Flexible packaging provider Exopack Holding Corp., the latest news is in the SKUs. This paper and plastic packaging converter, headquartered in Spartanburg, S.C., boasts 19 production facilities across North America and the United Kingdom, and supplies approximately 25,000 SKUs to 1,300 diverse customers.
With recent advances in waterborne energy curing resin technology, an elec tron beam (EB) curing gravure printing process has been developed which allows elimination of VOC emissions and reduces energy consumption while providing outstanding aesthetics, chemical, physical, and functional properties.
This year has made for an interesting economic ride. Few want to say the United States is in the throes of a recession, but even a cursory glance at fuel prices is enough to know that the economy is hurting. Despite the current economic woes in the United States, gravure printers are enjoying continued success. Although customers are always on the lookout for the printer who will cut them a break here or there, gravure printers are riding the wave of flexible packaging, exactly the type of packaging that demands the quality that the gravure process routinely delivers. This is not to say that
Many of us have relayed the line, “it’s the little things,” in response to something we find funny or which made us feel good. It’s the same for your print jobs—“little things” play crucial roles. Critical components of flexographic or gravure print jobs are the anilox rolls or gravure cylinders and the doctoring systems that work to control the ink that lays upon the finished product. Properly installed and maintained doctoring systems also go a long way toward improving your bottom line, as they can directly impact whether or not your rolls or cylinders last as long as they should. “Eighty percent of all
One thing is for sure about gravure—the basic technology remains the same, and the quality has also been second to none. What has been different for gravure in recent years is competitive pressure in terms of improved quality from various sources and printing processes. First, flexographic printing has made, and continues to make, inroads in markets that traditionally have been served by gravure. Second, foreign competition—whether it be outsourcing print jobs overseas, or presses that are cheaper to build and buy, but lack comparative print quality—continues to impact gravure printers as they work to compete in a global environment. The Achilles heel for gravure
The use of combination printing/processing is not a rarity in package printing—not by a long shot. A printer that has the need could combine any of the printing processes, in addition to converting operations such as foil stamping and embossing. The value provided by combination printing is that each printing process can bring its own specific attributes to the party, says Andy Colletta, president/CEO of Nilpeter USA. “Flexography and offset printing provide the lion’s share of the coverage on a signature, including the text and four-color images,” he explains. “Rotary screen is often used to provide an opaque background prior to printing, while
Gravure printing has long been known for its high quality. According to Dean Hoss, president and CEO of Pyramid Global, in his “Why Buy Gravure” presentation at the Packaging and Label Gravure Association’s (PLGA) ninth operational conference, gravure print reproduction translates into better product appearance. Versus flexography, gravure offers higher resolution print, consistency across the print web, and repeat print-run consistency. “Gravure’s quality is hard to beat. When it’s done right, when the engravings are proper, it’s there,” says Jim Lepp, executive director of the PLGA. However, the increasing use of flexographic printing and its lower cost of production has, over time, created
ATN (Part of the DCM Group) Model Print Width (in.) Print Repeat (in.) Max. Speed (fpm) ATENA 22,26 or 30, 33.5 12.5-28 or 17-34.6 820 Write 514 on Reader Service Form J BOBST GROUP USA INC. Visit www.bobstgroup.com Model Type Width Range (in.) Max. Speed (fpm) RS 5002 High speed, high volume 31-55 1,830 RS 3003 Versatility, multipurpose 28-55 1,160 RS 4004 Short runs, quick changeover 25-65 820 RS 4000 Short runs, quick changeover 25.5-65 820 RS 1200 Cost effective, entry level 33.5-49.25 984 RS 1250 Cost effective, entry level 33.5-49.25 984 Write 515 on Reader Service Form, See Ad p. 39 J COMEXI
By combining flexo and gravure, Sonoco is able to maintain its competitive edge. By Kate Tomlinson, Associate Editor IN 1993, SONOCO'S Flexible Packaging division realized that it could offer customers the value-added products many were looking for, by expanding its strictly gravure process base. Today, with nine plants worldwide, Sonoco achieves its range of graphics by running flexo and gravure both separately and in combination. Sonoco's extensive equipment roster includes: wide- and narrow-web rotogravure presses, up to 11 stations with in-line lamination and cold/heat seal coatings; wide- and narrow-web flexographic presses, up to 10 stations with in-line lamination and cold/heat seal coatings; gravure/flexo
Gravure industry insiders tackle key issues for optimum ink transfer and reveal equipment developments aiding the cause. by Jessica Millward, Associate Editor Blade basics Though gravure printing's consistency and dependability as a printing process are well-publicized, press operators should keep a close eye on doctor blade configuration. Max Daetwyler Product Sales Manager Marty Cansler affirms, "What is often crucial for consistent print quality is the ability of the doctor blade to provide clean and even ink application during the entire print run." As he elaborates, maintaining the blade contact area is integral to controlling such print defects as hazing and color variation. Contact area
