TLMI

UPM Raflatac business area will be renamed UPM Adhesive Materials

By: UPM Raflatac

(UPM, Helsinki, June 12, 2025 at 10:00 EEST) – UPM Raflatac business area and reporting segment will be renamed UPM Adhesive Materials as of June 12, 2025. The new reporting segment name will be in use from the Interim Report Q2 2025 onwards.

The name change supports the business area’s strategic direction to accelerate its growth beyond label materials into graphics solutions and specialty tapes. UPM Raflatac will remain a leading, global product brand in the Label materials offering area.

UPM Adhesive Materials leverages its adhesive expertise, material performance, and industry-leading services to deliver value to customers. The business area holds a leading market position in label materials and has expanded significantly in graphics solutions through the acquisitions of AMC AG, Grafityp, and Metamark.

“The new business area name reflects our expanded portfolio and growth aspirations and highlights the value we deliver to our customers through the adhesive material performance,” says Tim Kirchen, Executive Vice President, UPM Adhesive Materials.

 

UPM Adhesive Materials provides high-performance, innovative self-adhesive products, including label materials, graphics solutions, and specialty tapes, as well as reliable services close to customers.  We are one of UPM’s fastest-growing global businesses employing around 3,200 professionals. In 2024, our sales reached nearly €1.6 billion ($1.7 billion).

UPM
UPM is a material solutions company, renewing products and entire value chains with an extensive portfolio of renewable fibres, advanced materials, decarbonization solutions, and communication papers. Our performance in sustainability has been recognized by third parties, including EcoVadis and the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices. We operate globally and employ approximately 15,800 people worldwide, with annual sales of approximately €10.3 billion. Our shares are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd.
UPM – we renew the everyday
Read more: upm.com

eProductivity Software (ePS) Announces General Availability of Cloud-Native ERP Solution for Small, Independent Label Converters

By: eProductivity Software 

Pittsburgh, June 10, 2025 – eProductivity Software (ePS) is proud to announce the general availability of Paxis ERP – a modern, cloud-native ERP solution developed specifically for small and growing, independent label converters. After a successful soft launch at Labelexpo Americas 2024 in Chicago, IL, ePS has refined and augmented the core product by collaborating with early adopters, including its first go-live with Customizable.

 

Market Leader Filling the Gap for Underserved Small Label Converters

The cloud ERP evolution, which brought new cost-effective and easy-to-implement tools, has skipped the needs and limitations of small label converters. Market-specific solutions for this segment remain outdated with unscalable technology, cumbersome user experiences (UX), long and disruptive implementation processes and high overhead to maintain them. As the global leader in business applications for the packaging industry, ePS Packaging designed Paxis ERP to fill this gap. Combining a full-featured and intuitive estimating engine and a clean, modern interface, Paxis delivers on what neither existing industry-specific solutions nor generic cloud ERPs can: speed, simplicity, and control that are tailored to small label converters’ businesses.

 

From Fast Implementation to Fast Results

Limited by budget and available IT resources, these converters often find themselves strained by complex implementations that take months to complete and are then locked into a costly, unfit solution. With Paxis, businesses can use self-guided Smart Help tools to implement their solution in days instead of months—without the need for dedicated IT resources—which drives fast results and enables near-instant ROI. The same tool, combined with a highly intuitive modern interface, remains available to guide businesses through changes and onboard new team members.

 

Turning Vision into Reality with ePS 

California-based innovator of sustainable label solutions, Customizable, turned to ePS for help with making its vision for a more automated future a reality. According to Ryan Casey, CEO of Customizable, “The flexibility and user experience offered by Paxis make it easy to use for startups like ours. The software’s intuitive design has made it easy for us to adapt and significantly reduces our operational challenges.” He adds, “Paxis holds tremendous promise with its capabilities. It is designed to be incredibly powerful and ‘integratable,’ and we are excited about how it will continue to revolutionize our business.”

ePS and Customizable.com will be hosting a live webinar on June 10, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. ET (10:00 a.m. PT/6:00 p.m. BST) where they’ll discuss the challenges facing today’s small, independent label converters and how Paxis ERP can help.

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About ePS Packaging

ePS Packaging, an operating unit of eProductivity Software (ePS), empowers packaging companies around the globe through cutting-edge technology, strategic partnerships, and over 30 years of industry expertise. Its comprehensive ERP, MES, and industry point solutions enable seamless workflow management across corrugated, folding carton, label, and flexible packaging segments. By integrating advanced automation capabilities, these solutions enhance product quality, minimize waste, and maximize throughput, helping businesses lower manufacturing costs, improve efficiency, and achieve sustainable growth. Addressing the unique challenges of the packaging and corrugated industries, ePS Packaging helps companies optimize operations, boost profitability, and thrive in competitive markets. For more information, please visit www.epackagingsw.com.

 

About Customizable

At Customizable, we believe every product deserves packaging that tells its unique story. With deep expertise across industries like gourmet food, luxury cosmetics, and more, we create custom labels that bring your brand’s vision to life. Whether you’re looking to elevate your product or create something entirely new, we’re here to make your brand stand out. For more information, please visit https://www.customizable.com.

Industry leaders unite at Labelexpo Europe 2025

By: Labelexpo Europe

In a world where uncertainty feels like the only certainty, amid headlines dominated by global conflicts, economic unrest, and supply chain disruptions, it can be tempting to pull back, play it safe, and wait for stability to return. But four industry leaders believe this is exactly the time to lean in.

At Labelexpo Europe 2025 in Barcelona, Martin Automatic, ETI Converting, LemuGroup, and Lundberg Tech will be showcasing a live production line that embodies not only technical excellence but also a shared commitment to something much greater – the shared values of excellence and customer focus that transcends the cultures of four companies, four countries, four languages and four technical, commercial and marketing departments to bring to Labelexpo Barcelona 2025 a show within a show.

Visit hall 4, booths D27, D29, D35 and D37 and witness cutting-edge non-stop web-automation; the best coating and laminating, the best label converting machinery and the best automated label matrix waste handling available today working together as one integrated entity. The focus: Giving converters choices in best-in-class performance without compromise and without fear.

Our strategy has always been to lead with original designs and provocative, but well-managed goals, to deliver results that surpass expectations or even the imagination of the industry” states Gavin Rittmeyer, VP/Sales & Marketing for Martin Automatic.  “Together, Martin, ETI, LemuGroup, and Lundberg Tech are demonstrating, in real time and in the most difficult of circumstances, what no one else has dared, or dreamed of doing creating label stock and converting it live, at a European trade show!

In this new project for Labelexpo Europe 2025, each partner company contributes its own area of expertise.  From Martin’s unwinders to ETI’s coating, lamination and die-cutting, Lundberg Tech’s automated matrix handling and finally the GTU Glue turret rewinder and LemuGroup’s UltraCompact, where the roll is converted, packed, and palletized automatically.

LemuGroup has always had a clear vision, to offer customers the best technology on the market. We understand the need for companies to achieve fully integrated and automated processes and that is where we focus our efforts.  With this collaboration, we are showcasing more than just technology, we are proving that it’s possible to deliver solutions built with the best modules on the market. We want to pass on to the customer the same confidence we have in this project. Running a real production line in such a demanding environment as a trade show is a challenge, but also an opportunity to demonstrate the level of integration, automation and reliability we can deliver, reports Iñaki Larrea, CEO of LemuGroup.

President of ETI Converting Maxime Bayzelon added: “This collaboration is about giving converters real freedom. The freedom to build the production line they need, with the technologies they trust, and without compromising on performance.  By joining forces with Martin, LemuGroup, and Lundberg Tech, we’re showing how non-stop unwinding, coating and laminating, finishing, and end-of-line automation can work as one seamless process. It reflects what converters need most today: the ability to adapt quickly, run efficiently, and grow with confidence. We’re proud of what we’ve built together—and we believe converters will walk away inspired by what they’ll see.”

Karsten Kejlhof, Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) for Lundberg Tech concluded: “At Lundberg Tech, we believe innovation isn’t just about new technology, it’s about creating solutions that solve real-world challenges. At Labelexpo Europe 2025, we’re proud to demonstrate how automated matrix waste handling can ease operators’ daily work and boost overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) in non-stop production environments. Together with ETI Converting, Martin Automatic, and LemuGroup, we’re not just running a line, we’re showcasing what’s possible when expertise, integration, and a shared commitment to performance come together.  It’s the same value we deliver to our customers and partners around the world every day.”

Visitors to Labelexpo in Barcelona are invited to join ETI, LemuGroup, Lundberg Tech and Martin Automatic in Hall 4, on stands 4D27, 4D29, 4D35 and 4D37.

Roland DGA Announces the Launch of Two New VersaSTUDIO Desktop Devices

By: Roland DGA

Irvine, Calif., June 5, 2025 – Roland DGA, a leading provider of large-format inkjet printers, printer/cutters, and other innovative devices, has announced the addition of two new printers to its VersaSTUDIO Series of compact, easy-to-use, and affordable desktop products – the BN2-30, an eco-solvent printer/cutter with a maximum material width of 30 inches (736 mm), and the BD-12, a UV direct-to-object printer with a print bed of 12.2” x 8.3” (305 mm x 210 mm) that can accommodate items slightly larger than A4 in size. Both the BN2-30 and the BD-12 feature vibrant, detailed printing plus expanded work areas compared to current VersaSTUDIO models, enabling increased productivity and profitability.

 

The 30-inch BN2-30 offers outstanding print quality and precision contour cutting, making it ideal for the creation of graphics, photos, and text in any desired shape. While it has a small enough footprint for operation in print environments with limited space, the BN2-30 offers the imaging capabilities, integrated cutting functionality, and productivity needed to quickly produce high-quality T-shirt transfer graphics, yard signage, posters, stickers and labels, uniquely shaped displays, and more. The BN2-30 is designed to take full advantage of Roland DG’s high-quality Eco-Sol MAX 2 eco-solvent inks available in CMYK and White.

 

The BD-12 UV flatbed printer is designed for high-definition direct-to-object printing on a vast array of three-dimensional objects up to A4 size and four inches (102 mm) in height, such as smartphone covers, notepads, sports memorabilia, giftware, fashion accessories, and promotional items. Optional rotary devices are also available that allow users to print easily and effectively on cylindrical objects up to two inches (50 mm) in diameter, such as cosmetics and travel items. The BD-12 benefits from specially formulated EUV5 UV inks in CMYK and White that are compatible with a range of materials, from soft goods like fabric and leather to hard goods such as wood and plastics. Users can also take advantage of EUV5 clear ink to incorporate gloss or matte finishes and eye-catching special effects, including simulated 3D embossing, into their prints. An optional Primer ink is available as well, for better adhesion when printing directly on glass and metal objects.

 

“The introduction of these two versatile, affordable, and simple-to-use desktop printers expands and strengthens our VersaSTUDIO product lineup,” said Roland DGA’s Product Manager of Digital Print, Daniel Valade. “Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a company owner who wants to improve control and profitability by bringing outsourced production in-house, or an educational supervisor seeking to expose students to the latest STEAM technologies, these printers will increase your creative opportunities and help take your business or program to the next level.”

 

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Both the BN2-30 and BD-12 are equipped with technologically advanced printheads that deliver high-resolution output and offer multiple print modes ideal for different applications, making it easy for anyone to achieve professional-quality results. These machines are also designed for simple operation and optimum convenience. Each device has only a single power button – all other functions are performed with the included Utility software, which features easy-to-understand icons and quick, intuitive access to menu items.

 

The BN2-30 and BD-12 also come standard with FlexiDESIGNER VersaSTUDIO Edition software that can be used for everything from design creation to printing, as well as VersaWorks 7 – Roland DG’s most advanced, user-friendly RIP software to date. VersaWorks 7, which now supports both Windows and macOS, is packed with powerful tools and features that help maximize print quality, improve efficiency, and increase productivity. With FlexiDESIGNER and VersaWorks 7 included, even those who have never used design and output software before can create the items they desire quickly and easily.

 

Users also have access to Roland DG Connect, a comprehensive cloud-based platform that enables print professionals to manage their entire print operations with a single app. Roland DG Connect provides you with a detailed understanding of your printers while keeping your devices running at peak performance, reducing downtime, and maximizing efficiency. It also puts everything you need to create, optimize, and grow – from real-time monitoring and business insights to inventory management tools and seamless support – at your fingertips.

 

The BN2-30 and BD-12 are priced to be affordable for first-time users. Both products are also backed up by comprehensive manufacturer warranties, and optional extended maintenance contracts are available for extra peace of mind.

 

To learn more about the new VersaSTUDIO BN2-30, visit https://www.rolanddga.com/bn2-30. For more information on the new BD-12, visit https://www.rolanddga.com/bd-12.

 

About Roland DG Americas

Roland DGA serves North and South America as the marketing, sales, distribution, and service arm for Roland DG Corporation. Founded in 1981, Roland DG of Hamamatsu, Japan is a worldwide leader in wide-format inkjet printers for the sign, apparel, textile, interior design, personalization, and vehicle graphics markets; engravers for awards, giftware and ADA signage; photo impact printers for direct part marking; and 3D printers and CNC milling machines for the dental CAD/CAM, rapid prototyping, part manufacturing and medical industries. To learn more about Roland DGA or the complete Roland DGA product line, visit https://www.rolanddga.com.

 

About Roland DG Corporation

With the purpose of “To Empower Creativity and Excitement Worldwide,” Roland DG Corporation strives to bring new opportunities to society through digital solutions that make it easy for anyone to create things. The company’s inkjet printers and printer/cutters are widely used in a variety of visual communication fields, including signage and interior decoration. In the digital fabrication field, our inkjet printers, cutting machines, and 3D digital fabrication tools enable the personalization and customization of items tailored to individual customer needs. By adopting a high-mix, low-volume, on-demand approach, Roland DG aims to create new applications. Recently, Roland DG has further expanded the digital transformation frontier. The company provides a cloud-based service to enhance customers’ printing operations and profitability and a cloud-based production improvement solution offering the expertise of its proprietary production support system for small and medium-sized manufacturers.

Courier Graphics Drives Commercial Printing Growth with Speedmaster XL 106 from HEIDELBERG

By: Heidelberg

Kennesaw, Ga. June 4, 2025 – After a record sales year in 2023, Courier Graphics, a family-owned commercial printing company in Phoenix, AZ, is further accelerating its growth with the addition of a new Speedmaster XL 106 from HEIDELBERG. Installed in mid-2024, the XL 106 has enabled Courier Graphics to tap into new markets for short-run booklets while significantly boosting efficiency in long-run catalog cover production.

Making Us a Better Company

Courier Graphics, who specializes in “anything with a page count,” has spent the past fifty years building a strong reputation in the Southwest for delivering high-quality product catalogs, magazines, brochures, booklets, and instruction manuals with remarkably fast turnaround times. To strengthen its leadership in speed and efficiency while boosting its short-run booklet and brochure capabilities, Courier Graphics recently added a new Speedmaster XL 106-8P+L from HEIDELBERG.

The state-of-the-art XL 106 perfecting press is equipped with HEIDELBERG’s most sophisticated technology including UV curing, Push to Stop, AutoPlate Pro, Prinect Inpress Control 3, and the HEIDELBERG UX, which includes AI-powered press assistance systems. With advanced automation and industry-leading speed, the XL 106 efficiently prints long runs of covers for the company’s perfect-bound and saddle-stitched catalogs – impressively keeping pace with its web press used to produce catalog contents.  Additionally, the XL 106’s versatile technology offers the flexibility to produce short-run materials like 96+ page booklets with quantities as small as 200-500.

“The press has opened up a lot of new doors for us that historically didn’t align with our production model,” said Scott Carritt, President of Courier Graphics.

Thanks to Prinect Inpress Control, HEIDELBERG’s cutting-edge inline spectrophotometer, which measures and adjusts color and register on the fly at any speed, Courier Graphics has reduced makeready times by over 75% compared to its previous offset press from a competing manufacturer. This significant reduction in set-up time has enabled faster turnaround and improved quality. Carritt added, “The XL 106 is making us a better company. We’re willing to take on bigger risks and bigger challenges – knowing that the equipment isn’t going to hold us back or throttle us in any way.”

Another standout feature driving Courier Graphics’ enhanced efficiency is the XL 106’s “robust and sophisticated” feeder engineering – a significant factor that initially influenced Carritt’s decision to invest in the press. Offering fully automatic preset adjustments for all key formats and air settings, the XL 106’s feeder ensures smooth, consistent sheet travel throughout the entire printing process and allows the company’s operators to continuously run the press at top speeds, for any stock, regardless of weight.

“Compared to presses we’ve had in the past, the XL 106 is much faster and much more consistent,” said Carritt. “We can run lightweight stocks, heavy stocks, no problem. The press is incredibly reliable with very little downtime. It’s truly a dream come true.”

Alongside its advanced technology, top-tier training has been instrumental in enabling Courier Graphics to succeed with the XL 106. Carritt emphasized that HEIDELBERG’s level of training is unmatched in the industry. “HEIDELBERG’s approach to training truly simplifies operations for printers, especially as we navigate both new technologies and a demanding labor market,” he said. “The comprehensive offerings enable my team to continually hone their skills as they learn to optimize the performance of these robust machines.”

The Partnership Beyond the Machines

Courier Graphics’ efficient print production is supported by two highly productive POLAR cutting systems and three newly installed Stahlfolders: the TH 66, TH 82, and KH 82. Installed shortly after the XL 106, the Stahlfolders have quickly become workhorses in the company’s finishing department. “These machines are bulletproof,” said Carritt. “They just keep running and running at incredible speeds with minimal downtime.” In fact, less than nine months after installation, the Stahlfolders proved so effective that the company achieved a return on investment.

Despite the outstanding performance of all of its machines, Carritt said HEIDELBERG’s true success lies in the partnerships it forms with its customers. “I think all of the major companies have great presses – they all put ink on paper at high speeds – but when something goes wrong or you need someone to call, HEIDELBERG always answers. That is where they differentiate themselves from everyone else. The partnership we’ve built with them is almost more important than the printing press itself,” he concluded.

About Courier Graphics

For nearly 50 years, Courier Graphics has proudly stood as a leading printer in Phoenix, Arizona, delivering exceptional quality and service to its valued clients. Led by its founder’s grandson, Courier continues the family legacy of excellence. Its multi-generational commitment ensures reliability, experience, and a dedication to exceeding expectations, making Courier a trusted partner in high-quality printing.

About HEIDELBERG:

Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (HEIDELBERG) is a leading technology company that has been standing for innovation, quality and reliability in mechanical engineering worldwide for 175 years. With a clear focus on growth, HEIDELBERG as a total solution provider is driving further development in the core areas of packaging and digital printing, software solutions and the lifecycle business with service and consumables so that customers can achieve maximum productivity and efficiency.

The company is also focusing on expanding into new business areas such as high-precision plant engineering with integrated control, automation technology and robotics as well as the growing green technologies. With a strong international presence in approximately 170 countries, the creative power and expertise of its around 9,500 employees, its own production facilities in Europe, China and the USA and one of the largest global sales and service networks, the company is well-positioned for future growth.

www.heidelberg.com 

ePS Packaging and CarbonQuota Forge Strategic Partnership to Revolutionize Carbon Footprint Control

By: ePS Packaging and CarbonQuota

 

PITTSBURGH, June 4, 2025 – In a significant stride toward sustainable manufacturing, ePS Packaging, a global technology leader for the packaging industry, has announced a strategic partnership with CarbonQuota to integrate advanced carbon footprint capabilities across its comprehensive software ecosystem. The collaboration will embed CarbonQuota’s sophisticated automated carbon calculator into ePS’ extensive software offering for the packaging and print industries, creating a unique market offering that drives measurable sustainability in production through accurate and verifiable data.

 

With consumers seeking more sustainable product options, brands are increasing their focus on reducing carbon footprints, driving the need for greater transparency and measurable environmental impact in their supply chains. This new partnership sets a new benchmark for actionable sustainability in the packaging and print industries.

 

By integrating ePS’ unparalleled traceability capabilities with CarbonQuota’s unique and auditable carbon footprinting mechanism, this collaboration delivers a powerful tool for data-driven decision making, thereby creating a distinct and compelling competitive advantage that enables businesses to provide pricing options and carbon footprint details to their customers. Businesses can now evaluate and optimize production and supply chain scenarios with unprecedented precision, enabling informed trade-offs that balance cost, efficiency, and environmental impact. Every carbon footprint generated through this solution is verifiable and auditable, safeguarding brands and their supply chains from risks such as challenges from NGOs or regulatory scrutiny.

 

“We are excited to bring to market a key differentiating capability for our customer base, enabling them to better collaborate with their brand customers in this crucial joint environmental responsibility of reducing carbon footprints,” said Gaby Matsliach, CEO of ePS Packaging. “Our software platforms capture intricate data across raw materials, production processes, and logistics, which will now be transformed into precise, standardized carbon footprint calculations that meet the highest international reporting standards.”

 

“Carbon footprints have become the universal metric for corporate sustainability,” commented Dominic Harris, CarbonQuota’s co-founder. “As organizations worldwide solidify their net-zero commitments, our technology provides the most granular, trustworthy data needed to substantiate and accelerate these environmental goals.”

 

Together, ePS and CarbonQuota empower organizations meet and confidently substantiate their sustainability commitments, securing trust and competitive advantage in a demanding global marketplace.

 

About ePS

ePS Packaging, an operating unit of eProductivity Software (ePS), empowers packaging companies around the globe through cutting-edge technology, strategic partnerships, and over 30 years of industry expertise. Its comprehensive ERP, MES, and industry point solutions enable seamless workflow management across corrugated, folding carton, label, and flexible packaging segments. By integrating advanced automation capabilities, these solutions enhance product quality, minimize waste, and maximize throughput, helping businesses lower manufacturing costs, improve efficiency, and achieve sustainable growth. Addressing the unique challenges of the packaging and corrugated industries, ePS Packaging helps companies optimize operations, boost profitability, and thrive in competitive markets. For more information, please visit www.epackagingsw.com.

 

About CarbonQuota

CarbonQuota is a trusted specialist in carbon management and reduction—dedicated to helping businesses and their supply chains measure, manage, reduce, and track their environmental impact. Our market-leading SaaS technology and expert consultancy provide tailored solutions to meet regulatory requirements, address customer demands and drive sustainability goals. We empower businesses with accurate, automated carbon footprints and customised carbon reduction strategies, to achieve meaningful environmental impact and long-term success. https://www.carbonquota.co.uk/

XAAR STRENGTHENS POSITION IN EV BATTERY COATINGS WITH SOKAN NEW MATERIALS GROUP PARTNERSHIP

By: Xaar

Cambridge, June 3rd 2025 – Xaar’s leading inkjet technology is enabling the production of next-generation battery coating fluids from Chinese manufacturer, Sokan New Materials Group – marking yet another partnership for Xaar in this fast-growing sector, and a clear sign of the shift away from traditional film coating methods.

As the first company to develop inkjet printheads specifically for battery coating, Xaar is enabling the jetting of advanced fluids that enhance safety, efficiency and scalability in EV battery manufacturing thanks to its Xaar eX and Nitrox eX printheads.

With the EV market growing rapidly and battery packs required to perform under higher voltages and tighter thermal constraints, traditional PET film coatings are increasingly unable to meet performance requirements. However, high-viscosity, inkjet-printed UV coatings – such as those from Sokan – address this gap by delivering superior dielectric strength, durability and consistent layer uniformity, all of which are essential for the reliability and safety of new generation batteries.

To support the testing, development and jetting of these advanced high viscosity coatings, Xaar’s Ultra High Viscosity Technology is a key enabler. Its printheads can jet fluids with viscosities up to 1000 centipoise (cP) at ambient temperature (approximately 100 cP at jetting temperature), significantly expanding the available range of printable functional materials.

This is also supported by Xaar’s TF Technology for continuous ink recirculation and Sure Flow for built-in self-cleaning, ensuring consistent performance, lower maintenance and reliable scale-up for industrial applications. Together, these technologies deliver the reliability and flexibility required for Sokan to formulate and apply its specialized, high-performance coatings at scale.

Xaar first partnered with Sokan Group in 2021 to further advance inkjet technology for EV batteries. This collaboration has resulted in the launch of the industry’s first mass-production inkjet printing line for cylindrical EV batteries, which has received strong customer feedback, highlighting its success and potential for widespread adoption.

Sokan New Materials Group was founded in March 2009 and listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange in 2020.

The company specializes in chemical product manufacturing, offering a wide range of innovative functional coating material solutions for industries such as consumer electronics, industrial automation and manufacturing. Its products are widely used in 3C product markets, including mobile phones, laptops, wearable devices and smart home appliances, as well as in the passenger vehicle sector. These offerings have helped the company secure a significant market share in the chemical segment.

Brian Ling, Chairman and CEO of Sokan commented on the collaboration: “After four years of dedicated efforts, we possess deep technical expertise and feel that the market is poised for explosive growth.

“Xaar’s inkjet technology offers the reliability and performance essential for jetting our high-viscosity battery coating fluids. This partnership enables us to bring a new generation of coatings to market more efficiently than ever.”

Sokan has invested over ¥50 million (£5 million) into the development of a complete solution across material, process and equipment R&D. Currently, more than ten customers are in both production and sampling phases of the technology, with widespread adoption expected to continue throughout 2025.

With Chinese technology leading the global charge in next-generation energy batteries and inkjet printing emerging as the new standard for coating applications, the collaboration between Xaar and Sokan exemplifies the shift already underway across the battery manufacturing industry.

Chris Ellis, Xaar Group Sales and Marketing Director added: “Our partnership with Sokan underscores Xaar’s commitment to driving innovation in the EV sector by tackling key challenges in battery coatings.

“As more companies look for flexible, scalable alternatives to traditional processes, we look forward to continuing our work with industry leaders like Sokan as inkjet cements its role in the future of battery manufacturing.”

 

About Xaar
Xaar is an inkjet innovator, providing printheads and technologies for OEM and UDI customers worldwide.

By helping customers lay down precise volumes of inks and fluids with absolute pin-point accuracy, time after time, Xaar’s inkjet printheads and technologies meet the needs of numerous markets. Covering graphics, labelling, direct-to-shape, packaging, textiles, coatings, product decoration, ceramic tile and glass decoration, décor, and outer case coding applications – as well as printing with specialist functional fluids for 3D and advanced manufacturing techniques.

Collaboration is at the very core of its business. Xaar works as a trusted partner from sites in Europe and China, providing expert insights and technical support every step of the way.

With over 30 years’ experience, around 200 patents registered or pending, and major ongoing R&D investment, Xaar’s digital printhead and precision jetting technologies create infinite opportunities for today’s sustainable manufacturing innovation.

How Mark Andy Became Essential to Western Graphics’ Growth Story

By: Mark Andy

For Dimas, CA-based Western Graphics, growth isn’t just about bigger numbers, it’s about building deeper relationships, fostering creativity, and offering clients a new kind of label vendor-label buyer dynamic. Founded by Bruce and Carol Engle in 1995 as a brokerage business and expanding into manufacturing in 2010, Western Graphics has made strategic moves to lead in a market that is constantly evolving.

Today, Chief Operating Officer Russell Engle is building on his father’s legacy of excellence. “Our goal is to be a true extension of our customers’ teams,” says Engle. “We’re not just selling labels; we’re helping brands grow by offering a curative, marketing-driven approach.”

That curative mindset is what led Western Graphics to invest heavily in Mark Andy technology. With three Mark Andy 2200 flexo presses and a Digital IQ hybrid solution, Western Graphics has scaled rapidly to meet customer demand. That growth has fueled the company’s expansion into Arizona, where a second facility is now positioned to support its growing base of regional and national clients. Engle estimates that while 40% of their current production is digital today, that number will climb to 80% within a few years.

“Mark Andy has been an essential growth partner for us,” Engle explains. “Their technology gives us the flexibility to respond to evolving market needs, and the company has become a key partner in helping Western Graphics become what we are today.”

Bringing Brand-Level Marketing Expertise to a Label Manufacturer

Part of Western Graphics’ rapid evolution has been fueled by the addition of Director of Sales and Marketing, Laura Patti, who brings a unique perspective to the company. Prior to joining Western Graphics, Patti spent eight years as the lead graphic designer for a major food brand, a role that gave her deep, firsthand experience in branding, packaging development, FDA compliance, and marketing.

“Many smaller brands come to the label converter first,” Patti explains. “They have a product but no logo, no website, no cohesive branding. We’ve created an internal team so that Western Graphics can handle everything – from label design and brand refreshes to social media assets, websites, and digital advertising.”

Patti’s background on the brand side allows Western Graphics to offer a level of service and insight unique to the label-converting industry. Given her experience, she understands the challenges brands face on a daily basis and has helped position Western Graphics as a true strategic partner for growing their customers’ businesses.

“Everything moves fast in today’s market, especially in the food, beverage, and nutraceutical segments,” Patti continues. “Our integrated approach means less lag time, fewer mistakes, and a much better overall experience for our clients.”

Another key growth area for Western Graphics is the private label space, particularly in food. With a strong customer base in retailers like Walmart and Sprouts, and deep connections with co-packers and manufacturers, the company is well-positioned to help brands launch new products under private label agreements. “The private label market is essentially recession-proof,” Engle states. “When the economy tightens, private label and store brands’ volume sales increase. We’re investing heavily in supporting that growth, working directly with manufacturers to help them build new lines and introduce new products.”

A Culture of Personal Connection

At the heart of Western Graphics’ success is a culture that prioritizes relationships over transactions. Engle and Patti both stress the importance of making every client feel like family, an approach they say is increasingly rare in the printing industry.

“Russell wants every customer to feel like a guest at his home,” Patti shares. “When I used to visit Western Graphics as a customer, it wasn’t just for a press check, it was a whole experience. They made me feel valued and respected. That’s not something you forget.”

That emphasis on personal connection extends to the company’s internal team as well. Engle has intentionally built a youthful, dynamic workforce, and the company’s average press operator age is only in the thirties – an anomaly in today’s printed packaging industry. He encourages versatility, cross-training, and ownership of individual roles, creating a culture of collaboration and pride. “We’re building careers, not just jobs,” Engle says. “We want people who are passionate about what they do and excited to be part of our journey.”

As Western Graphics looks ahead, both Engle and Patti are clear: growth will continue, rooted in trust, creativity, and long-term relationships. “When our clients grow, we grow along with them,” Engle states, echoing the philosophy that aligns so closely with Mark Andy’s own mission of “Your Growth is Our Growth.” He adds, “When our clients succeed, we succeed. When our employees grow, we grow. And having a partner like Mark Andy, who shares that philosophy, has been instrumental to our success.”

With a powerful combination of technology, creativity, and heart, Western Graphics is redefining what it means to be a label and packaging partner in today’s dynamic market. Like Mark Andy, they’re turning customers into collaborators and building relationships that fuel long-term growth.

 

About Mark Andy Inc.

Mark Andy is a pioneer of the graphic arts and printing industry. As the world’s leading manufacturer of narrow- and mid-web printing and finishing equipment, it supplies leading global brands, including Mark Andy and Presstek printing presses, Rotoflex finishing solutions, as well as a complete line of Mark Andy Print Products consumables and pressroom supplies. All products are backed by the largest customer support team in the industry, minimizing downtime and helping customers be profitable, efficient and at the forefront of innovation. Mark Andy does what it takes to understand each customer’s unique business, the challenges they face and the pressures they feel. It strives to provide products and services that help customers solve their problems and solutions that go a step further, allowing them to excel in their day-to-day operations, ultimately increasing productivity and reaching their full potential. For more information, visit www.markandy.com.

APR Launches Next-Gen SupplySentry, Celebrating 20 Years of Smart Inventory Management

By: All Printing Resources, Inc.

GLENDALE HEIGHTS, IL – June 2, 2025 – All Printing Resources (APR), a longtime leader in flexographic printing solutions, proudly celebrates 20 years of SupplySentry, the company’s intelligent inventory management system. At the same time, APR is excited to unveil the next-generation version of the platform, marking a leap forward in automation, visibility, and inventory optimization for printed packaging converters.

Since its debut, SupplySentry has helped flexographic printing companies eliminate stock-outs, reduce labor burdens, and gain critical insights into consumable usage. Trusted for its reliability and ROI, the system leverages RFID technology to automate tracking, restocking, and reporting, allowing production teams to focus on what they do best: printing.

Building on two decades of customer success, APR introduces a host of new features that elevate SupplySentry to a new level of capability:

Highlights of the New SupplySentry Platform:

  • Redesigned Customer Portal: A modern, intuitive interface provides real-time data, smarter dashboards, and deeper analytics to support confident decision-making.
  • AI Inventory Optimization: Utilization of improved algorithms to determine optimal inventory levels, increase dependability, and reduce freight costs.
  • Advanced Cabinet Integration: Secure supply cabinets will offer employee badge scanning for access control, 24/7 availability, and real-time usage tracking by individual, department, or item.
  • Flexible Hardware Options: A broader range of RFID antennas ensures reliable coverage across complex warehouse layouts.
  • Cellular Connectivity: Simplifies deployment in IT-restricted areas, expanding the platform’s reach and reliability.

“These innovations reflect our commitment to helping customers stay ahead in a competitive, fast-moving industry,” said Dave Nieman, President and CEO of APR. “With our next-generation platform, we’re bringing powerful new tools to meet today’s challenges, whether it’s labor shortages, rising costs, or the need for greater control.”

Customer Advantages at a Glance:

  • Fewer stock-outs through automated replenishment and optimization.
  • Reduced labor costs from manual tracking and ordering
  • 24/7 availability of critical supplies with no stockroom attendant required

With the next-generation rollout starting soon and full deployment expected by the final quarter of this year, APR continues to set the standard for intelligent, automated inventory management in the flexographic space.

To learn more about how SupplySentry is transforming inventory operations, visit https://supply-sentry.com.

About All Printing Resources, Inc.

All Printing Resources, Inc. (APR) is a proven resource for solutions, trusted service, and support to the flexographic printing industry. APR delivers measurable performance enhancements and total cost reductions, including the after sale attention needed to see optimal results. APR represents some of the most innovative product lines worldwide and takes a “team” approach to deliver process improvement and innovative solutions. To learn more, visit https://www.teamflexo.com