FLEXcon

Adhesives have a thankless job. Unlike specialty inks or innovative packaging, adhesives tend to go unnoticed by consumers. But, they discreetly carry an enormous amount of responsibility to reliably bond a wide range of substrates. Because adhesives have to work with such a diverse spectrum of materials, many times they are tailored to specific applications. For instance, adhesive trends have been influenced by the use of package decoration materials that originate from sustainable resources, says Philip Emery, director, applied surface technologies, FLEXcon. “PLA film, which is created from corn rather than petrochemicals, as a packaging-grade plastic, is a notable example,” he says. “Adhesives are

Innovation and embracing change is the name of the game when it comes to release liners; at least that was the word at the Global Release Liner Industry Conference in Chicago, March 28-30, organized by AWA Conferences and Events. At the conference, Todd Schweigert, director of marketing for Loparex, explained how films are driving release liner opportunities—growing at 5-6 percent annually. He also discussed which films represent the “right substrates” for liners in labelstock, composite, industrial, tape, graphic arts, medical, and hygiene markets; choosing coatings; and features of silicone adhesives. Derrick MacDonald, director of films product management for Avery Dennison Fasson Roll North America

Creating packaging that drives consumers to ultimately purchase the product—whether on paper or film—is the challenge of any package printer. Promising to deliver the most attractive package to accomplish this objective is a proposition that converters take very seriously. And the trend toward smaller orders with less lead time makes this task even more difficult. Michael Dillon, business manager for Graphic Packaging Laminations, comments, “This trend is due to a variety of factors: the growing popularity of metallized papers and films as a way to catch consumer attention; the number of smaller consumer products companies exploring these materials; and the increase in the frequency

FIRST PLACE McDowell Label and Screen Printing Co., Inc., Plano, Texas Winter Scene Press: Gallus Plates/Screens/Cylinders: DuPont, Gallus, Wilson Mfg. Anilox Rolls: Harper Dies: Wilson Mfg. Substrate: FLEXcon Ink/Coating/Adhesive: XSYS SECOND PLACE Label Technology, Merced, Calif. Weight Watchers Honey Almond Crisp Press: Mark Andy Anilox Rolls: Harper Dies: RotoMetrics Substrate: Technicote Ink: INX THIRD PLACE Banta Specialty Converting, Milwaukee, Wis. Kohler Plumbing - Fairfax 12182 - CP Press: Mark Andy Plates: DuPont Anilox Rolls: Harper Dies: RotoMetrics Ink: XSYS THIRD PLACE Gintzler Graphics Inc., Buffulo, N.Y. Essence

With energy costs soaring, CPCs may be looking for additional ways to attract consumers' diminished spending power. AS IF BUSINESS wasn't tough enough already, the drastic rise in oil prices over the last several months will test the fabric of people and companies throughout every stage of the supply chain. The pain will be felt everywhere, starting at the end of the supply chain—the consumer—who supports the flow of money throughout the long, complicated supply-chain trail. The typical consumer is going to have noticeably less hard cash left in his or her pocket after putting gas in the car and staying warm

Is the increased use of shrink labels affecting the use of release liners? Release liner manufacturers say no and offer different reasons why pressure-sensitive labels are the way to go. ONE THING IS certain, your typical consumer doesn't give any thought to release liners as he or she travels up and down the packed isles in the local grocery store. But package printers know that release liners are a very important component in the world of labeling, one that can impact their bottom lines. packagePRINTING spoke to some release liner manufacturers to see what's new and what impact the growing use of shrink labels

Holograms can do more than just attract consumers. They can also protect against counterfeiting, diversion, and product tampering. ACCORDING TO MARTY KELEM, sales and marketing manager, Spectratek Technologies, a consumer travels at seven miles per hour down store aisles, which only allows a product one-tenth of a second to make its impact. An impulse purchase occurs half of the time when a consumer visually notices the product, but that rate raises to 85 percent when the product is touched by the consumer. This is one of the main reasons for all of the product displays at the checkout aisles of retail stores.

Companies developing film materials are staying one step ahead by staying in close contact with their customers. NEW PLASTIC FILM materials are making a big splash in the marketplace and in many instances are replacing some of the tried-and-true substrates of years past, such as paper and foil. With a variety of different uses, packagePRINTING asked a sampling of film suppliers what they see as the trends in the film material market. Ultimate world domination Not really, but Gretchen Adams of AET Films said films such as AET's are slowly replacing more traditional printed substrates, such as paper. "AET Films is the only independent

Color, glitz, and sparkle will be all around you in your stroll down the store aisle. By Tom Polischuk Editor-in-chief LOOK AROUND THE store shelves next time you drop by your local supermarket. Chances are, what catches your eye will be any number of products whose packaging literally sparkles on the shelves, or gives you a 3D view of the product's image, or changes its image as you look from different angles. Much of what you'll see comes from the use of holographic substrates. These materials can provide colorful, sparkling images with 3D and motion effects. Not quite as prevalent at this time,

Growth is key to any converter's success, and Weber Marking Systems is flourishing. TAKE ONE CONVERTER, add in Mark Andy presses and accessories from such companies as AAA Press International and RotoMetrics and stir. Sprinkle in a variety of label substrates and inks, and allow to grow. Following such a recipe has proven to be a successful mix for Weber Marking Systems, headquartered in Arlington Heights, Ill. Weber Marking Systems, established in 1932 by Joseph Weber Sr., began with the production of stencils, addressing machines, and hand printers for print-and-apply labeling. But today, it has grown into a multi-faceted label and coding company serving