SEI Laser Converting is based in Buja in the northeast corner of Italy.  The company is part of the international SEI Group that has installed more than 7,000 machines in 53 countries around the world since it was established in 1982.  Engaged in a variety of markets from automotive to packaging, the Group prides itself on its ability to offer innovative solutions that help its customers to attract new business.

Its involvement with manufacturing technology for the label and flexible packaging sectors brought SEI Laser Converting into contact with Vetaphone back in 2010 when it developed its narrow web laser die cutting capability into a fully modular converting line known as the Labelmaster for roll to roll and roll to sheet applications.

The Labelmaster series, which is available in 350mm and 600mm web widths, is a high-performance system for the self-adhesive label converters involved in production for the food and beverage, wine, beauty, healthcare, textile, and industrial sectors.  In addition, flexible packaging, anti-counterfeiting, and promotional work are growing areas of importance, with the Labelmaster machines’ ability to work with substrates from paper and carton to plastic films and foils.

According to Raffaella Copetti, Purchasing Manager at the Buja site: “It was our entry into the film and foil area that first alerted us to the need for surface treatment, and after extensive market research, we identified Vetaphone as our preferred supplier.”  Renowned as the inventors of what is known globally as corona treatment, Vetaphone has a unique knowledge bank relating to all types of polymer-based materials and invests heavily in R&D to ensure that its technology keeps pace with the rapidly changing demands of today’s packaging market.

In fact, it was Vetaphone’s attention to detail on each customer job that appealed to SEI, whose business philosophy is closely aligned.  The modular concept of the Labelmaster makes it highly adaptable to individual customer requirements with the benefit that it can be reconfigured after installation to cope with changes in market demand.  According to Giuseppe Rossi, Vetaphone’s Sales Manager for Italy: “This sits well with our technology, because Vetaphone corona systems can be finely tuned to meet the specific demands of different substrates and they are also upgradeable as the need arises.

In today’s competitive packaging market, the Labelmaster’s QR/Barcode reader allows job changes on the fly for maximum productivity.  With laser die cutting now a well-proven industrial process, SEI Laser Converting offers the most efficient digital business model with web to label, web to sticker, and web to flexible packaging.  In this fast-turnaround environment it is essential to have accurate control of all elements and guaranteed reliability.  “We have nothing but praise for the way in which Vetaphone works with us on all of our projects, and only positive feedback from our customers on the reliable performance of their corona systems,” concluded Raffaella Copetti.

www.vetaphone.com

www.seilaser.com

Elk Grove Village, IL — SCREEN Americas announces the installation of the Truepress Jet L350UV SAI S to Hickman Label Company of Lebanon, Tennessee. The installation, which took place in February 2022, marks the two hundredth in the world for the Truepress Jet L350UV series.

Launched in 2019, the Truepress Jet L350UV SAI follows its earlier models, the Truepress Jet L350UV+ and Truepress Jet L350UV+LM and the original model, the Truepress Jet L350UV, which was launched in 2014. The Truepress Jet L350UV SAI series offers greater stability with printing speeds of up to 60 meters per minute and allows for seven printheads with the option for an eighth.  

President Yukiyoshi Tanaka, SCREEN Graphic Solutions Co., Ltd., underscored the company’s continued commitment to the flexible packaging industry with this record installation. “The pandemic challenged the global supply chain including label and packaging markets in ways never seen before. Disruption in the workforce, scarce materials and demands for shorter runs and on-demand printing reinforced the need for digital printing. The Truepress Jet L350UV SAI helps printers overcome these challenges with simple operation, market-leading uptime and exceptional image quality on a wide range of substrates. We have built extensive after-sales support and proactive service systems. This is why many of our customers are repeat buyers, owning multiple units, even though SCREEN pursued this particular market a bit later,” said Tanaka san. “SCREEN GA will continue to support this industry with optimal solutions to fit diverse needs for a market that we know will continue to change.”

For Hickman Label Company, it chose the Truepress Jet L350UV SAI S to expand its business into a full-service label production operation. The company got its start in 2015 by supplying blank labels to the industry. Its founder, Neil Hickman, needed a compact press that was easy to operate and one whose manufacturer offered exceptional training and a great service program.

Immediate plans for Hickman Label Company include constructing a 30,000 square-foot facility to accompany its existing 18,000 square-foot building and 4,000 square-foot warehouse. The company also plans to purchase additional SCREEN equipment and hire more operators. “I expect that the printing side of the business will grow to be as big or even bigger as the blank side of our business,” said Hickman. “The press is already running every day. It’s been a great investment for us.”

To better serve its wide range of customers in a variety of industries, Hickman Label Company will be expanding its website to include an online store for its label side of the business. The company will offer label manufacturing throughout the United States. 

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.

With this acquisition, UPM continues in its strategic path, adding to the organic growth in the attractive specialty packaging material value chain and strengthens the company’s transformation and long-term value creation in one of its three spearheads of growth.

AMC AG, founded in 1996 with roots going back to 1959 is a private company with long-term private owners. The company has two production sites Kaltenkirchen and Hagenow in Northern Germany. AMC’s business includes coating of pressure sensitive filmic labelstock and Viscom/Graphics materials under the Intercoat brand, and removable self-adhesive stationary products under the brand names Global Notes and Print Inform. The company employs more than 300 people and the latest financial year sales of AMC AG was EUR 110 million. UPM Raflatac expects to accelerate AMC’s growth and realize significant synergies.

“The acquisition will strengthen our position in Central Europe and expand our offering to new self-adhesive product lines. AMC’s capabilities and business portfolio are an excellent fit for us. The combination with UPM Raflatac’s efficient supply chain and sales and distribution network will enable further growth. We look forward to offering a stronger product portfolio to our current and new customers,” says Antti Jääskeläinen, Executive Vice President, UPM Raflatac.

“We are pleased to see AMC continuing to grow within UPM Raflatac family. We strongly believe that by combining our knowledge and capabilities with UPM Raflatac’s experience, we can provide even stronger benefits to our customers and a successful future for our employees,” say Wolfgang Leichner and Thomas Schwerdtfeger, shareholders and board members of AMC AG.

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.

AMC AG
AMC AG has two production sites Kaltenkirchen and Hagenow in Northern Germany. AMC’s business includes coating of pressure sensitive filmic labelstock and Viscom/Graphics materials under the Intercoat brand, and removable self-adhesive stationary products under the brand names Global Notes and Print Inform. The company employs more than 300 people.  AMC AG | Advanced Methods of Coating (amc-ag.net)

Tarsus Group, the organizer of Labelexpo Asia, has announced that the show, due to take place 28 June – 1 July 2022, will be postponed until 7-10 December 2022.                 

The announcement comes as a result of the COVID-19 restrictions currently in place in Shanghai.

A re-scheduled event will take place at Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC). As a result of this change Labelexpo South China 2022, due to take place 7-9 December 2022 in Shenzhen World, will be postponed with dates to be confirmed shortly.

Jade Grace, portfolio director, Labelexpo Global Series, said, “We are excited to have new dates this year for Labelexpo Asia. I’d like to thank our exhibitors and visitors for their patience, and we look forward to providing them with a show to remember.”

Rochester, NY – SuperGraphics, a Seattle based large format print company, concluded their search for a faster, more versatile machine with the installation of a Durst Rho 312R Plus. This addition will increase their capacity and productivity, while still providing the highest quality on the market to current and future customers. 

The Durst Rho 312R Plus is a UV inkjet press with up to 1200 dpi print resolution and is specifically designed to print roll materials up to 10.5” wide. The most productive 3.2 m roll-to-roll printer in its class, the Durst Rho 312R defines the quality standard for industrial backlit and fine art printing. It delivers state of the art quality and productivity and is equipped with Durst Workflow and Durst Analytics software, offering enhanced production efficiency.  

SuperGraphics sees the 312R Plus as a logical extension to its versatile equipment line-up and comes one year after installing a Durst P5 350. Reid Baker, President of SuperGraphics commented, “It’s critical that we have consistent quality and reliable uptime in order to meet the challenging lead times that our customers present. With the Durst 312 R, we get the consistent quality and uptime that we need along with the flexibility of a true roll press.”  

“We are delighted that SuperGraphics has purchased a second printer from Durst. Sometimes it’s necessary to own a Durst to completely understand the value we bring. A year after the install of their P5 350, SuperGraphics committed to the 312, a 3-meter dedicated roll printer and a real workhorse in our portfolio,” said Larry D’Amico, Director of Sales: LFP and Fabric. “We are confident this is going to bring their business to the next level.” 

About SuperGraphics:
Based in Seattle, WA, SuperGraphics is a large-format printer specializing experiential environmental graphics and is well known for its commitment to innovation. Their team is a trusted partner to many iconic brands, who rely on SuperGraphics’ ability to execute local and nationwide programs, from concept to completion with superior results. SuperGraphics has operated in Seattle since 2001, servicing the large format graphics needs of Northwest and Nationwide companies.

Phone: 206-284-2201
SuperGraphics online at: https://supergraphics.com/

About Durst:
Durst Group AG is a leading manufacturer of professional digital imaging systems.  The company operates manufacturing facilities in Brixen, Italy, and Lienz, Austria, and has major offices in North America, France, United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, Mexico, Brazil, and Singapore. Durst’s reputation for quality, precision, innovation, sustainability, and reliability spans more than 80 years.

CONTACT:  For information on Durst products and services, contact Sydnie Shepland.
Email: Sydnie.Shepland@Durst-Group.com
Phone: 585-486-0340 ext. 5236

Durst U.S. online at: www.durstus.com

With its new state-of-the-art production facility in Germany, Siegwerk not only strengthened its footprint in Europe securing fast lead times and highest quality consistency for its customers in the EMEA region, but also enabled the manufacturing of modern ink solutions at highest technical standards. The new generation of Siegwerk NC inks is now the first series for flexible packaging printing that is manufactured at this site.

Siegburg, Germany – Siegwerk, one of the leading global providers of printing inks and coatings for packaging applications and labels, is now offering a new generation of NC inks for flexible packaging applications produced with the most state-of-the-art production equipment at its headquarters in Germany.

For the new generation of NC inks, the formulations have been optimized to match both latest production technologies and current market trends. The new NC ink series includes colors and clears and is designed for gravure and flexo printing of all kinds of flexible packaging. The system’s versatility and flexibility make it a genuinely all-purpose solution for surface and reverse printing with lamination applications. “Compared to previous generations, our new series offers an extended functionality, an outstanding quality consistency and optimized rheological properties, significantly improving print results and efficiency,” says Björn Ewig, Head of Technology Flexible Packaging EMEA.

Siegwerk’s new NC innovation offers customers a higher flexibility through optimized technical performance and higher color strength, allowing an even better tailoring to individual needs. Due to the high quality consistency through fully automated production and optimized process data control, the new system also supports customers in implementing new production processes such as Extended Color Gamut printing (7-color set printing) to make the printing process more efficient and resource-saving.

With the new NC ink generation Siegwerk now launched the first flexible packaging ink system manufactured at the fully automated production facility in Siegburg. All components of this new generation of NC inks – masterbatches, master compounds (technical varnishes) and blending varnishes – are manufactured with the newest production technologies along with an improved process data control, less material waste and a sustainable sourcing of raw materials. Going forward, the company will gradually convert the production of all its flexible packaging solutions to the automated process.

Over the last couple of years, the company has invested a considerable amount in the automation of its production facility in Siegburg to improve processes, expand production capacities and increase efficiencies. Today, Siegwerk’s site is the largest fully automated production facility for printing inks in Europe equipped with state-of-the-art grinding and blending technologies. “Due to a more precise controllability of all process parameters, the new workflow significantly improves efficiencies and takes product consistency to a whole new level,” says Dirk Weissenfeldt, Vice President Flexible Packaging EMEA at Siegwerk. “This enables us to even better meet the growing customer demand for consistent and high quality as well as solid and fast delivery.” All these site expansion activities not only enabled the company to take its production to the highest technical standards but are also a clear signal of a long-term commitment to production in Central Europe. “Customers in the EMEA region can rely on high quality consistency, fast lead times and short supply chains across Europe when collaborating with us. We are committed to long-term and future-oriented partnerships,” adds Weissenfeldt. Moreover, the new automated setup supports a safer and cleaner production with less waste and a lower loss of solvents, fully in line with Siegwerk’s sustainability agenda.

The company is continuously focusing on the expansion of its offering for the packaging market and to strengthen its market leadership in labels and flexible packaging applications. With a combination of best-in-class ink performance, high product safety, and continuous support and guidance, Siegwerk always makes any effort to support customers in addressing upcoming trends and meet their individual needs with innovative solutions going forward.

About Siegwerk
Siegwerk, a sixth-generation family-owned company, is one of the leading international manufacturers of printing inks and individual solutions for packaging, labels, and catalogs. With more than 180 years of experience, the company has solid expertise in and knowledge of many printing procedures. A global manufacturing and service network ensures customers consistently high-quality products and services. In keeping with the company’s philosophy “Ink, Heart & Soul,” Siegwerk seeks long-term cooperation with its business partners. Siegwerk employs some 5,000 people worldwide in more than 30 country organizations and is headquartered in Siegburg near Cologne.

Further information on Siegwerk can be found at www.siegwerk.com

SurePress L-4733AW Delivers Improved Automation Functionality and SurePress L-6534VW with Orange Ink Offers Expanded Color Gamut Without Added Costs

Los Alamitos, CA – Epson America today announced it continues its legacy of providing world-class white ink prime label printing with the introduction of the  SurePress® L-4733AW water-based resin ink digital label press, delivering improved automation. Additionally, as label converters look for ways to add additional color gamut to labels without increasing price, Epson is adding the SurePress L-6534VW with Orange Ink to its portfolio of UV inkjet digital label presses. These new additions to the SurePress line offer higher levels of print quality, consistency, flexibility, and value for label converters, specialty printers and vertical manufacturers.

The SurePress L-4733AW builds on the success of its predecessor, the L-4533AW, one of the leading selling digital inkjet label presses on the market today, to offer advanced automation and unattended printing features, higher productivity on film substrates and an optional inline spectrometer. The SurePress L-6543VW with Orange Ink, an alternative to the L-6534VW with Digital Varnish, has a 92% PANTONE® coverage certification within Delta E of 1.5,1 using minimum colors to deliver maximum gamut. Enabling reliable and repeatable high-speed printing of up to 2 million square feet per month,2 it can serve the largest of label converters.  

“Label converters and specialty printers are looking for solutions that are simple and cost-effective to operate and maintain, and can deliver on stable, predictable production,” said Mike Pruitt, senior product manager, Epson America, Inc. “Epson enhanced its industrial SurePress lineup by adding new capabilities with the L-4733AW and expanding gamut with the L-6534VW with Orange Ink, which can help businesses save on upfront costs and maintenance. These advancements come without the compromise of simple operation and maintenance, production or print quality.”

More about the SurePress L-4733AW

The SurePress L-4733AW delivers on automation and ease of use. Virtually automatic, requiring no manual cleaning of the printhead surface, the L-4733AW is primed for unattended printing. With the optional SureSpectro AS-4000 inline spectrometer for real-time automated measurements to speed profiling and ensure consistent output for multi-plant networks, the L-4733AW delivers accurate spot colors and gradients required for brand-quality color prime labels and packaging. The L-4733AW supports a range of substrates, including off-the-shelf flexo materials, without the need to surface prime. Its inks meet the latest safety standards and regulations, such as REACH, and deliver high-quality images, making it a versatile press ideal for converters focusing on food and beverage and health and beauty labels.

More about the SurePress L-6534VW with Orange Ink

The SurePress L-6534VW with Orange Ink uses CMYK with standard high-opacity White Ink plus Orange Ink to widen the color gamut using minimum colors required to do so. Incorporating PrecisionCore® linehead technology and high-pigment, low-migration LED UV curing ink, the press’s center drum system is a space-saving, compact design integrating all of the functions required for production, such as Corona treatment, White Ink, web cleaner, ionizer, and an additional UV curing unit, all standard. The new model also supports a range of paper and film substrates, offering low running costs.

Availability

The SurePress L-4733AW and L-6534VW with Orange Ink will be available in June 2022. Epson’s SurePress digital label press systems are engineered with Epson components including ink, printheads, LED pinning, and curing, and use an Epson Industrial Robotic Controller to manage the press rather than a PC, further enhancing reliability and stability. 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).

1 1,975 (92.0%) of the PANTONE® Solid Coated colors are within the gamut of the Epson SurePress L-6534VW CMYKOr, ink, Fasson AB074PP Top White substrate system.

2 Verified by Epson Remote Management Services.

EPSON, PrecisionCore 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 VILLAGE, Illinois—SCREEN Americas announces the installation of a second Truepress Jet520HD to Wolverine Solutions Group of Detroit, Michigan. The company purchased an identical press in 2016. The recent investment afforded Wolverine Solutions Group the opportunity to remodel 25,000 of its 200,000 square-foot facility into a state-of-the-art climate-controlled room built for optimized productivity.            

The two SCREEN press lines, which now account for 75 percent of Wolverine’s total output, are arranged perpendicular to each other in an L configuration providing streamlined material handling and operator efficiency. While one Truepress Jet520HD is typically reserved for transactional work, the other is used for direct marketing programs involving oversized postcards and self-mailers printed on heavy coated stock. The identical configurations between the units allow the Michigan-based printer to transfer applications from one press to the other if necessary or double its throughput for longer runs. As a result of its increased agility, the company has downsized inventory and eliminated several toner-based presses.

Darryl English, president of Wolverine Solutions Group, credits the company’s success to the Truepress Jet520HD’s speed, image quality and ability to print on multiple substrates. Continuous roll-fed inkjet technology has also allowed the printer to completely eliminate the need for preprinted shells. “This has resulted in tremendous gains in efficiency that would have otherwise been lost through the management of preprinted forms,” said English. “SCREEN allows us to produce output more quickly and retain full control of every project from start to finish. This is key since we live in an on-demand world where speed-to-market remains the most important performance indicator to focus on.”

Founded in 1980, Wolverine Solutions Group serves highly regulated industries including healthcare, manufacturing, finance, government and insurance. A daily output of more than one million impressions is performed by 140 employees covering three shifts per day, seven days per week. 

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

Grace Label is a full-service narrow web label and packaging converter located in Des Moines, Iowa offering pressure-sensitive, roll-fed, and cut & stack labels; shrink sleeves; pouches; flexible packaging; and more.

We caught up with the team at Grace Label to learn more about their business, the impact of digital printing during COVID & Supply Chain disruptions, and their partnership with Domino. 

The interview was captured in this VIDEO: Grace Label & Domino

“We do what we say we’re going to do.”

Steve Grace, President of Grace Label describes his company. “We feel we’re a really good company because we do what we say we’re going to do.  We invest in our people, we invest in our equipment, and we make sure that our customer come first. We’re a 40-year-old family printing business. A lot of the folks here have been here a long, long time. We were young. I had hair.  We have several employees that are multiple generation. That tells you what I think it’s about.”

Four decades and continuing to grow.

“As a percentage, our largest market would be food & beverage. We also have a large growing market in craft beer, wine, and spirits. One of our customers is children’s stickers. We did over 275 million labels for that company last year. The combination of adding equipment, adding capital, adding people has enabled a 40-year-old company to have a significant increase in sales.”

Going Digital.  Taking it to another level.

“I don’t think we can pinpoint the exact moment we decided that we needed to go digital. Really, it came down to there were probably only three of four digital printers in the market that had the history. And as we assessed those, the Domino just stood out as…by far…the best choice for our company. And we had a great resource. I had a great relationship prior with Chuck Stone (Sr. Account Manager at Domino). That made the decision, and the entry into digital, much easier.”

Lou Thurston, Account Executive says, “In the eight years that I’ve been with Grace Label, I’ve seen a significant investment by the company in print technology. It started out with some of the higher end flexo presses and then we moved into the Domino press that helped us take it to another level. The results are just outstanding. We’ve seen our business grow 15% year over year. We would have never of had the opportunity had we not had the Domino technology. I couldn’t be happier.”  

The Challenge of COVID and Supply Chain

Lou continues, “Since our business is into the food & beverage industry, customers found themselves in out-of-stock situations that they hadn’t in the past as a result of COVID, and the Domino helped us really get people out of a jam.”

Steve adds, “Grace Label saw an increase in business, we saw an increase in demand. Our customers got busier. The Domino was able to turn around orders we had not had before. We were able to develop new customers. And right now during the Supply Chain disruption, the Domino is fantastic because we are able to put something on there, move it over from our flexo presses and we are able to adapt and keep our customers rolling.”  

The Domino Difference

Lou adds that it’s even more than just the technology. It’s the support, it’s the partnership. “The Domino difference for us is that they are a true business partner. Domino has been excellent in their after-sales support, and we certainly do not feel like they are just a vendor.  They have definitely become a business partner at Grace Label.  Their people are here when we need them.  Their technology folks are on the phone whenever we have questions. They help us think about our business in different ways. They’re a true partner.”

Steve summarizes the impact of Domino throughout COVID and Supply Chain disruptions. “We’ve had digital now for two and a half years. The Domino difference has really impacted Grace Label. And the Domino has been one of our best tools to be able to respond to our customers. I can’t imagine going back to a time without the ability to run the Domino.”

Domino is a leading manufacturer and distributor of digital printing and product identification solutions.  Celebrating its 44th year in business, Domino is a global organization with world headquarters in the UK, and North America headquarters in Gurnee, IL.  Domino has 25 subsidiaries, representation in over 120 countries, and over 3,000 employees worldwide. 

For more information on Domino digital printing, please visit dominodigitalprinting.com