Mark Andy

Label Technology President John Bankson can savor individual and collective accomplishments as his company turns 15. by Kate Tomlinson, Assistant Editor Congratulations are in order for Label Technology on several counts. As the company marks 15 years in the business, and revels in the installation of its latest printing press, the personality and personal touch of president and co-founder John Bankson deserve particular acclaim. Bankson's entrepreneurial spirit; positive "can do" attitude; and dedication to delivering consistent high quality and service in printed labels and packaging films have led Label Technology to outgrow two previous manufacturing facilities; skyrocket both its sales and employee base; and

Demand for screen retrofits multiplies as printers look to satisfy process-savvy manufacturers. by Jessica Millward, Associate Editor WHILE THERE IS no easy-out clause when adopting a new print method, screen retrofits allow printers to make a significantly smaller leap of faith (and finance). And with manufacturers gaining awareness of its unique benefits, job-specific or brand-specific requests for screen will make the retrofit an even more appealing option. Path of less resistance Screen printing, in its nature, is a more niche-oriented process. As Gary Teeter, after market applications engineer for Mark Andy explains, "Printers likely to retrofit…are typically looking to expand production capabilities in

McCoy Packaging's "Kuleto Villa" wine label poured on enough printing charm to ace two categories and capture Best of Show honors in packagePRINTING's 15th annual Excellence Awards. by Susan Friedman, Editor If McCoy Packaging's Best of Show-winning strategy was to forge an indelible impression in the judge's minds, it succeeded, hands down. McCoy's "Kuleto Villa" wine label repeatedly stood up to its competitors in packagePRINTING's 2001 Excellence Awards, initially nabbing first place in the Labels—Flexo (Process) category, where judges singled it out as a difficult printing, diecutting, and embossing job well executed. "[This label] holds beautiful register at 175 line screen," commented judge Roy

Narrow-web combination printing attracts a lot of high-end hoopla, but straightforward flexo continues to make market strides. by Jessica Millward, Associate Editor AMERICA IS HOOKED on the all-in-one solution, from superstores to shopping malls to everything advertised on infomercials. The packaging industry is no different—the current narrow-web combination craze certainly speaks to the single-source lover. Its rapid growth, however, may cloud non-combination narrow-web flexo's continuing progress. Though no one disputes the performance of, and market potential for, combination work in narrow-web, suppliers are quick to testify to the significance of straight flexo. Kim Tanis, VP/North American sales for Allied Gear/Gi Due USA,

Digital print's short-run suitability presents a sizeable learning curve to converters' in-line finishing. by Jessica Millward, Associate Editor THOUGH COMMON WISDOM claims otherwise, sometimes you can have things both ways. That need has been, and will continue to be, the mother of invention regarding digital print finishing. The paradox: How do you pair in-line converting with a print process engineered for short-run jobs? The stops and starts of in-line have thus far greatly restricted much integration with on-demand techniques, but press manufacturers' discovery process has only just begun. Cost concerns Thoro Packaging's hesitation to embrace digital technology in its folding carton facility is

packagePRINTING congratulates the winners of the 2000 TLMI Awards Competition, offering a special toast to Adams Label & Tag for its Best of Show-winning wine label. By Susan Friedman, Editor The 267 North American and International entries in the 2000 TLMI Awards Competition bested last year's entry draw by 33 percent—making victory even sweeter for this year's honorees. "We were glad to see the increased amount of entries," says RotoMetrics' Steve Lee, chair of the Awards Competition Committee. Quantity was up, but so was overall quality, illustrated in part by the definitive rise in multi-process label entries. "There was lots of good competition," states

As evidenced by these application examples, package printers have put web inspection systems to work for a broad spectrum of reasons, from meeting customer or end-use requirements, to establishing a general competitive advantage, to achieving process efficiencies. See for yourself. By Susan Friedman, Editor Fast-forward for flexpack quality A general push toward quality assurance has taken hold in the flexible packaging segment, reports Koby Shtaierman, vice president, marketing and sales for AVT. He hears more printer requests to see the web at all times, to provide process control and quality assurance for big-name brands such as Frito Lay and Coca Cola. Flexible

Labels—Flexo (Line) First Place LSK Label Co. El Dorado Hills, CA M.G. Vallejo 750 ml Press: Gallus/Arsoma EM-280 Plates: DuPont Cyrel Anilox Rolls: Harper Dies: CompuDie Substrate: Technicote Ink: Akzo Nobel Judges' Comments: Nice combination of flexo printing with foil stamping/embossing. The sharpness of this entry's line work stood out. Second Place MPI Label Systems Stockton, CA Island Essentials Sunblock Press: Mark Andy 2200 Plates: DuPont Anilox Rolls: Harper Dies: Avis RotoDie Substrate: Fasson Ink: INX International Third Place Tape & Label Engineering St. Petersburg, FL Spring Valley Brewer's Yeast Press: Mark Andy 4150 Plates: DuPont Cyrel Dies: RotoMetrics Substrate: Green Bay Ink: Water

The demand for screen printing is on the rise—and could be the ticket to a blockbuster summer for package printers. By Chris Bauer IT LAYS DOWN ink thicker than the British accents of the Red Coats in the movie "The Patriot." The eye-catching graphics it produces grab your attention faster than Renee Zellweger in "Me, Myself & Irene." It's much quicker than any of the bulging characters in "Big Momma's House," and the quality work it produces will definitely keep your business afloat—unlike George Clooney's doomed Massachusetts swordfishing boat, the Andrea Gail, in "The Perfect Storm." Of course screen presses are not usually associated

Combination presses continue to gain popularity. See what the experts say is the right combo for your shop. By Chris Bauer PACKAGERS can be on top of their market's mountaintop one day, just to find themselves outdated the next, with newcomers climbing up quickly. Competition for niche markets can be fierce, and you must have the equipment to win the battles for survival. This fight goes on in the package printing industry, as new packages demand new production methods. According to Mark Herrmann, president and CEO of Comco, "We are part of an industry in transition. Today's printer is being asked to create more