productivity. Improving prepress operations for flexographic printing means, in part, improving efficiencies of anilox roll change-out and preparation. To a large degree, anilox roll preparation equates to engraving. Anilox sleeves are enjoying increased usage in this arena, and some might be surprised that the sleeved alternative to engraved anilox rolls can sometimes exceed the LPI (lines per inch) of rolls. Plus anilox engravers can employ the

CHARLOTTE, N.C.— HS Crocker Co. Inc, the Huntley, Illinois (USA)-based supplier of self-adhesive labels, flexible packaging and cartons, has signed a deal to install Stork Prints’ multi-process Helios 6010 engraver, for highly productive imaging of letterpress plates at Crocker’s pharmaceutical label converting operation in Pennsylvania. Gene Proffit, managing director at Stork Prints America, comments, “The direct laser engraving systems will completely transform the pre-production workflow, with printing forms being engraved on an on-demand basis. The greater flexibility, reduced running costs, and improved printing quality offered by these systems will be a major strategic benefit to HS Crocker, strengthening their competitiveness in North America’s high-end

WEST HARTFORD, Conn.—Matik North America, the exclusive distributor for Edelmann Graphics GmbH, has launched the latest generation of narrow web presses from Edelmann in North America. Matik has appointed an Edelmann specialist, Chris Davis who has moved from the UK to raise the profile of the Edelmann press line in the North American market. Tackling a variety of market sectors, the Edelmann press line offers cost effective production solutions for a number of substrates which include Film, PS, PP Clear Box, Aluminum foil and paper. Printed products include, commercial print, packaging (flexible and folding carton), labels, security and half web heat set applications. There

Shorter print runs, green technology, the emergence of flexible packaging and UV inks, shorter makeready times, globalization—we’ve heard them all of late. Talk to almost any converter or print industry manufacturer and these buzz terms are likely to come up. Whether you’re a high- or low-volume converter, these issues impact the packaging industry in a variety of ways. Perhaps the most important result is that they push press manufacturers to continually evolve their products to keep up with the rapidly changing package-printing market. The challenges are the same for narrow- or wide-web press users. Shorter print runs are converters’ new realities, making shorter makeready

Relationships are critical in any business. Relationship building takes time, but the benefits of such investments pay huge dividends over time. These relationships are with your vendors, your customers, your suppliers, and your employees. Also critical for a successful mix is the best equipment for your operation. Valdese Packaging and Label’s (Valdese, NC) business is built on this philosophy. “Our operating philosophy has been to surround [ourselves] with the best employees and equipment on the market, and develop long-term partnerships with [our] accounts,” says Darren Little, president. On the equipment side, Valdese recently purchased its first servo-driven press, using technology that Little says represents

CHARLOTTE, N.C.—HarperScientific, the printing and coating supplies division of global anilox supplier Harper Corporation of America, developed UV Re-Leez, a product formulated especially for removing UV ink from narrow web presses, anilox rolls and all equipment, with on-press use in mind. “But we were thrilled to get reports from customers that they found great success using UV Re-Leez as a solvent ink cleaner for anilox and gravure cylinders in ultrasonic tanks,” said Jim Doedderlein, technical sales specialist for HarperScientific. “We’ve had reports that customers are cleaning press sleeves in ultrasonic tanks and cleaning the between-station dryer assemblies the same way. In a case where

Many a superhero has relied on the power of advanced equipment—such as Wonder Woman’s Lasso of Truth, Green Lantern’s power ring, and Captain America’s shield—to help perform their extraordinary feats. For today’s narrow-web printers, technical heroism is often required to meet print-job demands, and advanced equipment can also hold a pivotal role in “saving the day” for a customer. At Rotocolor Inc., playing the hero—through a willingness to go where other printers won’t—has helped the 16-year-old flexo printer become master of its own unique corner in the narrow-web universe. “We find a way to get it done when everyone else says, ‘We can’t do

CINCINNATI, Ohio--In an exclusive Labelexpo Americas preview, Nilpeter USA has showcased its FB3300A press at an open house in Cincinnati, Ohio. The company introduced its new FB3300A inline flexo press to the Americas with a demonstration that used 200 line screen photopolymer plates. Nilpeter partnered with Enovation Graphic Systems and MacDermid Printing Solutions, who demonstrated Digital MLT: a digital plate which was processed on the MacDermid LAVA thermal plate processing system. The resulting 200 line screen photopolymer plates were then used to print labels on the FB3300A. This is the highest line screen plate that MacDermid has ever developed. Nilpeter engineers demonstrated the versatility of the