Xeikon100 | RIP are locked, but fles sent to the digital presses can still be manipulated. The importance of this becomes clear with the new generation of Cheetah 2.0-compatible Xeikon presses ftted with in-line spectrophotometers. The spectrophotometer automatically measures the printed color and sends that information back to the RIP, which can trigger an on-the-fy re-profle in less than eight minutes. The print is then measured again. This closed loop system will also warn the operator if there is a major color problem that needs to be addressed back at pre-press. ‘This is a real revolution compared to manual profling, which take much longer and needs human skills, hardware and software,’ explains Filip Weymans. ‘Of course, you still need to take the same time to profle the press, but you do not need the skilled operator to verify the color after that. Since we are automating and moving onto the Cloud, our color services are available 24/7 and you do not need the expertise in house to achieve consistent color. What we are aiming for is true “lights out” color quality monitoring.’LCU33 modular fnishing platformAnother link in the color management chain is provided by Color Forecast, which allows a brand manager to understand how closely a color can be reproduced from an ECG ink set. The system starts have specifed, along with a grid of closely related shades. by running a PDF through the XCS server’s Pantone look-up table, States Weymans, ‘This is for a situation where a brand owner then selects a substrate-related press profle. The system then has only seen that color on a screen, and is not quite happy with indicates the expected color deviation. the printed color. So now they can select the color he or she ‘This means that the printer can offer the customer different wants it to be. This works quickly in digital. It can also be done for options, which will affect price. For example to keep within a certain a fexo press, though of course this takes more time.’ deltaE you might need to add extra colors with an additional cost,’ explains Weymans.For more information about Xeikon Café events, go to A related application is the Candyshop color-picker. This www.xeikoncafe.compresents the brand owner with the printed Pantone color they Sappi launches Parade Label SG rangeSappi has expanded its product portfolio segment and a new glossy wet-glue with Parade Label SG, a one-side label. Both launches were very successful coated, semi-gloss facestock paper with and have far exceeded our expectations. performance characteristics suitable Another launch is currently being for a wide range of applications. Parade planned. With our state-of-the-art Label SG is approved for direct contact mill in Gratkorn, Austria, we are ideally with food and complies with DIN EN 71 positioned to expand our label paper for toy safety. The range of applications production and to deliver absolutely includes labels for food, non-food, reliable service.’beverages and health and beauty aids Sustainability is a key focus. ‘The Michael Bethge, sales director Specialty Papers at Sappi Europe(HABA), as well as for logistics and trend towards more sustainability is variable information printing (VIP) due becoming clear in all areas – and of to its thermal transfer printability. course, this also involves label materials,’ The company is also working hard The Parade Label SG range is available says Bethge. ‘We are hearing more and to minimize C02 emissions. This in grammages of 77, 78 and 80gsm and more often that brand manufacturers are begins with the development of new features high stiffness and resilience to looking to switch from plastic to paper, products, through the optimization resist damage during the printing and because with paper they are using a of production, all the way through to die-cutting process. renewable raw material for their labels. more effcient services.Michael Bethge, sales director ‘We are also seeing an increasing Specialty Papers at Sappi Europe, says number of experts talking about the Market growththe label market continues to show possible use of recycled fbers. As a virgin ‘The label paper business has become strong growth for the company in both fber manufacturer, we are watching a key area of activity for us, and one self-adhesive and wet-glue label sectors, this trend closely. At present, virgin fber in which we intend to invest further,’ and in both wet-strength and non-wet- papers still have decisive advantages states Bethge. ‘We have already strength grades. over recycled material. These include established a very good foundation ‘We have made it our goal to better printing and fnishing results, for for further growth. In the case of strengthen the label paper segment example, and they are considerably more self-adhesive labels, our customers as a whole and to address gaps in our tear-resistant in use.’ beneft from the fact that they can also portfolio,’ says Bethge. ‘That’s why we FSC or PEFC certifcates are available obtain the silicone base papers from us. launched two new label papers last year: on request for the Parade Label SG Everything from a single source, so to a semi-gloss paper in the self-adhesive series, as for all Sappi’s paper grades. speak, from an independent supplier.’labelsandlabeling.com