August 2006 Issue
CORRUGATED (POST/DIRECT PRINT) - FLEXO (LINE & SCREEN)
FIRST PLACE Castle Rock, Adams, Wis. Point Light Plates: Bobst Plates: Printron Anilox Rolls: Harper Dies: Jonco Ink: INX SECOND PLACE Smurfit-MBI, Mississauga, Ontario Life Saver’s Sweet Storybook Display Press: DRO Martin
CORRUGATED (POST/DIRECT PRINT) - FLEXO (PROCESS)
FIRST PLACE Castle Rock, Adams, Wis. 5 Pound Variety Pack Press: Bobst Plates: Southern Graphics Systems Anilox Rolls: Harper Inks: INX SECOND PLACE Castle Rock, Adams, Wis. James Page Amber Press: Bobst Plates: Printron Anilox Rolls: Harper Inks: INX THIRD PLACE Castle Rock, Adams, Wis. 3 Pound Variety Pack Press: Bobst Plates: Southern Graphics Systems Anilox Rolls: Harper Inks: INX
CORRUGATED-FLEXO (LINE & SCREEN)
SECOND PLACE Temple Inland Graphics Resource Center, Indianapolis, Ind. Early Times 750 ml PET Press: Fischer & Krecke Plates: DuPont Anilox Rolls: Praxair Ink/Coating/Adhesive: Flint Ink
CORRUGATED-FLEXO (PROCESS)
FIRST PLACE Temple Inland Graphics Resource Center, Indianapolis, Ind. 24˝ Vidalia Onion Bulk Bin Press: Fischer & Krecke Plates: DuPont Anilox Rolls: Praxair Substrate: MeadWestvaco Ink/Coating/Adhesive: Flint Ink SECOND PLACE Temple Inland Graphics Resource Center, Indianapolis, Ind. Mickey’s Fine Malt Liquor Press: Fischer & Krecke Plates: DuPont Anilox Rolls: Praxair Ink/Coating/Adhesive: Flint Ink THIRD PLACE Temple Inland Graphics Resource Center, Indianapolis, Ind. Pero Sweet Peppers—Greenhouse Grown Press: Fischer & Krecke Plates: DuPont Anilox Rolls: Praxair Substrate: MeadWestvaco Ink/Coating/Adhesive: Flint Ink
Cures for Wider Webs?
Flexo has long been crowned the fastest growing graphic arts application for UV technology, and experts say usage continues to climb across all press widths. On narrow-web presses in particular, UV curing systems have moved decisively into standard component territory. “Now it would be very rare for a [narrow-web] press not to have at least one UV [unit] … and most presses are all UV,” affirms John Mitchell, sales/product manager, UVTechnology. By contrast, UV ink usage remains more of a specialty than a must for mid- and wide-web flexo printers, but interest has reportedly been building in the past several years, particularly for mid-web
Early Adopters in RFID Converting
FID has exploded through the critical mass point, with more and more companies getting involved. A few companies, though, have been producing RFID products for several years now. In the following Q&A, several of these companies describe their involvement over the years and some of their experiences. pP: What is your company’s background? Nancy Mitchell, national product manager, RFID, RR Donnelley—RR Donnelley is a full-service global print provider and the largest printing company in North America, serving customers in publishing, healthcare, advertising, retail, telecommunications, technology, financial services, and many other industries. Founded more than 140 years ago, the company provides solutions in commercial printing, forms and
FLEXIBLE PACKAGING - FLEXO (LINE & SCREEN)
FIRST PLACE American Packaging Corp., Story City, Iowa Hershey’s 1.4 oz Take 5 Cookie Press: Windmoeller and Hoelscher Plates: DuPont Anilox Rolls: Interflex Ink/Coating/Adhesive: INX SECOND PLACE American Packaging Corp., Story City, Iowa Twisted Flavors Variety Bag Press: Windmoeller and Hoelscher Plates: DuPont Anilox Rolls: Interflex Ink/Coating/Adhesive: INX THIRD PLACE Lable Technology, Merced, Calif. Arbonne Nutrimin C Press: PCMC Anilox Rolls: Harper Ink/Coating/Adhesive: INX
FLEXIBLE PACKAGING - FLEXO (PROCESS)
FIRST PLACE Spectrum Label Corp., Hayward, Calif. Magic - The Gathering Press: Mark Andy Plates: DuPont Anilox Rolls: Harper Dies: RotoMetrics Substrate: American Packaging Ink/Coating/Adhesive: Siegwerk, NAPZ, XSYS SECOND PLACE Label Technology, Merced, Calif. Victoria’s Secret Very Sexy Press: PCMC Plates: DuPont Anilox Rolls: Harper Ink: INX
FLEXIBLE PACKAGING - OFFSET
FIRST PLACE Hammer Packaging, Rochester, N.Y. Livingston Seeds Press: Harris Plates: Kodak Dies: Best Die Co. Ink: Flint Ink SECOND PLACE Copac Inc. Greenleaf Citrus Verbena Press: MAN Roland Plates/Screens/Cylinders: Innovation Graphics Dies: Atlas Die Substrate: Atlantic Packaging Ink: Wikoff
FLEXIBLE PACKAGING (GRAVURE)
FIRST PLACE SleeveCo, Inc., Dawsonville, Ga. Bud Light Summer Sports SECOND PLACE Fort Dearborn Co., Elk Grove, Ill. Tropical Coconut Conditioner Bonus! Press: Chestnut Cylinders: Southern Graphics Ink: Sun Chemical THIRD PLACE Fort Dearborn Co., Elk Grove, Ill. All Small & Mighty Press: Rotomec Ink: Sun Chemical
FOLDING CARTON - FLEXO (PROCESS)
FIRST PLACE Diamond Packaging, Rochester, N.Y. Blue Q Birthday Cake Lip Balm Press: Arpeco Plates: DuPont Anilox Rolls: Harper Dies: Diamond Packaging Ink/Coating/Adhesive: Flint Ink
FOLDING CARTON - OFFSET (DVD/MEDIA JACKETS)
FIRST PLACE Bert Co., Los Angeles, Calif. Kingdom of Heaven Press: Mitsubishi SECOND PLACE MPS/General Converting Inc., Bolingbrook, Ill. The Frighteners Press: Heidelberg THIRD PLACE MPS/General Converting Inc., Bolingbrook, Ill. American Gothic Press: Heidelberg Plates: Classical Color Graphics Dies: In House Ink/Coating/Adhesive: Ink Systems
FOLDING CARTON - OFFSET (PRODUCT PACKAGING/DISPLAYS)
FIRST PLACE Bert Co., Los Angeles, Calif. Logitech NuLOOQ SECOND PLACE Rex Corporation, Jacksonville, Fla. 2005 Cigar Association of America Annual Meeting Carton Press: KBA Plates: Kodak Dies: Atlas Die Ink/Coating/Adhesive: Wikoff THIRD PLACE Boutwell, Owens & Co., Inc., Fitzhburg, Mass. DMI-Sudden Sun Therapy Press: Mitsubishi Plates: Agfa Dies: WR Sharples Ink/Coating/Adhesive: Wikoff
FOLDING CARTON - OFFSET (SELF PROMOTION)
FIRST PLACE Diamond Packaging, Rochester, N.Y. Diamond Packaging 2006 Calendar Press: Heidelberg Plates: Kodak Dies: Universal Engraving, Diamond Packaging Ink/Coating/Adhesive: Flint Ink
How Converters Can Make RFID Labels
Part One: Low Cost Entry — Wrapping Electronics RFID is an important enabling technology that appears in an ever-widening variety of applications. In the past, the emergence of barcodes helped create a large label market that lasted for one or two decades before people figured out how to print the barcodes directly on to packaging and products. So, today only 5-15 percent of barcodes appear as labels. However, there are now so many barcodes required—up to 10 trillion yearly—that even the minor percentage still taking the form of labels constitutes a substantial business. This label business will endure because the labels perform special functions,
Inks That Shrink
With the use of shrink-sleeve labeling for product decoration growing at a double-digit rate, suppliers of shrink film inks are developing a steady stream of products to carve out a piece of the action. But in addition to the normal adhesion issues that are common with non-porous film applications, shrink inks have several other factors to contend with that make their development more challenging. Some of these issues include distortion (cracking, delamination, etc.), blocking, coefficient of friction (COF), and in food and beverage applications, low odor. Demanding applications Shrink labeling is growing in popularity because it offers brand managers at least two advantages. It
LABELS - COMBINATION PROCESS
FIRST PLACE McDowell Label and Screen Printing Co., Inc., Plano, Texas 2006 Calendar Press: Gallus Plates/Screens/Cylinders: DuPont, Gallus, Wilson Mfg. Anilox Rolls: Harper Dies: Wilson SECOND PLACE Labelad Ltd., Markham, Ontario Mickey Christmas Press: Arsoma Plates/Sreens: Flint Group/Gallus Anilox Rolls: Praxair Dies: Webmark Substrates: Fasson Ink/Coatings: Sun Chemical, Rad-Cure THIRD PLACE Spear, Mason, Ohio Bacardi Silver Watermelon Press: GMC Plates/Sreens/Cylinders: DuPont, Gallus, Stork Anilox Rolls: ARC Dies: ADT Substrate: Avery Dennison Ink: Sun Chemical/XSYS
LABELS - DIGITAL
FIRST PLACE McDowell Label and Screen Printing Co., Inc., Plano, Texas Texas Hills Vineyard Press: HP Digital/MPS Plates/Cylinders: DuPont, RotoMetrics Anilox: Harper Dies: Gerhardt Substrate: Fasson SECOND PLACE Prestige Label Co., Inc., Burgaw, N.C. St. Michael’s Winery Press: HP Indigo Dies: Gerhardt Substrate: Fasson, ACPO Ink/Coating/Adhesive: HP Indigo, Northwest Coatings UV
LABELS - FLEXO (LINE & SCREEN)
FIRST PLACE Spectrum Label Corp., Hayward, Calif. Caffe D’Amore - Espressimo Press: Mark Andy Plates/Screens: DuPont Cyrel Anilox Rolls: Praxair Dies: RotoMetrics Substrate: Fasson Ink: Napz, XSYS, Environmental Inks & Coatings SECOND PLACE Spectrum Label Corp., Hayward, Calif. Saveur - Ginger Wasabi ’n Beer Marinade Press: Mark Andy Plates: DuPont Anilox Rolls: Praxair Dies: RotoMetrics Substrate: Fasson Ink: XSYS THIRD PLACE Spectrum Label Corp., Hayward, Calif. Wathen’s - Kentucky Bourbon Press: Mark Andy Plates: DuPont Anilox Rolls: Praxair Dies: RotoMetrics Substrate: Fasson Ink: XSYS, Pro Color
LABELS - FLEXO (PROCESS)
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
LABELS - LETTERPRESS
FIRST PLACE Logotech Inc., Fairfield, N.J. Blue Q Miso Pretty Cassis Shower Gel Press: Gallus Plates: Toray Substrate: Fasson Ink/Coatings: UVitec, Rad-Cure SECOND PLACE Syracuse Label Co., Liverpool, N.Y. Black Magic Tirewet Press: Sanki Plates: Toray Ink: Sun Chemical
LABELS - OFFSET
FIRST PLACE Hammer Packaging, Rochester, N.Y. Propel Press: Mitsubishi Plates: Kodak Ink/Coating/ Adhesive: Flint Ink, Sun Chemical SECOND PLACE Hammer Packaging, Rochester, N.Y. Gatorade Endurance Press: Heidelberg Plates: Kodak Ink/Coating: Flint Ink, Sun Chemical THIRD PLACE Fort Dearborn Co., Elk Grove Village, Ill. Newman’s Own Organic Traditional Herb Press: Mitsubishi Plates: Kodak Ink: INX
LABELS - SCREEN (ROTARY OR FLAT)
FIRST PLACE Spear, Mason, Ohio SoBe Tsunami Press: GMC (Proprietary) Plates/Screens/Cylinders: Gallus, Stork Anilox: ARC Dies: ADT Substrate: Avery Dennison Ink/Coating/Adhesive: Sun Chemical, XSYS SECOND PLACE Spear, Mason, Ohio SoBe Lizard Lightning Press: GMC (Proprietary) Plates/Screens/Cylinders: Gallus, Stork Anilox: ARC Dies: ADT Substrate: Avery Dennison Ink/Coating/Adhesive: Sun Chemical, XSYS THIRD PLACE Spear, Mason, Ohio Cazadores Anejo Press: Kammann Anilox: ARC Dies: ADT Substrate: Avery Dennison Ink/Coating/Adhesive: Sun Chemical, XSYS
Life in the RFID Industry Is Getting Better
As we head into mid-2006, we embrace the many positive changes in the smart label industry. The ratification of the Class 1 Generation 2 ultra-high frequency (UHF) protocol has provided a long-awaited UHF stateside standard. As the EPCglobal organization is progressing to make this a global standard, there are now only a few countries left that have yet to adopt this standard. In the past year, major progress has been made to overcome the RFID issues, which fluids and metals have caused. This will accelerate the ability to implement RFID into these products and increase the demand for high volumes of smart labels. High yields
Picking a Winner
Do you take your shafts and chucks for granted? It’s probably easy to do, because although they are important components in any web handling or printing operation, they don't tend to elicit much excitement. For those companies that supply these components, however, shafts and chucks are exciting and require the high level of attention that is afforded any device that carries heavy weights at high speeds around operating personnel. Mark Fortin, president of Double E Company, points out that the first considerations when specifying shafts has to be structural safety. “That means that the shaft, as a beam, has to be capable of
