packagePRINTING February 2009
A Counterfeit Story
Counterfeiting medicine is a heinous crime. The perpetrators of these crimes prey on unsuspecting, often ill, people. The victims of these crimes can receive their medications from an online source, a corner pharmacy, or a national pharmacy chain.
A New Case for Paperboard Packaging?
There are some things as an advocate of paperboard packaging you would expect to hear from me—how it protects, promotes, identifies, and informs the consumer better than any other form of container; how the printing quality of the folding carton, and now in some instances the corrugated box, is unequaled; how it offers visibility, product differentiation, and style versatility in almost limitless combinations; and how it meets the challenges of distribution, freight, and maximizing shelf space.
Feels Light, Less Filling
Putting ink on paper to convey a message has become second nature, so it’s almost hard to believe there would be anything new to talk about. However, paperboard suppliers continue to innovate. Helped along, no doubt by the Wal-Mart Scorecard, printers of paperboard packaging face informing their customers about virgin paperboard grades as well as myriad recycling grades.
Inspection Rewinders Product Roundup
Roundup of Inspection Rewinder Systems for Packaging Printing Applications.
Packaging industry not spared by tough economy
The economy has not been exactly easy on American industry as of late. And, businesses in the package-printing industry are no exception to those dealing with the difficult times. With consumers and business partners cutting back on spending, it has been a rough few months. Some companies are still doing well, others are struggling, and some are closing their doors.
Plan Ahead
Brand fraud costs the world economy billions of dollars each year, as consumers are deceived by inferior and possibly harmful knockoffs of luxury goods, medicines, and consumer products. With monetary damage like this—and even more severe consequences, such as in the case of bogus medicine—it is essential that package printers and converting companies take proactive steps to protect their customers’ brands and products from external threats.
Ready, (Off)Set, Go!
Today’s printing and converting companies have to be distinctive. In some way, shape, or form, they have to be a valuable (and hopefully invaluable) resource to their customers. There are innumerable ways this can be accomplished and there’s obviously no cookie-cutter path to success.
Special Effects
Decorative foils continue to hold a strong presence on consumer product labels and cartons. Studies show that more than 70 percent of purchasing decisions are made once they are at the retail store. This provides brand managers and packaging designers the opportunity to set their products apart from others on the shelf through eye-catching labeling and packaging.
Stay Positive
There is no doubt we are facing some very difficult times. Businesses in virtually every segment of our society are struggling. Cities and states are facing significant budget deficits, and the Federal Government is putting together another spending package that’s closing in on a trillion dollars—that’s a one, followed by 12 zeros; one million millions.
What’s Lean Mean? …
Lean Manufacturing has been an important topic for the package-printing industry (and all U.S. manufacturing, for that matter) for many years now. Printers have most likely engaged in Lean Manufacturing processes without even knowing it. Why? Because Lean is all about reducing/eliminating waste and improving productivity. Any business that hasn’t been seriously engaged in these activities is probably having a difficult time in today’s competitive landscape.
What’s Not To Like?
Among the key influencers driving the implementation of monitor-based soft proofing and online collaboration, reduced costs and shorter time to market are twin forces to be reckoned with. Decreasing the number of hard copy proofs that are produced and shared among multiple stakeholders in different locations simultaneously yields savings in the form of shipping costs, faster customer signoffs, and potentially significant reductions in chemistry, materials, power, and other elements of the hardcopy proofing process
