June 2004 Issue
Getting Better All the Time
Improved raw materials help spur growth of energy-curable inks. LUCK IS WINNING the lottery with a million-to-one chance, or catching the winning homerun ball in the deciding game of the World Series. But luck rarely has anything to do with success, as is the case with energy-curable inks, which have been increasing in demand thanks to the results of a lot of money, time, and energy spent in R&D. In the last few years, use of ultra-violet (UV) and electron beam (EB) inks has continued to grow with the introduction of new curing technologies, better inks, and lower costs for both. UV inks have
Investing in a Brighter Future
Package printers are following a trend of increased capital spending on new printing technology. By Tom Polischuk Editor-In-Chief THERE ARE HIGH expectations (if not just high hopes) that 2004 will be a breakout year for the U.S. economy in general, and the packaging segment in particular. It has been a long arduous wait, especially since signs of a turnaround have been apparent for some time now. It just seems like everyone is lined up at the starting line for the race to begin, but the starter's pistol just keeps on misfiring. A good indicator of both current business expectations and future economic performance
Maintenance Relief
With no gears to wear down or adjust, gearless presses help reduce maintenance in the printing process. PRESS MAINTENANCE IS a four-letter word. It's essential for high-quality printing results, but the more time a printer spends on maintaining the condition of its equipment, the less time it spends printing—meaning lost profits. There may be an answer to the evils of maintenance, however, for those companies willing and able to front a hefty capital investment. Gearless presses, driven by servo-motor technology, hit the market about 10 years ago, boasting such advantages over conventional presses as infinite repeat sizes, easier registration, and improved quality control
Recipe for Success - Growth is Key
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
Splish Splash, I was Takin' a Bath ...
Converters will be singing once they've mastered keeping their anilox rolls clean with these supplier cleaning tips! By Joy English Assistant Editor IT'S BATH TIME! And a mother's famous words, "Don't forget to scrub behind your ears," are ringing loud and clear. Bath time, to a child anyway, is never much fun. But, it is necessary—and for anilox rolls, it is essential. For anilox rolls, scrubbing the hard-to-reach areas is key to removing dried ink. And just using water will not get the job done. A cleaning system must be used. Several suppliers have given packagePRINTING their top anilox roll cleaning tips, while several
Store Shelves are Sparkling
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,
The Critical Nature of the Prototype
Even with computer renderings aiding in early packaging evaluations, it's important not to overlook the sense of touch. YOU ARE PARTICIPATING in a specifications meeting during the early phase of a new package's lifecycle—its birth, from concept to idea. But do ideas always look better on paper? Change the term "paper" to substrate and add a three-dimensional flavor and Rob Wallace, managing partner of New York-based Wallace Church, would say, "absolutely." Wallace is on the front lines of taking a package concept to maturity—from the glimmering imagination crafted by zealous marketing professionals, to a carefully designed concept that can stand on its own
