Third Epson Digital Label Press Provides A-Flex Label with Flexibility and Increased Efficiency

Los Alamitos, CA – Epson today announced A-Flex Label Corporation has installed the Epson SurePress® L-6534VW UV digital label press in its Willowbrook, Ill. facility. A-Flex Label, owned and operated by The Labeltape Group in Caledonia, Mich., is using the SurePress UV press for producing labels for larger volume industrial, medical and cosmetic/personal care markets.

“We’ve continued to see rapid growth in digital printing as it supports and complements traditional flexography,” said Tom Carroll, president, A-Flex Label. “We needed to invest in technology that was able to run at higher speeds and deliver higher capabilities. Based on our extensive work and trust in Epson’s SurePress water-based resin ink digital label presses, we decided the SurePress L-6534VW UV press was the right choice for us, and we haven’t been disappointed.”

The SurePress L-6534VW is designed to be reliable and easy to use, enabling high-speed printing ideal for producing labels and packaging with outstanding durability. The compact design integrates all the functions required for label production, including a Corona Treater, White ink, Digital Varnish, and an additional UV curing unit.

“We are using the Epson UV press for a higher volume of labels that have a lot of versioning to them – runs that we would have traditionally run on flexo because of the higher volume, but now can run digitally with the L-6534VW and not require printing plates. This has allowed us to modify copy on the fly,” continued Carroll.

Carroll notes they trust the quality and reliability they’ve come to expect from Epson. “The print quality is pretty amazing,” said Carroll. “The SurePress has taken quality to an even higher level. It looks and feels almost like offset, lithography print quality.”

“The SurePress L-6534VW was designed for shops like A-Flex that are looking to move work away from flexo machines and onto digital presses, which can provide more flexibility with the ability to print high-quality labels in one pass without the use of plates,” said Mike Pruitt, senior product manager, Epson America, Inc.

As a small/mid-size printer, A-Flex relies on comprehensive service and support. This was critical to their decision since Epson is able support them on-site. “Epson has done an excellent job for many years servicing our SurePress digital label presses. As we evaluated other UV technologies, we ultimately went with Epson because they have both the technology solutions we need and the service and support we know we can rely on,” said Carroll.

“Overall, we’re so impressed with how well thought out this machine is,” concluded Carroll. “It’s an incredibly sophisticated piece of equipment that prevents mistakes from being made and it is a great addition to augment production capabilities.”

The SurePress L-6534VW is available with Digital Varnish or Orange Ink. The print heads, inks, LED pinning and curing lamp units, media feeding, and control system are all developed, serviced and manufactured by Epson. For additional information, visit www.epson.com/surepress. For inquiries in North America, contact:

–        Western Region: Mark Elsbernd, 818-620-2730 or mark.elsbernd@ea.epson.com

–        Central Region: Bob Ochalla, 630-710-6005 or bob.ochalla@ea.epson.com

–        Eastern Region and Canada: Frank Connelly, 615-585-9058 or frank.connelly@ea.epson.com

About Epson

Epson is a global technology leader dedicated to co-creating sustainability and enriching communities by leveraging its efficient, compact, and precision technologies and digital technologies to connect people, things, and information. The company is focused on solving societal issues through innovations in home and office printing, commercial and industrial printing, manufacturing, visual and lifestyle. Epson’s goal is to become carbon negative and eliminate use of exhaustible underground resources such as oil and metal by 2050
Led by the Japan-based Seiko Epson Corporation, the worldwide Epson Group generates annual sales of around JPY 1 trillion. global.epson.com/

Epson America, Inc., based in Los Alamitos, Calif., is Epson’s regional headquarters for the U.S., Canada, and Latin America. To learn more about Epson, please visit: epson.com. You may also connect with Epson America on Facebook (facebook.com/Epson), Twitter (twitter.com/EpsonAmerica), YouTube (youtube.com/epsonamerica), and Instagram (instagram.com/EpsonAmerica).

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EPSON and SurePress are registered trademarks and EPSON Exceed Your Vision is a registered logomark of Seiko Epson Corporation. All other product and brand names are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective companies. Epson disclaims any and all rights in these marks. Copyright 2022 Epson America, Inc.

Elk Grove Villsge, IL—SCREEN Americas announces its participation in the Printing United User Experience event scheduled to take place immediately prior to the Printing United Expo convention which is scheduled for October 19–21, 2022, in Las Vegas, Nevada. The occasion, also referred to as Printing United UX, was created especially for OEMs, associations and other groups interested in further engaging printers in one-on-one conversations that focus on their specific challenges and needs. Registrants of Printing United UX will have access to the convention’s show floor before it officially opens its doors to regular attendees.

In conjunction with its participation in the event, SCREEN Americas also announces the formation of its Executive Customer Council, also known as the ECC, which is comprised of a representative selection of key customers across a variety of print markets. The ECC’s charter is to facilitate relationships among the growing population of SCREEN’s customers, as well as to collaborate with SCREEN GP’s R&D and manufacturing teams in Kyoto, Japan, and to serve as the organizing board for SCREEN Americas’ new User’s Group.

“Our customers have an amazing range of experience in how to effectively integrate SCREEN’s technology within their business operations,” said Mark Schlimme, vice president of marketing for SCREEN Americas. “They’ve ‘been there before’ and we believe that, as a group and in partnership with SCREEN, this community can be a tremendous resource for one another.”

The council’s first president is Executive Vice President of Strategic Initiatives Dave Johannes of Moore DM Group of Lanham, Maryland. Johannes, along with other members of the ECC, will gather at SCREEN Americas’ headquarters in Elk Grove Village, Illinois, in August for its first in-person meeting.

To further garner as much feedback as possible from as many printers as possible, SCREEN Americas and the ECC plan to continually recruit customers for roles and participation within the council.

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, folding carton 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.

www.screenamericas.com

Toray Plastics (America) employees volunteered with the South County Habitat for Humanity to help build a home in South Kingstown for a Rhode Island family.

North Kingstown, RI — Twenty employees from Toray Plastics (America), Inc.,gathered on a beautiful Friday morning in late June to help build a South County Habitat for Humanity home for a South Kingstown, Rhode Island family. The Toray team and the new homeowner, who also worked on the construction of the home, raised and secured roof rafters and interior walls, applied house wrap, taped seams, installed blocking for kitchen cabinets, raised and secured roof trusses for a shed and installed exterior sheathing on that building. Everyone also ate a lot of pizza! The family hopes to move into its new home in October.

“South County Habitat for Humanity is doing terrific work in our backyard,” says Christopher Roy, President and COO, Toray Plastics (America). “When John Eustis, the Vice President of Procurement at Toray, brought this volunteer event to our attention we knew it was a perfect opportunity for the company to give back in a meaningful way to the community. The team had a lot of fun, deepened their bond with each other, and made a personal connection with a new neighbor. And all were amazed at how much was accomplished! I’m very proud of my colleagues,” says Roy.

Eustis notes that he was drawn to Habitat for Humanity’s mission to make the dream of homeownership a reality for people who may otherwise not be able to afford a home of their own. “The tangible, long-lasting impact that Habitat has on the community is admirable and I am happy to play a small part in it. I was so pleased that my coworkers were eager to help,” he says. Eustis and others who volunteered that day plan to volunteer again and do more work on the home.

About Toray Plastics (America), Inc.
Toray Plastics (America), Inc., is a leading manufacturer of polyester, polypropylene, and metallized films and polypropylene and polyethylene foams. The company is committed to environmental, social, and corporate governance and aims to contribute to society through the creation of new value with innovative ideas, technologies, and products that help address global issues. R&D is focused on the development of materials that are fossil fuel-free, compostable, biodegradable, and/or recyclable. The company’s sustainability initiative, launched in 2004, includes the operating of two solar farms and two cogeneration systems, energy and water conservation, recycling, and zero landfill.

Toray Plastics (America) is a subsidiary of the Toray Group, which believes that materials can change lives and provide real solutions to the challenges the world faces. The Toray Group is the world leader in synthetic fibers and textiles, carbon fibers, plastics, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and high-performance films and has annual sales exceeding US$18.4 billion. For more information about Toray Plastics (America)’s products, contact Brenda Ockun, Brand Manager, at brenda.ockun.w9@mail.toray or 315-916-3272. Toray Plastics (America), Inc., headquarters is located at 50 Belver Avenue, North Kingstown, RI 02852-7500; telephone 401-294-4511, fax 401-294-3410. Visit the Toray Plastics (America), Inc., website at www.toraytpa.com.

About South County Habitat for Humanity
South County Habitat for Humanity is dedicated to eliminating substandard housing locally and worldwide through constructing, rehabilitating, and preserving homes, by advocating for fair and just housing policies, and by providing training and access to resources to help families improve their shelter conditions. For more general information, call 401-213-6711, or visit www.southcountyhabitat.org.

Ahlstrom-Munksjö is investing in new technology and converting its existing boilers at its Mosinee and Rhinelander plants in Wisconsin, United States, to reduce its carbon emissions and landfill waste. 

These investments at the Mosinee production plant will enable a reduction in its carbon footprint by an estimated 20%, and a reduction of landfill waste by more than 10%. The project is estimated to be completed at the end of the second quarter in 2023.

In addition, the Rhinelander production plant is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by an estimated 14% and landfill waste by more than 50%. A new energy center and associated buildings at Rhinelander will consolidate and simplify energy operations, enabling the plant to house a future boiler and a heat recovery steam generator. The project will commence immediately and is estimated to be completed in the third quarter of 2023.   

“Being able to proceed with these key projects constitute an important milestone in further strengthening our operations in the US, making Mosinee and Rhinelander stronger platform to support for future growth with our customer base,” says Dan Adrianzon, EVP, Technical Materials.
 
“These investments will enable us to reduce carbon emissions and enhance our operational efficiency,” says Thomaz Gruber, Vice President of Operations for the Wisconsin U.S. plants. “We take our responsibility to protect our natural resources seriously and we have demonstrated this through our sustainable forestry practices as well as the contributions our plants have made to Wisconsin communities for more than 130 years.”

In 2022, Ahlstrom-Munksjö updated its sustainability targets and committed to The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), which is a global body enabling businesses to set emissions reduction targets to be in line with new climate science.  SBTi unveiled a new strategy to encourage businesses to obtain a minimum target of 1.5°C.  

“Ahlstrom-Munksjö intends to reach that trajectory of 38% absolute reduction by 2030 and aspires to reach net zero emissions by 2050,” adds Robin Guillaud, EVP, Sustainability, Innovation & Marketing. “Reducing the emissions and the landfill waste at the Rhinelander and Mosinee plants will be a significant step towards achieving the company’s ambitious sustainability metrics and goals.”

For further information, please contact: 
Global: Johan Lunabba, Vice President, Sustainability & Public Affairs, johan.lunabba@ahlstrom-munksjo.com, tel. +358 50 4069555

Investors: Johan Lindh, Vice President, Group Investor Relations, johan.lindh@ahlstrom-munksjo.com, tel. +358 10 888 4994  

United States: Addie Teeters, Head of Marketing Communications & Public Affairs Food & Consumer Packaging, US, addie.teeters@ahlstrom-munksjo.com, tel. +1 920 202 4455 

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

Shorewood, IL – IST America announces that the company has been selected as a UV curing system partner at Heidelberg’s newly named Print Media Performance & Training Center in Kennesaw, GA. The center opened its doors to the print media industry, customers, vendors, universities and trade associations earlier in the summer, reinforcing Heidelberg’s longstanding commitment to fostering collaborative education and industry workforce training solutions.

The 30,000 square foot Performance & Training Center is the largest print demonstration center in North America and is equipped with multiple Heidelberg printing platforms including a Speedmaster CX 104-6+LX six-color press with fully integrated IST LampCure technology in both interdeck and end-of-press positions, in addition to a Speedmaster XL 106-8P+LX eight-color press with perfector. The XL 106 press has an IST LampCure end-of-press system installed in combination with Heidelberg Drystar LED UV in select interdeck positions, making it a Hybrid UV package. The Performance & Training Center will host in-person and/or virtual demonstrations for equipment and software, showcasing Heidelberg’s newest press and ancillary equipment technology.

IST America President, Bill Bonallo, comments, “We’re honored to be partnering with Heidelberg US at their Performance & Training Center. There is no question that finding and retaining qualified production personnel is one of the most critical issues facing the greater print industry and I commend Heidelberg’s unwavering commitment to providing such an invaluable training and educational resource to the industry. IST America has been a Heidelberg partner for decades and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to support Heidelberg’s critically important efforts in this area.”

www.ist-uv.com/en-us

Cutting edge tactile varnishing, digital foiling and laser die cutting to be demonstrated at show.

Labelexpo Americas 2022 will feature a Digital Embellishment Trail showcasing the latest developments in digital decoration technology from tactile inkjet coating to digital foiling and laser die cutting.

Companies confirmed as participating in the Digital Embellishment Trail include Cartes, Epson, Konica Minolta, Kurz, Mark Andy, Prati and Xeikon. 

Tasha Ventimiglia, Labelexpo Americas show director, said, “The Digital Embellishment Trail will enable attendees to explore the full range of digital decoration options, both stand-alone and inline, with live demonstrations, sample packs and experts on site to discuss how digital embellishment can transform a converting business.”

Commented Andy Thomas-Emans, strategic director of the Tarsus Labels & Packaging Group, “After digital printing, digital embellishment will be the next big game changer for label converters and package printers. Digital embellishment means replacing analog coating, decoration and converting processes with digital. This can range from simply replacing a flexo varnish plate with an inkjet-applied spot varnish, to digital foiling, digitally applied tactile effects, simulated embossing/debossing and laser diecutting – all fully variable with on-the-fly job change and no tooling.”

“The market has embraced, through time, the possibilities of digital printing. We are at a point where it inspires digitalizing the broader aspect of label production; beyond print looking at embellishing and converting. Through the Digital Embellishment program at Labelexpo, we will explore various options which solution fits your business best.” Filip Weymans VP marketing of Xeikon, participants of the Digital Embellishment Trail added.

There will be demonstrations throughout the three days of the show. The Digital Embellishment Trail is free to attend for all Labelexpo Americas 2022 registered visitors. For more details visit www.labelexpo-americas.com.

Brookfield, WI – Colordyne Technologies, a leading manufacturer of digital inkjet print engines, and Kao Collins, Inc., a leading provider of ink formulations, continue their strategic partnership through the development of the 3800 Series WB – Retrofit, a new sustainable water-based mechanical piezo print engine for narrow web labels and packaging.

This joint development leverages the proven high quality performance of Colordyne’s 3800 Series engine design and that of Kao’s LUNAJET inks to create a new eco-friendly, water-based inkjet solution for digital printing on labels, flexible film packaging and other non-porous substrates.

The 3800 Series WB will utilize Kyocera mechanical piezo printhead technology to produce 600×600 dpi quality at speeds up to 300 fpm. Flexible in design, the new water-based print engine is offered in print width configurations ranging from 4.25 to 17 inches and supports up to 7 colors in the process direction. Colordyne’s 3800 Series WB engine is currently available as a retrofit solution that can be mounted onto an existing flexo press, turning it into a single pass hybrid printing and converting platform.

“LUNAJET is the first water-based, pigmented inkjet ink of its kind,” said Chris Rogers, Vice President of Kao Collins. “We take a customized and consultative approach to developing our inkjet ink solutions. Working with Colordyne allows us to combine our innovative products to provide digital print engines and inkjet ink sets that are designed for each customer’s specific printing needs. This allows both of our companies to offer greater value to every customer we serve with this technology.”

LUNAJET is Kao Collins’ proprietary technology known as nanodispersion which increases pigment concentration so the ink can spread evenly over the surface, drop by drop. This process also reduces the amount of ink on the substrate’s surface, which allows for exceptionally fast drying and smooth, superior printing results with vibrant colors.

In addition to being safe for food packaging, the eco-friendly LUNAJET ink releases extremely low amounts of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emissions, which significantly lowers its impact on workspaces and the environment. LUNAJET’s advantages make it the best ink option for industrial printers of food packaging and pharmaceutical packaging.

“Together, we have created an innovative product to serve new markets and applications,” said Taylor Buckthorpe, Director of Sales and Marketing at Colordyne Technologies. “What makes our approach unique is the open conversation we have together with the customer. This allows us to understand the customer’s needs in-depth, so we can craft a solution that combines our custom digital print engine approach with Kao Collins’ tailored ink formulation. The end result is giving the customer’s digital business a competitive edge today and in the future.”

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 Kao Collins
Kao creates high-value-added products and services that provide care and enrichment for the life of all people and the planet. Through its portfolio of over 20 leading brands such as Attack, Bioré, Goldwell, Jergens, John Frieda, Kanebo, Laurier, Merries, and Molton Brown, Kao is part of the everyday lives of people in Asia, Oceania, North America, and Europe. Combined with its chemical division, which contributes to a wide range of industries, Kao generates about 1,420 billion yen in annual sales. Kao employs about 33,500 people worldwide and has 135 years of history in innovation. Please visit the Kao Print website for updated information: www.kaoprint.com.

Intimate event for customers will showcase the latest innovations from RotoMetrics, Fife, Tidland and more, through a social and innovation showcase on September 14 from 5-7 PM CST

Oak Brook, IL – Maxcess, a global leader in innovative products and services for web handling applications, today announced its Social and Innovation Showcase 2022 in Rosemont, Illinois, on September 14 from 5-7 PM, during Labelexpo Americas. This intimate event will showcase the brands latest innovations while giving select customers a chance to discuss their most challenging applications in a more direct venue.

“With the cancellation and postponement of major trade shows and events during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the ongoing uncertainty due the invasion of Ukraine and travel challenges, we made the decision to focus on showcasing our latest innovations this fall through a more intimate event, giving us a chance to have more one-on-one conversations with our customers to help them run better, faster and smarter,” said Keith Laakko, VP of Global Marketing for Maxcess. “We also look forward to returning to the Labelexpo Europe event next fall in Brussels, when things get back to a more normal state from a travel and event perspective.”

Maxcess will feature several new Industry 4.0 products, including adjustable anvils and a new flexible die lineup from RotoMetrics, a new line guide sensor and narrow web guide from Fife, new automatic slitting system from Tidland, 100% vision systems for narrow web and performance coatings tailor-made for label applications. The Social and Innovation Showcase will give customers an excellent opportunity to discuss unique applications and challenges while enjoying cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. 

The event takes place Wednesday, September 14th from 5-7 PM CST at the Double Tree Ballroom, directly across the street from the Donald. E. Stevens Convention Center. 

Please contact your local sales representative to sign up for the event.

“We are excited for the opportunity of one-on-one interactions with some of our key customers, something that has proven to be challenging during large trade show events in the past,” said Frank Tejera, VP of Sales- Americas. “We look forward to showcasing how our latest advancements in label and narrow web can help our customers reduce downtime and scrap, while automating their process.”  

About Maxcess
Maxcess helps its customers maximize productivity through innovative products and services worldwide. By combining more than 400 years of global service and support across the storied product brands of RotoMetrics, Fife, Tidland, MAGPOWR, Webex, Valley Roller, Componex and Maxcess Vision Systems, Maxcess offers an unrivaled network of application experts and end-to-end web handling solutions to help you work better, faster and smarter.

Visit them online at www.maxcess.com