Labelexpo Europe 2023 – Workflow and inspection | 123WORKFLOW AND INSPECTIONAutomation and industry collaboration were key trends on display for workfow, software and inspection suppliers at Labelexpo Europe 2023. Chelsea McDougall reportsoday’s label and packaging converters are more effciency-savvy than ever, and looking for suppliers that can help them streamline production and get more out of their equipment Tat a time when workers are in short supply.CCL’s group vice president, of healthcare and specialty, Lee Prestell put a fner point on it during a panel discussion hosted by HP during Labelexpo Europe 2023.‘If we can’t fnd people, we need to fnd suppliers that can make it so we don’t need as many people,’ he says. ‘Automation happens in small steps, but we’re really going to push our suppliers hard on this. We can’t afford to throw more people at production uptime because we don’t have any more people to throw at it.’Automation was undoubtedly the key talking point at Labelexpo Europe 2023. It’s clear Labelexpo exhibitors in the workfow and inspection category took note of converters’ critical need to produce faster, leaner and smarter as the industry moves to an end-to-end digitized and agile workfow. “AUTOMATION IS OFTEN LINKED TO HARDWARE, BUT WHERE I THINK MORE THAN MACHINESAutomation isn’t just about the machinery. Perhaps more THERE’S STILL A LOT OF OPPORTUNITY critically, workfow software provides the backbone of a seamless production line.IS AUTOMATING IN THE FRONT END. A ‘Automation is often linked to hardware, but where I think there’s still a lot of opportunity is automating in the front end,’ BIG PART OF THE AUTOMATION STORY said Esko’s marketing director Jan de Roeck. ‘A big part of the automation story is getting the press ready. If we do a good job IS GETTING THE PRESS READY”in the beginning, the less work we have to do further into the production cycle. An error becomes more expensive the later in the Europe showing, with more than 550 companies visiting its printing process it occurs. That’s why it’s so important to automate booth, and customers placing orders valued at more than 1.5M your process and standardize your workfow.’ USD. Hybrid Software shared the stand with group companies He continues: ‘Error and waste reduction have a direct impact ColorLogic, Global Graphics Software, Meteor Inkjet and Xitron.on the environmental footprint of packaging businesses. With At the show, Global Graphics’ SmartDFE, was launched. The sustainability and digitalization fundamentally altering how the digital front end combines technology from all Hybrid Software industry operates, it is imperative that today’s label and packaging companies: fast rasterization from Harlequin Direct, spot color companies invest in digital workfow technology that enables matching for CMYK and extended gamut digital presses from them to boost effciency, reduce costs and improve their overall ColorLogic, as well as workfow automation tools adapted from productivity.’ Hybrid’s Cloudfow software and fle preparation and VDP tools At the show, Esko, together with X-Rite Pantone, showed based on Packs. SmartDFE and Xitron’s Navigator DFE were on an automated workfow, as well as color management, fexo display at several partner booths at Labelexpo.plate making, digital print and print inspection tools. Esko also Over at the EyeC booth, the company promoted its workfow participated in the Automation Arena, where de Roeck hosted. integration with Hybrid Software. The direct integration of the Esko highlighted its Phoenix software, an AI-based tool for web-based artwork proofreading system EyeC ProofText into planning and imposition productivity with an interface between Cloudfow by Hybrid Software enables maximum effciency in the prepress and production data. Additionally, Esko demonstrated artwork creation process. how it collaborates with X-Rite Pantone in color management EyeC ProofText uses Mako Core technology from Global software and measurement solutions to support digital workfows. Graphics Software to process PDF documents. Mako Core uses a Cerm used the show to promote its smart MIS software and was unique document object model (DOM) to control color, fonts, text, also featured as a key partner on the Automation Arena. images, vector content and metadata. Through DOM APIs, content ‘The MIS is the backbone of the Automation Arena,’ says Geert can be queried and edited across formats and platforms, and digital Van Damme, Cerm CEO. ‘By removing the actions of operators, documents can be modifed. The web-based artwork proofreading you can save time, you can increase your quality and you can make system EyeC ProofText detects and evaluates deviations within fewer errors and become 30 percent more productive.’ the revision check, including content and font style, within a single Cerm offers an automated workfow connecting all elements of process step. the converting business. The company hosted panel discussions with customers and partners to showcase its MIS software to TECHNOLOGYimprove productivity and process more orders faster and better by Bel used the show to showcase an integration with its Overprint connecting all systems into one interactive workfow. MIS with Bobst technology. Yiannis Katis, bel’s CEO commented: Meanwhile, Hybrid Software reported an excellent Labelexpo ‘The activity at our booth and at the show far exceeded our Oct - Dec 2023