This coming October will see BOBST present its sustainability-ready technologies at three separate events across Europe. The company will be showcasing its extensive know-how and technical capabilities in substrate functionality and process performance, which enable converters to maximize opportunities and take transformative steps towards a circular economy.

In addition to daily presentations and displays at the K show in Düsseldorf, BOBST is extending its reach by inviting flexible packaging converters to visit two Open Houses at its European Competence Centers – one taking place in Bielefeld, Germany, and the other in Manchester in the UK.

“The focus at all three locations will be on exploring the possibilities for packaging manufacturers to proactively meet the fast-evolving market demands and their related challenges, not only in terms of sustainability but across all the elements of the BOBST Vision – connectivity, digitalization and automation,” explains Sara Alexander, Marketing & Communication Manager, Flexible Packaging at BOBST.

Barrier Paper Solutions Open House

Bobst Manchester, UK, 18 October 2022

The Manchester Open House will demonstrate the latest achievements in developing viable fibre-based packaging solutions. Aptly titled Barrier Paper Solutions: A New Opportunity for the Flexible Packaging Market, the event will take visitors step by step through the development of the FibreCycle solution by BOBST and the project ecosystem of partners, which comprises UPM and Michelman. Developed within the scope of the oneBARRIER family of solutions, it responds to the escalating interest in paper packaging and delivers an industrially viable mono-material paper solution that utilizes the synergies between wet dispersion coating and dry vacuum coating technologies to produce high-barrier, recycle-ready flexible packaging.

K 2022 Trade Fair

Messe Düsseldorf, Germany, 19–26 October 2022

Sustainability and connectivity will take center stage on the BOBST stand (Hall 4, A39) at K 2022 in Düsseldorf. Interactive displays and video presentations will show how BOBST is making sustainability in packaging a reality through groundbreaking innovations and exceptional support.

BOBST and partner companies Dow, Michelman, Sun Chemical and Zermatt will be on hand to discuss the development of the PE mono-material oneBARRIER PrimeCycle solution, a recycle-ready, industry-viable alternative to non-recyclable metallized film. The partners will illustrate how their contribution to the project guaranteed a successful result.

Visitors will also be brought up to date on other advances under the wide scope of the oneBARRIER project, including the extensive testing program that led to the introduction of the high-barrier and recycle-ready fibre-based oneBARRIER FibreCycle solution, which has been developed with UPM and Michelman. There will also be updates on other collaborative projects with different ecosystems of partnerships falling under the BOBST pillars of sustainability.

The capabilities of BOBST Connect will also be highlighted. The user-centric platform, which can be shared by all BOBST equipment, links all steps of the workflow processes, and improves efficiency, control and data knowledge to drive quality and productivity across the entire value chain.

One Complete Solution Open House

Bobst Bielefeld, Germany, 19–22 and 24–26 October 2022

The program of the Bielefeld event will demonstrate the unique advantage of BOBST as the only manufacturer that can provide all equipment and processes for end-to-end flexible packaging production. A very wide range of different integrated workflows, equipment and process combinations are gathered as “One Complete Solution” which will allow visitors to experience a fully optimized flexible packaging workflow in action: from pre-press and flexo plate production, through to automatic plate mounting and setting, printing on the VISION CI flexo press, quality control with BOBST DIT digital inspection table and solventless lamination on the NOVA SX 550 LAMINATOR. BOBST flagship MASTER CI flexo press featuring advanced robotics for a fully automated press setup will also be shown in a separate demonstration. All orchestrated by BOBST Connect.

“We are ready to show BOBST’s transformative technologies which will offer flexible packaging manufacturers new capabilities for improving the productivity, quality and sustainability of their processes and prepare their businesses for the future of packaging production,” concludes Sara Alexander.

To attend any of these events, register here: http://www.bobst.com/k2022.

Elk Grove Village, IL — SCREEN Americas announces the expansion of its existing partnership with Nilpeter. The arrangement includes Nilpeter providing sales, installation and support for SCREEN’s Truepress Jet L350UV SAI series in Latin America. Known for its exceptional print quality and durability, the Truepress Jet L350UV SAI series is a perfect fit for the region as demand for high-quality inkjet printing continues to grow.

The alliance will enable both companies to strengthen their presence in Latin America by providing printers with more options for high-quality, reliable printing equipment as well as more immediate service to their customers. For the team at SCREEN Americas, the partnership represents an opportunity to expand its reach into new markets and bring more value to printers, according to Vice President of Sales Dean Kenan, who manages the company’s Digital and Packaging Solutions division. “Our goal is to always provide our customers with best-in-class technology that meets their specific needs,” said Kenan. “Partnering with Nilpeter allows us to do just that.”

Headquartered in Denmark with offices in the United States and Brazil, Nilpeter has been providing solutions for the label and packaging industry for more than 100 years. Its office in São Paulo, Brazil, will be the point of contact for printers looking to achieve quality label production with an industry-proven press such as the Truepress Jet L350UV SAI. “In the past 25 years, we have sold and installed more than 1,000 Nilpeter presses in Latin America,” said Managing Director Rubens Wilmers of Nilpeter in Brazil. “This gives us a unique understanding of what our customers need to be successful.” As part of the agreement, Nilpeter will service these presses as well. 

The announcement coincides with Labelexpo Americas 2022 in Rosemont, Illinois, where several members of the Nilpeter team joined employees of SCREEN Americas in SCREEN’s booth to share the news with the show’s attendees and demonstrate the benefits of the Truepress Jet L350UV SAI series. The press prints up to 60 meters per minute on a variety of substrates using CMYK formulas with the option of adding white, blue and orange inks to the equation. It has been especially popular with label printers looking to achieve opacity on transparent substrates.

SCREEN Americas and Nilpeter began their coalition in the spring of 2019 when the two companies established a solution titled PANORAMA which combined Nilpeter’s flexographic capabilities with SCREEN’s digital inkjet solutions. PANORAMA is available as either a stand-alone or hybrid configuration. With this latest agreement, SCREEN Americas and Nilpeter look forward to building on their previous accomplishments in the years to come.

About SCREEN Americas
SCREEN Americas, a SCREEN Graphic Solutions group company established in 1967, is a leading provider of digital inkjet technology serving the commercial, publishing, direct mail, transactional, packaging, and label industries. In 2021, SCREEN Americas relocated its headquarters to Elk Grove Village, Illinois, with an upgrade that included a 14,000-plus square-foot Inkjet Innovation Center.

Middleton, WI – Environmentally responsible TwoFer® Twin Signage, is the newest addition to NAStar Inc.’s TwoFer Linerless Label Solutions product category.

TwoFer® Twin Signage, with two face stocks and no liner, is fully recyclable and supports sustainability goals of label converters and their customers with zero liner landfill waste.

Comprised of two recyclable face sheets temporarily secured adhesive sides together until ready to be applied, and no liner, TwoFer® Twin Store Signage is used as labels or in-store signage for End Cap, Wall, or Aisle Graphics.  Both sides can be duplex printed in one pass flexographically or digitally in rolls and sheets.

Providing secure adhesion to most surfaces and easy removal when the promotion is over, other applications include TwoFer® Shelf Talkers, recyclable, back-to-back Shelf Tags. Patent Pending TwoFer® FastFoldZ speed tag application at store level with no liner to discard. TwoFer® Ship/Return Labels for ecommerce distribution and TwoFer® Charity Labels for fund solicitation utilize permanent adhesive versions.

*United States Patent US 9,613,547 B2 Dual-Faced Labelling Systems

United States Patent US 10,217,385 B2 Dual-Faced Labelling Systems

www.nastar-inc.com

The new Fiery Impress DFE will be featured with Colordyne’s UV-LED and water-based inkjet print engines at Labelexpo Americas 2022.

Brookfield, WI – Converters have new, high-quality, cost-effective options for hybrid flexo/digital production of premium labels thanks to a new solution at Labelexpo Americas that delivers more power than ever before. Colordyne Technologies, a leading manufacturer of efficient, high-resolution digital inkjet printers and retrofits, is partnering with Fiery®, Electronics For Imaging’s industry-leading developer of advanced servers for digital color print production, to be the first manufacturer in the world delivering UV-LED and water-based inkjet solutions that feature the market-proven, high-end prep and processing workflow capabilities of the Fiery Impress™ digital front end (DFE).

Colordyne’s high-speed, high-resolution process color inkjet print engines on display in booth 5923 at the September 13-15 tradeshow feature the Fiery Impress DFE, a brand new, turnkey inkjet print server technology. Colordyne’s inkjet engines driven by Fiery print server technology offer premium quality inkjet production for durable UV-LED labels, as well as water-based ink printing ideal for food and beverage and other CPG brands seeking eco-friendly, sustainable labels. Customers can easily integrate Colordyne’s inkjet engines on existing flexo and converting equipment to create an affordable single-pass hybrid printing press or employ as a standalone digital production press. The print engines support up to 7 colors with options for CMYK, white and additional process colors.

Affordable next-level automation and color management

“Using Fiery Impress with our 3800 Series inkjet engines, converters can retrofit their existing flexo presses at approximately half the cost of a new hybrid narrow web press,” said Taylor Buckthorpe, director of sales and marketing, Colordyne Technologies. “The comprehensive set of integrated Fiery products add a wealth of capabilities throughout the print process, helping manufacturing facilities produce more with their presses. When it comes to next-level automation and color management, we look at Fiery as the strongest partner to work with. Together, we will help converters drive efficiencies, while increasing quality and reliability as they grow their businesses with digital print.”

With over 2 million servers installed worldwide, Fiery technology is the leading DFE in digital printing. The launch of the Impress DFE – a ready-to-go, off-the-shelf platform that requires less time and less cost for hardware integration – streamlines the process needed to bring Fiery technology to new industrial and packaging applications.

The new Fiery offering helps ensure users can complete more jobs per shift thanks to a suite of file preparation and make-ready tools to automate many prepress tasks. Fiery Impress technology efficiently handles color management, including extended color gamuts beyond CMYK while delivering accurate ink cost estimates to help converters ensure profitability. Additional available tools, such as Fiery JobFlow™ prepress automation workflow software, can eliminate manual step-and-repeat work to help converters get digital and hybrid jobs to press faster.

Full-featured digital and cloud capabilities

Converters can also take advantage of more opportunities in multi-SKU, versioning and serialization by using a Fiery Impress DFE streaming option which delivers powerful RIP-while-printing capabilities for continuous, high-volume, variable-data printing. The Fiery Impress DFE delivers consistent, predictable results that match a designer’s intent with industry-standard native Adobe PDF Print Engine processing and PDF 2.0 support – a key competitive advantage not available in other RIP solutions. Fiery Command WorkStation® – the #1 operator interface for digital print job management – comes standard with the Fiery Impress DFE. Plus, Colordyne 3800 Series users can use the server to connect with a full suite of free and paid EFI IQ™ cloud business intelligence and analytics solutions. The Fiery Impress DFE can also integrate with leading label and packaging MIS platforms, connecting converters’ digital operations to company-wide workflows.

“Fiery DFEs have long been known for delivering superior color, image quality and efficiency, and our Fiery Impress DFE brings those capabilities to new markets, including labels, packaging and inline manufacturing,” said John Henze, vice president of sales and marketing, EFI Fiery. “This exciting new partnership with Colordyne Technologies represents an important market opportunity that combines the industry’s leading DFE technology with Colordyne’s remarkable inkjet engines for hybrid and digital label converting.”

The Fiery Impress DFE is also the first technology for Colordyne equipment capable of supporting the Adobe PDF Print Engine (APPE) for a native, end-to-end PDF workflow using the industry’s leading rendering technology. Support for APPE gives users the advantage of optimal output using the industry’s leading rendering technology, optimizing the appearance of transparency blends, overprinting, spot colors, trapping and more.

“The Fiery Impress DFE will open doors to new opportunities in manufacturing workflows, especially for labeled products,” said Mark Lewiecki, senior product manager, Adobe. “Colordyne customers will benefit from the power of the Adobe PDF Print Engine, built on the same Adobe technologies employed by Adobe Acrobat and Illustrator CC. The result is maximum reliability, from design to proof to final output. Adobe and EFI continue to bring innovative technologies to market. We are happy to see that Colordyne and its customers will show the way forward in this dynamic growth segment.”

With its new, advanced workflow, Colordyne’s retrofit technology at Labelexpo Americas is a reliable and effective upgrade in the power and flexibility converters need to meet new market opportunities.

“Inkjet is important for growth-minded flexo converters, but the bigger opportunity comes with color capabilities and workflow advantages over a basic inkjet integration,” according to industry analyst Marco Boer of I.T. Strategies. “In a crowded field where there are many niche digital inkjet integrators, choosing one that offers a robust DFE workflow and extended gamut inks at a competitive investment cost can create a differentiating advantage in label production.”

About Colordyne Technologies
Headquartered in Brookfield, WI, Colordyne Technologies is a leading manufacturer of high speed, high resolution and low capital cost UV-LED and water-based inkjet print engines. They are designed for integration onto existing printing and converting equipment to create an affordable hybrid production press. Colordyne Technologies recognizes the years of investments made into the people and equipment that make up a label converting press room. Colordyne’s unique retrofit approach to digital printing allows label converters to seamlessly integrate process color inkjet directly onto existing production lines at breakthrough speeds and without the loss of current press functionality. Visit www.colordynetech.com for additional information.

About EFI
EFI™ is a global technology company, leading the worldwide transformation from analog to digital imaging. We understand our customers want breakthrough technologies to lead them through their digital journey. That’s why we’re passionate about driving their business growth with a scalable portfolio of products, solutions, services, support, and world-class partnerships for the manufacturing of signage, packaging, textiles, ceramic tiles, building materials, commercial print, and personalized documents with a wide range of printers, inks, digital front ends, and workflow software. They work together to increase profits, cut costs, improve productivity, and optimize efficiency – job after job, year after year. We’re committed to our customers’ success. (www.efi.com)

As of September 1st, Technicote, a North-American company specializing in self-adhesive solutions, is the latest addition to Beonta growing family of international companies. The acquisition marks Beontag’s entry to the North American market, and is another step in its global expansion and internationalization strategy initiated in 2020. Besides the United States, Beontag has operations in other countries, such as Argentina, Uruguay, France, Italy, Sweden, Finland, among others.

This acquisition is more than Beontag wanting to enter a new market. It was also motivated because of the broad network of customers that Technicote has had for more than four decades and the diversity of products they offer in the segments of graphic and self-adhesive materials. Their portfolio offers a wide range of self­ adhesive rolls and sheets, as well as solutions in silicone coated release liners and is a perfect fit for Beontag’s expanding international portfolio of products. Technicote will also be integrating many of those products into their North American range.

ABOUT TECHNICOTE
Technicote was established in 1980 in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio to service local roll converters. Since then, the company has consolidated and expanded business across the North-American market, offering solutions to the whole sector. Now, Technicote has three business units, four factories and over 200 employees. It is ISO 9001 certified, ensuring high standards of manufacture, and offers FSC® certified products.

ABOUT BEONTAG
With over 37 years of market experience, Beontag has a wide portfolio of innovative and technological products that service the retail, industry, and service sectors both in Brazil and abroad.

With modern manufacturing facilities, permanent investment and a highly qualified team, the company has been expanding its business globally and is one of the largest and most respected self-adhesive companies in Latin America. It also operates in the technology sector and has a wide portfolio of Internet of T hings (IoT) solutions, focused on the manufacture of radiofrequency smart labels, as well as on the development of software for the integration of the logistics chain, traceability, and product authentication.

UPM Raflatac, a global supplier of innovative and sustainable labeling materials, announces plans to open a new state-of-the-art terminal in Vancouver, Washington early next year. The new facility will strengthen UPM Raflatac’s network of terminals across North America and expand the company’s slitting and distribution capacity. This investment will also further improve product quality, benefiting customers across the western U.S. and Canada.

“We chose Vancouver, Washington as the site of this new state-of-the-art facility because of its strategic location to best service our expanding customer base, as well as the growing market in the Pacific Northwest and in California,” stated Tim Kirchen, Senior Vice President, UPM Raflatac, Americas.

UPM Raflatac is continually investing in operational advancements that will enable the success of their customers and meet the growing demand for pressure sensitive labels. Their new terminal will house multiple slitters and a large warehousing space to enable storage of high-quality film and paper laminates, as well as specialty products.

“We will have a significant increase in slitting capacity for various label material types, including wine and food. This new facility will greatly benefit our current and future customers across the western U.S. We look forward to further cultivating these relationships and starting new ones,” stated Christian Szameit, West Region Sales Director, UPM Raflatac, Americas.

Construction on the new facility is underway, and production is expected to begin in the spring of 2023.

UPM Raflatac
UPM Raflatac is leading in sustainable labeling through our innovative self-adhesive label materials and services. We offer high-quality paper and film label stock for branding and promotion, informational labels, and labels with functionality. We operate a global network of factories, distribution terminals and sales offices. Our company employs around 3,000 people and made sales of EUR 1.7 billion (USD 1.9 billion) in 2021. UPM Raflatac is part of UPM. Find out how we are labeling a smarter future beyond fossils at www.upmraflatac.com.

Ahlstrom-Munksjö, Metsä Fibre and 3M, with the help of Earthworm Foundation, continue their close collaboration in responsible wood sourcing. This year the partnership concentrates on the Kainuu region, Finland, where the different parties will conduct research on current forestry practices and future practices linked to Kemi Mill expansion in the area. Based on the results, the three companies will develop their operations and continue collaboration among each other and other stakeholders to pursue sustainability in wood sourcing.

Metsä Fibre, the world’s largest producer of bleached softwood pulp and a globally significant manufacturer of sawn timber; Ahlstrom-Munksjö, a significant wood pulp consumer; and 3M, a global producer of paper-based products, seek to advance environmental performance and sustainability throughout their operations and supply chains. Bringing all supply chain actors together promotes responsible practices from forests to customers.

“Ahlstrom-Munksjö is committed to providing transparency along the supply chain, from forests to fiber-based materials, and to deploying sustainable practices. This unique collaboration is stepping up the supplier-customer relationship, beyond purely commercial benefits, to include people who live and work in the sourcing region. We collectively engage in forest and biodiversity protection, and development of local interests,” said Maud Laverroux, Manager, Sustainable Operations at Ahlstrom-Munksjö.

The partnership, which started in 2019, has mainly focused on responsible wood sourcing in the value chain from forests to end-products. This year, the companies will conduct research in Kainuu, Finland to collect views on the local forestry practices. Research will be organized by Earthworm Foundation, a global non-profit that transforms supply chains by partnering and innovating with the private sector, governments, communities and civil society to create solutions to environmental and social challenges.

“At Metsä Fibre, sustainability and responsibility are an integral part of everything we do. We have ambitious 2030 sustainability targets that help to pave the path towards a low-carbon society. We see that proactive sustainability collaboration with customers and other stakeholders is beneficial for us and also for the entire value chain. We are highly committed to driving responsibility not just in our own operations but also within the industry.” said Marko Ruottinen, Sustainability Manager at Metsä Fibre.

Finnish forests have areas important for their biodiversity, and as a carbon sink and  source of livelihood for local residents, as well as community well-being. Therefore, it is crucial to understand local views and challenges to ensure sustainable operations in the area. Earthworm will conduct interviews with different stakeholders to understand possible issues and development areas related to regional forestry practices. Based on the results, partners will determine with relevant stakeholders what steps, if any, can be taken towards achieving a more sustainable balance between different forest values.

“At 3M, sustainability is tied to shared global needs. For the world to have a sustainable future, many challenges must be addressed, including the limited availability of natural resources and a global climate crisis. We understand that our impact, as we improve our business, our planet, and every life, can be far greater when we collaborate with our suppliers, customers, and communities. This is the continued story of our promise to help solve the world’s greatest challenges,” said Geertje Pollaris, Responsible Sourcing Leader for 3M EMEA Region.

Ahlstrom-Munksjö in brief
Ahlstrom-Munksjö is a global leader in combining fibers into sustainable and technical advanced specialty materials. Our purpose is to Purify and Protect, with Every Fiber, for a Sustainable World. Our vision is to be the Preferred Sustainable Specialty Materials Company for all our stakeholders. We serve five growing and distinctive end markets, which form the basis for our five divisions: Filtration, Food & Consumer Packaging, Healthcare, Building Materials, and Technical Materials. Our annual net sales 2021 amounted to EUR 3.1 billion and we employ some 8,000 people. Read more at www.ahlstrom-munksjo.com

Ever since the SP 102-CE Autoplaten® stole the show at drupa in 1982, BOBST’s flatbed die-cutters with cam-driven movement have paved the way for mass production of high-quality consumer goods. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the revolutionary mechanism that made it all possible.

“Often copied but never equalled,” is how Marco Lideo, Head of Product Line Die cutter Stampers, Flexo, Litho Lam describes BOBST’s cam-driven platen system, which was first granted a patent back in 1982 and subsequently launched at drupa that same year. Originally devised by inventor and engineer Georges Polic, it still remains one of the greatest innovations in die-cutting technology after 40 years on the market.

This unique mechanism for the cutting station in the Autoplaten® press – which itself was invented by BOBST and launched in 1940 – has been implemented across evolutions of the company’s world-leading portfolio of flatbed die-cutters. Customers across the globe have benefited from the much smoother operation and faster speeds enabled by this invention, which allowed the first SP 102-CE model to deliver a record-breaking 10,000 sheets per hour.

“Right from the very early days, BOBST has led innovation in die-cutting with superior technologies and machines that supported the acceleration of the consumer-oriented market,” said Mr Lideo. “From the early 1980s, when mass consumption first took hold, to today’s e-commerce driven society, BOBST continues to provide solutions capable of supplying products at the most competitive productivity rate thanks to revolutionary mechanisms that allow for easy integration into the substrate converting process.”

The patented cam platen technology, which is still the reference point in the industry today, drives the current VISIONCUT, EXPERTCUT and MASTERCUT 106 and 145 models, the SP 162 CER, and the MASTERFOIL 106, along with many legacy machines that have withstood the test of time. Such is the quality of the early flatbed die-cutters that many are still in operation after decades of faithful service, providing customers with enviable speeds and high productivity, year in and year out.

Success based on BOBST die-cutting technology

To mark this amazing achievement, BOBST invited a group of long-standing customers to an anniversary celebration in Switzerland, to thank them for their loyalty and commitment. Hosted at the Competence Center in Mex, the visitors were given a presentation of the product line, a tour of the factory, and the demonstration of the MASTERCUT 1.65, NOVACUT 106 with ACCUREGISTER and the Digital Inspection Table, before enjoying a celebratory lunch.

Speaking to representatives from some of the big companies that attended the event, it is clear that the BOBST die-cutting technology has contributed to the success of their businesses. This is evidenced by the fact that they all continue to put their trust in the Swiss manufacturer.

One such customer is Leopold GmbH Verpackungen in Germany, which processes more than 65,000 tons of carton each year across its three production plants. The company has a total of 11 cam-driven BOBST machines, including five 145 PER die-cutters lined up in a row on the production floor of Works III. “BOBST is more than just a supplier. They have been a reliable partner for us for over 20 years now – from initial consultancy to operations and services – and the machines always deliver superb quality and reliability,” said Valeri Lach, Head of Works III. “We serve a very wide range of segments, and the versatility, high productivity and unbeatable product quality of the BOBST equipment help us fulfil any market requirements.”

LIC Packaging in Verolanuova, which celebrates 70 years in corrugated board production this year, is another loyal customer with a host of BOBST equipment at its disposal. Technical Services Manager R&DRenato Pietta also praised the product quality, but added, “Productivity is a given and so is the high quality; it is the longevity of the BOBST machines that is the real differentiator, coupled with the excellent after-sales service. The comprehensive Maintenance+ program continues to be an important deciding factor for us.”

Founded in Trieste, in Italy, in 1868, Modiano specializes in the production of playing cards and other paper products. The company has three BOBST die-cutters for producing folding carton boxes. Speaking about BOBST as a supplier, partner and innovator, President Stefano Crechici said, “I see BOBST as an innovation leader in this market; a company that is serious and a trusted partner for us. To be honest, I never really looked at the competition, because I know and trust BOBST for its reliability and after-sales service – and we trust in the proven longevity of the equipment.”

“As we celebrate an incredible 40 years of cam-driven platen technology and the many, many businesses that have benefited from this innovation over the years, we also look ahead to many more opportunities for our customers to break productivity records and secure their futures with BOBST die-cutting technology as a foundation,” concluded Mr Lideo.

About BOBST
We are one of the world’s leading suppliers of substrate processing, printing and converting equipment and services for the label, flexible packaging, folding carton and corrugated board industries.

Founded in 1890 by Joseph Bobst in Lausanne, Switzerland, BOBST has a presence in more than 50 countries, runs 19 production facilities in 11 countries and employs more than 5800 people around the world. The firm recorded a consolidated turnover of CHF 1.563 billion for the year ended December 31, 2021.

www.bobst.com

According to Dave Warner, General Manager at Commerce Label, Inc. (CLI), the reason the company decided to add to its existing digital capability with a hybrid was to ‘improve efficiency and maximize output’. This might appear a bold statement from a company that has enjoyed more than a decade of successful digital label production but makes a whole lot more sense when you look at the background to its products and portfolio of customers.

Commerce Label began life in 1991 and operates today from a modern and well-equipped 22,000 sq.ft. facility in Plymouth, MN. Founded by a group of local print professionals, it’s owned and managed today by Jim and Bobbi Senske, Dave Warner, and Adam Schafer. From the early days, CLI focused on using its print and converting expertise to develop relationships and establish a business that was both reliable and trustworthy, focusing on UL/CSA and durable goods.

Adam Schafer, VP Sales & Marketing stated: “We build trust with local customers including product innovation in label applications to UL/CSA compliance. We want CLI to be the ‘go-to’ expert for producing the right label for each application.” The process has clearly worked, because today CLI prides itself on providing print and converting expertise on each inquiry and has secured an extensive customer portfolio that spans many industries.

Brought up on narrow web flexo technology with up to 11-color capability, including a Mark Andy 2200, CLI first invested in digital technology in 2009 with the installation of UV-inkjet press. Explaining this decision, Dave Warner said: “At the time it was a choice between inkjet and toner technology as standalone machines with offline finishing and converting. We chose inkjet because it offered the durability we needed to service our UL/CSA and compliance label customers.”

Move the clock forward 12 years, and the choice facing CLI when it looked to add new digital technology was that things had changed drastically, especially with the advent of hybrid presses. Having performed offline digital finishing for more than 10 years, CLI was keen to see what a hybrid could offer as a means of streamlining manufacturing and maximizing output. Because of the company’s growing need to supply a wide spectrum of SKUs and volume mix, coupled with higher production flexibility, the combination of flexo and digital print technology and inline converting in one hybrid machine was an attractive proposition.

Asked why Mark Andy ended up as the preferred supplier in preference to other manufacturers, Dave Warner stated: “Mark Andy has always been a great partner not only supplying press equipment but also in its dedicated after-sales customer support. When we looked closely at hybrid presses, Mark Andy was the obvious choice because of its engineering capabilities and customer commitment.”

The result was the installation of one of the new Mark Andy Digital Series iQ digital/flexo presses in July 2022. The Digital Series iQ is based on a fully servo-driven Mark Andy Evolution Series flexo platform integrated with a Domino N610i UV-inkjet engine. It is capable of printing 600 x 600dpi in up to seven inkjet colors (CMYKOV + WW) at production speeds up to 230ft/min (70m/min) in high-speed mode or 164ft/min (50m/min) in high-quality mode on a 13” (330mm) web width.

The newly installed Digital Series iQ at CLI’s production facilities in Plymouth is specified with two flexo units before and two after the inkjet engine, which itself has the extended color gamut. The line also has semi-rotary die cutting, web turn bars, and capabilities for cold foil, lamination, and slitting. These extra options were chosen for their ability to handle many of the various embellishments that CLI has traditionally offered its customers, and best of all, the Digital Series iQ has significantly improved speed to market because of its one-pass process, as well as reducing upfront costs.

Asked how he splits jobs between hybrid and flexo, Dave Warner explained: “We analyze job size and complexity and determine the best fit between traditional flexo and producing the job on the Digital Series iQ, taking the product quality and total costs, including prep, into consideration. We are accustomed to this flexo versus digital analysis for the past decade but the Digital Series iQ gives us expanded parameters owing to its width capabilities, inline options, print quality, extended gamut, and print speed.”

According to Adam Schafer, the Digital Series iQ has extended the company’s capabilities as well as added capacity. It has also given us the confidence to service customers with many more SKUs. “We are running new work on it as well as work transitioned from our current digital and flexo presses. The markets we are supplying include industrial goods, durables, electronics, and OEMs, and on the consumer side, labels for nutraceuticals, the food and beverage sector as well as health and beauty.”

Looking ahead, the company will continue to be a solutions provider to its current and future customers, utilizing the wealth of knowledge and expertise accumulated by its staff over the years. Specifically, the company has seen an expansion in the health and beauty and nutraceuticals markets in the past few years including GMI certification. “We will continue to be dedicated to sustainability in design and practice, and engaged in ongoing developments with our trade association, TLMI, where we seek and advocate the least environmental impact towards high performance for our customer’s applications, as well as providing recommendations in design for recycling of labelled containers,” Schafer added.

Concluding for Mark Andy, Sales Manager Ted Bright commented: “To have communicated the Mark Andy hybrid benefits to a quality label converter like CLI and agreed its value as the right production tool for their customers, product portfolio, and ultimately their profitability, says as much for the long-term cooperation between the two companies as the importance of the technology itself and the support involved in ensuring the success of their investment. We are very proud of that relationship and honored to be one of their preferred suppliers. They, like us, believe that hybrid is the way forward.”

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