September 2003 Issue

 

Back to Basics

An update on cores, shafts, and chucks technology. CORES, SHAFTS, AND chucks can easily be compared to "all the little people" of the film industry. From light technicians to make-up artists to set designers, the work of the people behind the scenes makes a big impact on a movie's turnout. Likewise, despite the seemingly harmlessness of cores, shafts, and chucks, their performance is very important to the outcome of every print job. Core knowledge Cores provide the backbones for many substrates and tapes. While there may appear not to be much difference between company offerings, there are. Double E. Co. (West Bridgewater, Mass.) offers

Color Management Part 1

Using knowledge of how humans see color, along with data from instruments such as densitometers and spectrophotometers, color can be mapped just like DNA. THE CONCEPT OF color management is fascinating, and more than a little controversial. To those of you that took exception to the suggestion in last month's story (Proofing By the Numbers, August 2003) that color management was easy enough for a college student, I humbly concede. There is a wider body of knowledge, and more tools available for controlling color than ever before. Even so, that does not make the theory of color any easier to understand. Color management can

Contracts with Colorful Capabilities

Print shops welcome cost-saving opportunities by bringing ink technology in-house with the help of suppliers. WHAT'S COOKING IN more of today's in-house ink kitchens are cost-cutting management practices and first-rate capabilities. Many converters can attribute this to special contractual agreements between ink suppliers and print shops. The agreements, many developed more than a decade ago, have helped converters bring inking competency and ink professionals on-site, allowing them to focus on printing during a time when the ability to handle more short-run jobs and fast turnarounds is imperative to stay competitive. From the beginning Ink agreements run the gamut, ranging from complete overhauls of the

Cover Story--Wide-Open Opportunities

Coating Excellence International produces photo-quality images with water-based inks on W&H flexo presses. COATING EXCELLENCE INTERNATIONAL (CEI, Wrightstown, Wis.) started out in life in 1997 as an extrusion company, focusing on poly-coating and poly-laminating paper substrates using a 105" Egan Davis Standard high-speed extruder. It wasn't long, however, before the company expanded into the printing business, installing a new 8-color Windmoeller & Hoelscher flexographic press in January of 2000. Later that same year, CEI doubled its capacity, adding another 105" Egan extruder, a second Windmoeller & Hoelscher press, and support equipment. The company has continued to expand its facilities, adding two additional Windmoeller &

Reduce VOC Emissions and Costs

Pollution abatement systems are designed with heat recovery systems that can reduce overall energy costs. VOCS IS A four-letter "word." So is cost. Package printers working with solvent-based inks must deal with these profanities on a continual basis—eliminating the emission of VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and other air pollutants, while minimizing costs. It's a dual-edge sword that has gotten sharper over the past couple of years due to significantly higher energy costs. VOCs, along with nitrous oxide (NOx), are detrimental to air quality because of the ozone that is produced when sunlight acts on these pollutants. Ozone is the primary component of smog,

The Growing Shrink Label

Shrink stock continues to steal the spotlight in the world of labels. TO EFFECTIVELY MARKET a consumer product, follow these directions: apply brightly printed shrink label to a smartly-shaped container and watch it fly off the store shelf. Okay, it's not that easy and maybe shrink sleeves aren't that good. But shrink labels are growing at an astounding rate, and their brilliant, 360° graphics and ability to contour to sleek container designs appeal to consumers. Simply put, shrink labels look good and sell their products. Endless possibilities Body labels such as shrink sleeves are expected to grow at a clip of about

Thermal Transfer

Thermal transfer printing is a proven, versatile printing process that continues to expand its reach. THERMAL TRANSFER PRINTING is a proven, industrial printing process that can be tailored to meet a wide range of application needs. Its tracks can be found in everything from coffee bags, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, snack foods, prepared foods, and processed meats and cheeses, says Glenn Breslauer, director of IT marketing for Bell-Mark Corp. (Pine Brook, N.J.). One of the reasons for this widespread use is its ability to print variable information. "Thermal transfer allows a package to be coded with variable information in real-time," states Breslauer. "Not only