UPM Raflatac

In the world of packaging, labels lead in the adoption of digital with rapid growth in both electrophotography and inkjet. While the main force behind this is the proliferation of SKUs, driven by the brands, there are many other factors that are enabling this growth.

Set to be the largest in the show’s 33 year history, Labelexpo Europe 2013 returns to Belgium between September 24-27. "There is nowhere better to see the latest product launches, compare technologies, network and do business," said Lisa Milburn, managing director of the Labelexpo Global Series.

One of the largest independently owned pressure sensitive label printing and converting companies in the United States, Diversified Labeling Solutions has partnered with iSys Label. Diversified will be carrying the entire line of digital materials that has been approved by iSys Label and UPM Raflatac, including paper stocks and durable film face stocks in a selection with both permanent and removable adhesives.

The impact of shorter production runs, combined with the established practices at lean, productive companies to minimize inventories at all stages of production, has resulted in many supply chain changes, including those at converters that supply materials to package printers.

UPM Raflatac has qualified more than 40 products for both the APEX 1290 press and the EDGE 850 desktop label printer and expects to qualify additional products as its print-on-demand product portfolio expands in the Americas. It recently qualified a wide range of paper and film labelstocks for iSys Label’s market-leading LED toner-based digital label printers.

UPM Raflatac's RH15 products offer a high initial tack and lasting adhesion that allows labelstocks to adhere to items with high-condensation, moisture or frost—including corrugated cardboard. They’re ideal for food packaging and greenhouse/plant nursery environments, as well as retail information; and logistics and transport labeling. They new adhesive can even be used for indirect poultry labeling, and will stick to frozen- and thawed-poultry packaging.

This year’s AWA Label Release Liner Industry Seminar, held in Chicago, did not disappoint. A full program of papers, plus a lively Q&A session and a tabletop exhibition, made the day a real forum for information exchange among industry participants, who came from many corners of the world and many levels of the label release liner value chain.

At Labelexpo Americas 2012, a steady parade of show attendees were treated to a wide array of new products and technology demonstrations. A major highlight of the show, the Label Industry Global Awards 2012, took place on Tuesday, Sept. 11 at the Aragon Ballroom in Chicago. Steve Lee, vice president of technology at RotoMetrics, was honored with the prestigious R Stanton Avery Lifetime Achievement Award.

Aimed at printers, brand owners, end users, designers and industry suppliers, the South China Label Show 2012 is reported to be one of the largest events for labels, package printing, product decoration and converting in the area. The event will take place in the new, larger Pazhou Exhibition Centre in Guangzhou between Dec. 4-6 2012.

More than 30 labelstocks for EFI’s state-of-the-art digital Jetrion Industrial Inkjet Systems, including the 4000, 4830 and 4900 series of UV inkjet presses, have now been qualified by UPM Raflatac. “UPM Raflatac is pleased to partner with EFI to offer labelstock converters and their customers a complete digital printing solution,” said Patrick Goss, prime business director, Americas, UPM Raflatac.