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| Proper calibration and use of the ICC colour profile appropriate for your RIP software avoid excessive ink deposit and ensure accurate colour reproduction. Bleeding, mottling, banding and warping all can be linked to poor calibrating and profiling. |
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"I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around the banks will deprive the people of all property until their children wake-up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered."
- Thomas Jefferson - |
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The United States and Canada are the world's largest producers of paper and paper products.
Australians use seven billion plastic shopping bags each year which each take 1000 years to break down.
In February 1878, the first telephone book was published in New Haven, Connecticut. The book was one page long and had fifty names in it.
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| This week at Printers Post: |
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Better business at Foodtech Packtech
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More than 180 exhibitors over 4,200 square metres of space at the ASB Showgrounds in Greenlane, Auckland from October 21-23, demonstrated the very latest advances in the food and technology sectors. Endorsed by both the New Zealand Institute of Food Science and Technology (NZIFST) and the Packaging Council of New Zealand (Pac.NZ), Foodtech Packtech has always been a must-attend for those wanting to stay ahead of the game and ensure their companies remain
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 | competitive. “With many exhibitors launching new products and technology – and ensuring that their top experts are on hand at the event – you really had to be here,” said Irene Smith for show organiser dmg work media.
A world-first was heralded on the stand of Peacocks NZ Ltd. The Sky-Trax Indoor vehicle positioning solution with integrated RFID technology was first installed and implemented by Peacocks NZ into EastPack in New Zealand. This solution is winning awards for innovation and application and provides continuous live visibility of pallets, vehicles and warehouse operations. Heat and Control also had a must-see stand where visitors could experience a live action display of the Ishida Total Packaging System at work. “People could see just how efficient the CCW-R Series multihead weigher and the Atlas 122 Snack Food Bag Maker combination really are,” said Amber Crowley.
Lock Inspection Systems Ltd of the UK launched its fourth generation digital metal detector, the new MET 30+ Universal. Enhanced by all new processor hardware and software, the new unit provides increased sensitivity on dry products by up to 30% with the High Frequency detector which operates at 875 kHz; and unrivalled sensitivity with product for all other products even if they are high temperature, wet or wrapped in metallised film.
At Foodtech Packtech this year was proof that New Zealand food and chemical manufacturers finally have the choice of environmentally friendly large-volume PET containers thanks to innovative new manufacturing company, Bottles Ltd. The company offers a variety of stock products, ranging from a 10-litre bottle with an integrated handle and an offset neck for easy and fast pouring, right down to a 5-litre bottle, also with a handle.
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Joint venture acquires Anzpac Services in regional expansion push
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An investor group comprising Tien Wah Press Holdings Berhad and New Toyo International Holdings is to acquire the entire share capital of Anzpac Services from British American Tobacco Australasia Ltd (BATA), a 59.5%-owned unit of British American Tobacco PLC (BAT). The deal, worth 60 million Australian dollars in cash, will see the formation of a joint venture with Tien Wah Press Holdings owning
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 | 51% and New Toyo International Holdings the remaining 49%.
BATA currently employs approximately 2,300 employees, in Australia, New Zealand and the rest of the Australasian region. Its principal operation is the production and marketing of a wide range of tobacco products including cigarette brands such as Winfield, Dunhill and Benson & Hedges. The volume of cigarettes produced annually is 18,000 million. BATA is the market leader in the Australasian regions with an approximate market share of 45% in Australia and 75% in New Zealand.
The principal activities of Anzpac is the supply of printed tobacco cartons to BATA and British American Tobacco’s regional companies’ and general folding cartons to domestic companies supplying the FMCG sector in fast food, breakfast cereals and confectionary markets. Located in Smithfield, Anzpac is the sole supplier of printed cartons to British American Tobacco companies in Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific Islands of Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Samoa and Solomon Islands.
The acquisition will enable the Group to secure a significant portion of the cigarette printed carton market in the Asia Pacific region as there are accompanying supply agreements for the exclusive supply of 100% of BAT’s printed carton requirements for Australasia, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam for seven years with a right of refusal to supply for an additional three years.
Gary Yen, executive director and CEO, New Toyo International Holdings, said the volumes under these supply agreements will significantly increase the printer carton volumes of the Group and also secure the business for the long term. This is in line with the Group’s strategy to expand its printing and packaging business regionally and establish a position as a leading print packaging group in the region.
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EskoArtwork’s Digital Flexo Suite for Labels integrates all flexo related devices into a cost-effective solution.
Digital flexo: a driving force in the production of flexo plates
EskoArtwork’s solutions, particularly in collaborative workflows and consultancy programs, can help printers grow their businesses and make them more profitable. EskoArtwork and DuPont have been driving the development of digital flexo for more than 10 years, setting the standards in flexo quality and productivity for labels and packaging. The Cyrel Digital Imager (CDI) Spark 2530 images digital flexo plates up to 25” x 30”, a perfect size for tag and label converters. The CDI Spark 2120, a small footprint, entry-level priced CDI, is a dedicated digital flexo solution for smaller narrow web/label trade shops and converters who want to be competitive.
To support flexo plate imaging, EskoArtwork’s Digital Flexo Suite for Labels integrates all flexo related devices into a cost-effective solution that simplifies flexo plate room operation: from the digital file to the finished flexo plate, including plate cutting on the Kongsberg table.
PlatePrep automatically crops, sorts and arranges labels on a large flexo plate for an efficient and cost-effective plate output—with as little waste as possible. When a plate is filled with labels, it is sent to a CDI flexo plate imager. Concurrently, information about the plate is sent to a Kongsberg cutting table, where the individual label separations are cut automatically. The Kongsberg table not only cuts flexo plates as part of the Digital Flexo Suite for Labels, but also cost-efficiently and swiftly cuts and finishes various label and label-like materials.
“Because of our unparalleled experience working with the label industry, we understand the economic and production issues facing label converters,” says Carsten Knudsen, president and CEO of EskoArtwork. “We continue to build on the most complete set of tools for label printers, and explore new ways to design and produce labels to best serve the ultimate customer, the brand owner. With hardware and software solutions that truly shorten the packaging design lifecycle, we continue to be a partner for all members of the supply chain.”
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Lee Wearne from ATA Distributors, Frances Regan, Ai Group and Pierre Pienaar, FAIP at AIP's half day course in Melbourne.
AIP offers an introduction to the economics of packaging
The Australian Institute of Packaging, in conjunction with Ai Group, ran the first of two half day training courses on the Introduction to the Economics of Packaging on October 21 with twelve companies represented at the Melbourne event. Pierre Pienaar FAIP addressed the topical subject of evaluating packaging costs in a tutorial that included visual examples of Pienaar’s own work and that of other experts.
Packaging represents a major cost to its brand owners and users of packaging remain under constant pressure from rising costs due to raw materials, energy and on-costs. Understanding what is ‘cost-effective packaging’ and how to achieve it – remains the key to ensuring that acompany remains competitive in today’s tough trading environment where margins are being squeezed from both ends. Maximising sales. while minimising the total distribution costs, reflects the techno-economic function of the packaging technologist – a function that is important for all segments of an organisation to understand.
The half-day course offers a clear comprehensive and precise, non-mathematical introduction to packaging economics. It touches on the choice of materials and the associated costs, what drives packaging costs, how and what to look out for in cost savings within the boundaries of packaging. Covering primary and secondary packaging, this course will assist not only with driving efficiencies across existing packaging formats but will also aid in new product development.
How to prevent unnecessary costs creeping into the supply chain and identify the factors required for successful packaging from a cost perspective are just two of the topics under discussion. Attendees acquire an appreciation of future trends and developments with the cost confines of packaging. The course concludes with applications in the industry, associated problems, choosing the correct packaging for the application and which aspects of packaging to avoid with cost in mind.
The AIP has designed the course for people who have a direct involvement in packaging operations within all packaging associated industries. This includes the production, development, technology, purchasing, sales, QA/QC, marketing, regulatory and development functions. The Brisbane event will take place at Mount Ommaney Hotel Apartments commencing at noon on November 19.
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Kimberly-Clark Australia Packaging team.
Teamwork helps KCA secure Packaging Evolution Award
Kimberly-Clark Australia has won an award for the most innovative packaging waste management solution in this year’s Packaging Evolution Awards. This is the second time that Kimberly-Clark has been recognised in the Awards; last year Kimberly-Clark won the ‘Best in Personal Care’ and ‘Best in Show’ awards. The Packaging Evolution Awards recognise the National Packaging Covenant (NPC) achievements of companies in Australia and New Zealand.
Kimberly-Clark’s environmental management of packaging together with cost savings and excellence in packaging print quality presented a very compelling case for the most innovative solution to the award judges. The 2008 entry was recognised for the recent film weight reductions for Thick & Thirsty kitchen towel, film reductions for Huggies bulk nappies, continuing work on Kleenex toilet tissue, Viva paper towel and Wondersoft toilet tissue reductions and the identification of reductions for facial corrugated board.
“The award acknowledged the way we go about packaging development and the application of packaging technology knowledge which we continually update via our training and interaction with our mills and suppliers. We also have excellent on-site packaging waste management programs which add further dimensions to our annual NPC reporting,” said Kimberly-Clark’s packaging manager, Frank Bova.
In addition to winning the ‘Most Innovative Waste Management Solution’ award, Kimberly-Clark was also a finalist in the ‘Community Care’ category of this year’s awards, as a result of the marketing efforts of its Community Care program, Wondersoft toilet tissue promotion and the Clean Up Australia initiatives of the Schools Education Campaign.
“It is a truly fabulous result to win the NPC Innovation Award and to reach the finalist stage for Community Care,” said Bova. “It shows the great teamwork that we have in Kimberly-Clark and the effort we put into developing innovative solutions to streamline and continuously improve our packaging solutions.”
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UV flexo scratch-off inks offer on-press convenience
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New silver 'scratch-off' inks that perform their key function and at the same time offer a high degree of on-press convenience in UV flexo printing have been introduced by Flint Group Narrow Web.
UV Flexo Scratch-off Inks can be used for all familiar promotional, game card, and entertainment applications, and can be easily removed with a
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 | rigid device such as a coin or fingernail. Two qualities are offered, delivering a choice of a pliable, or soft-scratch ink, or a semi-pliable, hard-scratch ink. They deliver the same pigmentation and opacity, but differing degrees of 'scratch-ability'. Properly applied, they have a shelf life of at least six months, making them a strong proposition for long-term promotions. They can be overprinted with a message or pattern to further disguise a hidden message using Flint Group Narrow Web's Flexocure Pantone black ink with UV silicone additive.
UV Flexo Scratch-off Inks are single-component, press-ready inks which combine on-press stability with good curing speeds on the majority of today's flexo presses. The photoinitiator system was specially selected to allow for improved ink through-cure, and give the required end-use performance. Best results are achieved if the inks are used with Flint Group Narrow Web's dedicated UV flexo release coating, which protects the 'hidden message' and provides optimum release for the scratch-off layer.
The inks – which meet relevant international health and safety requirements – have been extensively tested on a variety of substrates, with optimal results on non-porous materials such as smooth coated tag papers and highly-calendered papers, PE, both topcoated and non-topcoated, and topcoated PP.
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AUSPACK is designed to bring together all sectors of the industry.
Four days. 200 exhibitors. 900 brands. AUSPACK 2009…
At next year’s AUSPACK, visitors will have the opportunity to gain insight in to everything from automated processing machinery, robotics, mixing and batching equipment, product identification solutions, quality process and ancillary equipment, plastics extrusion, powder and liquid fillers, shrink wrap packaging machines and much much more. Held at the Sydney Showgrounds, Sydney Olympic Park, from June 16 - 19, AUSPACK will have over 200 exhibitors under one roof showcasing over 900 brands.
Rob Keen, event director, Exhibitions & Trade Fairs (ETF) describes AUSPACK as “the one exhibition designed to bring together all industries. Regardless of whether you come from food, beverage, packaging, pharmaceutical, manufacturing, warehousing and logistics, medical or wine; there is something for everyone. Close to 60% of the exhibition space has now been booked; which is a true indication of the success of this event.”
Just some of the exhibitors in 2009 include: ABB Australia, Beumer, Beverage Packaging Solutions, Contract Packaging Systems (CPS), Fallsdell Machinery, Heat & Control, ITW Industrial Packaging, JL Lennard, The Le Mac Group, KHS Pacific, Markem-Imaje, Norsdon Australia, Propac Industrial, Rhima Australia, Rockwell Automation, RML, Sancell, Selpak Automation, Solari Packaging Systems, Ulma Packaging, Visy Automation and Walls Machinery. In addition there will be a significant amount of international exhibitors to see including: AmbaFlex, Beumer, Food Processing Equipment, Jackway Convertor Industries, Krueger & Salecker, Sky Softgel Co and Utien Pack Co.
“2009 will be the fourth time that Markem-Imaje has participated in this prestigious event - formerly exhibiting as Imaje Coding Technology and Unimark,” said Linda Gleeson, national business manager, Markem-Imaje. “We view AUSPACK as a significant exhibition in the Australian packaging industry as it provides an opportunity to showcase new cutting-edge technology and provide solutions to the FMCG and packaging industry as a whole.”
Bizerba Australia will be exhibiting as part of its process to establish the company locally. “While Bizerba is well known in Europe and North America, we see AUSPACK 2009 as an opportunity to promote our weighing and labelling technologies to the Australasian industry,” said national sales manager Grant Harpur.
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A new solution for on-demand automatic labelling
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Dy-Mark Identification Solutions has recently announced the arrival of the Collamat Etiprint labelling series into Australia and New Zealand. Available in both Print & Apply and Inline modules, the Collamat Etiprint series can solve all on-demand automatic labelling requirements, according to Mark Luft, national sales manager, Dy-Mark Identification Solutions.
The Etiprint series are compact in design and built to suit harsh and
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 | rugged environments. Their modular design also ensures ease of integration into any sized production line. The reputable Collamat brand is designed in the highest Swiss quality, guaranteeing highly durable mechanics suitable for rugged conditions.
The Collamat Etiprint Print & Apply is the ideal solution for printing on-demand labelling where the last printed label is directly applied to the product. It has been designed to suit harsh environments and the modular applicators system allows top, bottom, left, right or edge labeling now possible – with the same base module. Etiprint Print & Apply has the capacity to print up to 80 labels per minute with a minimum label length of 30 mm and a maximum length of 150mm.
With the Collamat Etiprint Inline you get the best of two technologies in one unit. It has the ability to apply labels up to 50 metres per minute and also prints variable data. The Etiprint Inline is also capable of printing in 4, 5 and 6 inch capacity.
“The Collamat technology allows the operator the highest print performance without having to lose production performance. Built with approved Collamat parts, the system achieves a higher performance than usual print and apply systems, due to its application speed and placement accuracy,” Luft observed.
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New workflow solutions for the flexographic and packaging market
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A highlight at drupa and Labelexpo 2008 from Compose System was the new release of FlexoFlow, a simple production workflow system tailored to the needs of the flexographic and packaging market. This workflow solution provides users with a set of ease-to-use production tools. It includes specific flexographics and packaging modules such as the BoxPro, hybrid screening, Star Proof and Plate Controller and provides great flexibility for users to configure different work paths for different
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As a true dot proofing solution, Star Proof - Flexo offers powerful capabilities to produce top quality screened proofs in its analytical engine, Actual Dot. It analyses the CMYK dot patterns, screened angles of high resolution separations and reproduces these by creating arrangements of hard dots on the proof. For packaging applications, Star Proof provides a set of powerful features that recognise the special dot characteristics to ensure proofs accurately reflect what will be produced on the press.
Screening dots prepared for flexo plates are normally adjusted in width or height by a small percentage to compensate for expansion during printing. Distortion expands distorted dots to the original size with user controls to correct the size of the screening dots based on the original distortion ratio or the expansion ratio. It also compensates for the loss of small dots in the transfer to flexo plates during printing. By entering a Dot Lost size, any screening dots smaller than this size will be removed and will not appear on the proof.
BoxPro is an easy-to-use box design and labelling application, which comes with a comprehensive set of modules that enable users to quickly merge graphics design with box design layout. Users can view the final design and the box fold-up sequence in 3D simulation using the BoxPro Viewer, an Adobe Illustrator plugin based on the latest OpenGL technology.
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MetalFX for flexo premieres at Graph Expo 2008
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MetalFX Technology, a Ciba subsidiary, is demonstrating the flexographic version of its popular metallic printing technology at Graph Expo 2008 in Chicago. MetalFX for Flexo, which was a recent winner of the prestigious PIA/GATF InterTech Technology Award, debuted at drupa 2008.
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 | Commenting on the addition of MetalFX for Flexo to the popular MetalFX product line, MetalFX vice president – Americas Mark Geeves said: “With MetalFX for Flexo, printers and converters can now achieve the same startling effects with flexography that lithographic printers have long enjoyed. MetalFX for Flexo is particularly well-suited for packaging applications."
MetalFX for flexo is expected to be particularly popular among label and package printers, offering them a significantly lower cost alternative to foil stamping and metallic substrates, and enhanced design capabilities for packaging.
MetalFX, a recent Ciba Specialty Chemicals Corporation acquisition, is a universal process and spot metallic colour system that allows millions of metallic colours to be printed, all by adding only the one base silver ink to the usual CMYK mix. Ciba Specialty brings more than 40 years of experience in colour matching to the worldwide graphic arts, paints, plastics, fibres and ceramic industries.
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