Editor’s welcome | 9L&L looks back (L&L issue 4, 2009)LABELS&LABELING| 43| LABEL NEWS 12 LABELS&LABELING| 75LABELS&LABELING| 55news8][]hU`]bjYghaYbhaYYhgAUhW\]b[X][]hU`k]h\ÒYlck]bYWYfh]ÑWUh]cbghUbXUfXgLabelexpo specialDIGITAL WORKFLOW and color-matched digital and ?exo printing was demonstrated at converter Hine TWO SPANISH LABEL CONVERTERS have installed Domino K-Series inkjet printers to help meet the Label’s UK Open House. James Quirk reportsGALLUS launch the ?rst narrow web label press to be made of granite at Labelexpo Europe. requirements of Spain’s Regulatory Board of Rioja. James Quirk reports Andy Thomas reports on this and other new press developmentsUK converter Hine Labels, based in Rotherham, Yorkshire, recently held an ‘This means that we do not have to make a >8:Autoadhesivos Argraf and Hermanos Bacigalupe S.L have of several rows of data simultaneously. ‘As far as we are open house event in conjunction with Punch Graphix UK, featuring the UK’s decision whether a job will be printed digitally GALLUS TARGETS ECS 340 AT invested in six Domino K100 variable data drop-on-demand concerned, the K-Series is the only solution on the market ?rst Xeikon 3000 digital label press. or via ?exo until the last minute,’ said Hine. DIGITAL TOO…MANUFACTURE OF COMMODITY LABELSinkjet printers to ful?ll the data printing requirements of that can not only satisfy the Consejo’s need for high-speed, Under the banner ‘Digital and Flexo, a Perfect Match’, the event focused ‘Certainly the quality that we can achieve with The digital revolution continues to advance resolution and speed – printing at up to Labelexpo Europe 2009 saw the Gallus Spain’s Regulatory Board of Rioja, the Consejo Regulador error-free printing of superior quality variable data codes, on the compatibility of digital with traditional ?exo printing. Tests produced our Xeikon 3000 is a very good match to the at a great pace, and this Labelexpo gives almost 50 meters (160 ft) a minute and with Group launch a press designed for the de la Rioja. but in particular the high-resolution logo demanded in this during the open day demonstrated the ability of Hine Labels to produce labels produced via the ?exographic process, converters a chance to see all the latest a Rotoworx ?nishing unit. Stork (see p.59-cost-effective manufacture of commodity As well as a need to print high quality sequential numbers instance,’ says Peña.identical print quality from both processes, which Bill Hine, managing so the decision as to how to produce a given developments. Not only are there digital press 60) meanwhile launches its long-awaited labels. The Gallus ECS 340 press is based and batch code information, the installations follow the Hermanos Bacigalupe, meanwhile, based in Pradoluengo, director of Hine Labels, sees as critical in order for digital to take an ever job is down to other factors, such as run length demonstrations from established suppliers 4-color UV inkjet DSI digital press with in-line on a robust core of technical granite. VfYU_h\fci[\Consejo’s decision to enhance the design of its wine labels Burgos, is a forty-year old family-owned business, which more signi?cant proportion of the label printing market. or how quickly the customer needs the job, or a – HP Indigo with its mold-breaking WS6000, ?nishing courtesy of ABG. It will operate the Commenting on the launch, Stefan by ensuring that each one incorporates a high-resolution like Argraf is a key supplier to the Consejo. Bacigalupe’s ‘Our business comes mainly from trade customers,’ said Hine. ‘They part of the job.’Xeikon’s 3300/3000 family, EFI’s Jetrion press in conjunction with Kolibri Labels, its Heiniger, vice-president research and image of its logo. Thanks to the performance delivered by production of wine labels represents a major aspect of the generally don’t have a preference with regard to the printing process that we 4000 among many others – but there are new ?rst commercial customer. development of the Gallus Group, said: the K-Series, both Argraf and Bacigalupe – two of the most business and sees the company output over two million use. What they want is high quality, color- consistent labels in the shortest players entering the market. For a full selection of digital press suppliers "Visitor numbers on the day ‘Thanks to its extremely high load-bearing equipment includes two 370mm-wide the plates or clichés and for the die-cut. turnaround times. ‘We’re now capable important printers to serve the label printing needs of the every day.possible production time. In this issue of L&L (p. 50-51) Mike Fairley at the show, see our comprehensive preview capacity, technical granite is ideal Gidue ?exo presses, and two 340mm Plus we wanted to set up an automated of addressing very demanding and were excellent, and many label Consejo – have been able to secure key contract renewals Managing director Dionisio Bacigalupe says: ‘Quite simply, However, we have to face the fact that run lengths are decreasing across previews the new Durst tau inkjet system, starting on p.154 of this issue. This is going and 420mm-wide Codimag offset production planning tool, capable of quality-driven customers that we were not for use in machine construction. It is with their customer. investing in Domino’s K-Series has allowed us to continue to many of our markets, and this is what tends to determine which print which claims a breakthrough in terms of to be an exciting show…producers were particularly presses. 5/7 has a record of bold following production in real time.’ in a position to target until this past year. responsible, among other things, for the ‘We print 2,300 million wine labels every year, so it’s undertake work for one of our most important accounts. The process we use for a given job. The further enhancements in both image excited to see the match implementation of new technologies. Within six months, the JDF interface In a troubled economy, we’re actually user-friendly design of the Gallus ECS vital that we maintain pace with the changing needs of level of print quality we are able to achieve has surpassed quality and production speed for the Xeikon 3000 meant that it was the next Regular L&L readers will recall that the provided by EskoArtwork and CERM was growing our business in the high-end 340. The printing units are suspended on above all, stays there – without any compromising on quality or cost-we were able to show them our customers,' explains Carlos Peña, one of the directors even the expectations of the Consejo, who are delighted with logical step for us, and, in our market, this press provides the ideal digital company pioneered Codimag’s Ani?o functional and being used in production. market,’ says Wack.the granite structure, allowing the printer register control whatsoever. Our paper ef?ciency.’ at Autoadhesivos Argraf, based in Logroño, in the north how their code appears.companion to our ?exo printing equipment.’between digital and ?exo label short offset inking system, for example ‘Our planning tool allows each of our The experience acquired by easy access and thus ensuring ease waste has been cut dramatically.’ The Gallus ECS 340 does not need of Spain. ‘The Consejo Regulador de la Rioja selects the ‘At the same time, the K100 grants us extra versatility, printing"(see L&L3, 2008 p28). specialists to keep track of their assigned EskoArtwork and CERM on this project of operation. What’s more, granite is a The very short web path means that an exhaust system thanks to a new highest quality wines from the Rioja region and grants them should we need it. For example, the 71mm print head offers HYBRID WORKFLOWThe prepress room at 5/7 Etiquette is work,’ says Wack. ‘Much of the information has been worked into the two companies' natural raw material whose use has a very adjustments made during production are development in the UV system. The Denominación de Origen status, so it is imperative that the variable settings to obtain the exact imaging area desired Hine Labels utilizes EskoArtwork’s Backstage software to process artwork equipped with a BackStage work?ow involved comes directly from the prepress products and JDF integration services. positive impact on the CO2 balance of the visible immediately, while the dynamic UV dryers are fully encapsulated and printed output we produce for them is also of the highest and we can maximize the print resolution simply by changing for both digital and ?exo production, as well as an Esko CDI platemaker IMAGING ACCURACYserver with PackEdge workstations and system. We have also set up dedicated ‘Integrating a JDF connection with CERM quality.’ the angle of the print head. From an ef?ciency perspective, Gallus ECS 340. The eco-friendly design feed ensures that the print image is not watercooled so that no air extraction is for ?exo plate creation. The system allows customer ?les to be prepared in The Xeikon 3000 produces images at 1200dpi, a FlexRip driving an EskoArtwork CDI workstations next to the printing presses, and BackStage has allowed us to create Peña has installed two K100 inkjet print heads, as well print ready can be achieved within ?ve minutes and job of the Gallus ECS 340 is underpinned by altered when speeds are changed. ‘We required, resulting in low noise levels. advance of selecting which process will produce the ?nal job. with four bits per spot, and offers an increased platesetter. In October 2007, 5/7 Etiquette where our personnel can log pressroom an advanced automated work?ow that as Domino’s Editor GT Controller, at Argraf’s 10,000 changeover is possible within seconds.’imaging width of 322mm, against the 307mm the ease with which the granite can be now trust the press’ register accuracy took the decision to link its CERM MIS and events, such as paper usage and is uniquely suited to the production square meter print facility. The 300dpi, 100m/min K100 Concludes Bacigalupe: ‘These are challenging times for imaging width of the Xeikon 330 machine. All recycled once the press reaches the end to the extent that printers can focus on PREMIUM PERFORMANCE prepress systems using JDF. ‘The original completion times.’ demands of the label market,’ comments integrates directly with Domino’s Windows XP-based any print business, which is why it is essential that we invest machines are based on a 330mm substrate of its life cycle.’ preparing the next job without having On pages 47-48 of this L&L we report on goal was to eliminate duplicate information 5/7 Etiquette's production team noted Wim Delagrange, business development Editor GT Controller, which combines data preparation in advanced digital printing hardware to deliver upon the width. The 3000 has a top speed of 31.5 For labels with limited ?nishing to continuously check the quality of the the launch by Mark Andy of a new range entries in our separate MIS and production an immediate and signi?cant increase automation and integration manager at and management tools for in-line printing of addresses, expectations of our clients. Moving forward, it is reassuring feet per minute, and a monthly duty cycle of requirements in commodity applications print results – even at top speeds, adds of presses, the Performance Series P7. systems,’ explains Patrick Wack, in quality and reliability. ‘In practical EskoArtwork.personalized data, graphics, serialized numbers and codes. to know that the proven ?exibility and performance attributes 1,500,000 feet. The ?ve color engine provides - such as food and pharmaceuticals, Esser from Barthel. This machine is engineered to compete president of 5/7 Etiquette. ‘We wanted to terms, we now feel like we’re using A MANGO JUICE label is separated in EskoArtwork's The K100s run in conjunction with the company’s existing of Domino’s K-Series will meet the needs of our key for the four standard process colors plus a substrate costs can account for up to The ECS 340 uses sleeves on the in the shorter and shorter run work now reduce errors and increase quality and a single uni?ed system, rather than pre-press, which sends the plate information to the offset printing equipment and enable in-line digital printing customers as and when they change.’choice of spot color, special security toner for 50 percent of the label’s total cost. This plate cylinder and anilox for fast job dominating the industry and premiers a productivity.’ two interconnected systems,’ says CERM MIS. See the video demonstration at anti-counterfeiting applications, or an opaque means that the amount of waste produced changeovers, which are further helped completely new, fully servo-driven print www.labelsandlabeling.comThe project grew rapidly from a set of Wack. ‘Reliability has taken a huge white for the ‘no label’ look on transparent impacts strongly on the margin of a job. by a chambered blade system. The press station concept.simple SQL queries into the MIS system leap forward – incidents caused by material. The Gallus ECS 340 is designed for comes with full servo drive technology The Performance Series press to a more structured JDF integration. insuf?cient or inaccurate job preparation The Xeikon press is capable of handling a maximum waste reduction, with the web and is equipped with cooled impression demonstrated in Brussels will be an ‘EskoArtwork and CERM worked closely have totally disappeared.’ 5/7 Etiquette wide range of substrates including self-adhesive length measuring just over 11 meters for cylinders, allowing a wide range of 8-color,17 inch (510mm) machine, and with our IT staff to de?ne the right has also noticed a dramatic reduction ?lms, co-extruded ?lms, unsupported ?lms, an 8-colour machine. substrates to be converted. will showcase a rapid changeover from speci?cations and implement a working in paper waste and a general increase paper, transparent and opaque foils, and One of the ?rst Gallus ECS 340 presses ‘The Gallus ECS 340 is available at a 7-color clear-on-clear PS ?lm job to solution,’ adds Wack. ‘Beyond our main in productivity, allowing for shorter paperboard. has been in action at Barthel GmbH a very competitive price,’ says Klaus an unsupported ?lm, with the new job focus of eliminating duplicate entries, in Essen since mid-2009, primarily for Bachstein, CEO of the Gallus Group. in register in less than one press length, we also wanted to make it possible to DIGITAL AND FLEXOthe production of food labels. Herr ‘This is due to the fact that the press has then accelerating to print at 750ft/min automatically create the imposition for Commenting on the Hine Labels event, Greg Esser, production manager at Barthel, been tailored precisely to the needs of (230m/min).Neesham, sales director for Punch Graphix UK, commented: ‘It is remarkable just how the target application segment and only MPS, meanwhile, launches two new said: ‘We were especially pleased to be able quickly the press gets into register and, includes essential functions, without presses at Labelexpo. The EF-packaging to show off Hine Labels new Xeikon 3000 to a wider audience. Visitor numbers on the day THE GALLUS ECS 340were excellent, and many label producers were BILL HIME, particularly excited to see the match we were MD Hine labelsable to show them between digital and ?exo label printing. Digital systems have made huge advances in recent years, and most traditional BACKSTAGE PATRICK server and Michèle Wack, label printers now realize that they need to have records job status owners of 5/7 Etiquettessome digital offering for their markets.’|SEPTEMBER 2009 L&L SEPTEMBER 2009 L&L |SEPTEMBER 2009 L&L |LABELS&LABELINGP12 Andy Thomas reported on P43 James Quirk visited P55 France-based label P75 UK-based converter Hine new press developments during Spanish converters converter 5/7 Etiquette Labels, based in Rotherham, Labelexpo Europe 2009. Gallus Autoadhesivos Argraf and was the frst to implement Yorkshire, held an open house launched the frst narrow web Hermanos Bacigalupe which an automated, JDF-driven event in conjunction with label press to be made on a had installed Domino K-Series workfow jointly developed Punch Graphix UK, featuring QUALITY BUILT SERVICE DRIVENgranite platform. The digital inkjet printers to meet new by EskoArtwork and Cerm. the UK’s frst Xeikon 3000 revolution continued to advance requirements of Spain’s The system made use of an digital label press. James with HP Indigo launching its Regulatory Board of Rioja to ‘intelligent’ JDF connection Quirk attended the event, All Kocher + Beck products are produced to the exacting quality standards mold-breaking WS6000 press, print high quality sequential between EskoArtwork’s which investigated the Xeikon introducing 3300/3000 numbers and enhance the BackStage pre-press system compatibility of digital and that you would expect from one of the World’s leading manufacturers of high range, and EFI bringing the design of wine labels by and Cerm’s labels-specifc traditional fexo printing by Jetrion 4000 to the Labelexpo incorporating a high-resolution management information producing identical print precision cutting tools and units for the printing and converting industry. show foor. images and logos. system (MIS). samples from both processes.As one of the few Calling time on Just-in-Time?remaining family run Editor’s notebusinesses of this type, we pride ourselves on our e currently have a means brand owners no longer “It may well be that Just-in-Time “customer frst” approach.perfect storm of hold stock, pushing stock multiple crises holding back to their suppliers, Wwas a product of an era of relative affecting the label industry. As including label converters, who Kocher + Beck is the World this edition of Labels & Labeling in turn push it back onto their stability which has now passed. We market leader in rotary went to press, strikes by forestry suppliers and so on back down need to start planning for present workers in Finland had been the chain. The end result is a die cutting technology further extended, leading UPM lack of resilience in the face of and future shocks”to declare Force Majeure – these kinds of multiple crises. and supplies innovative allowing paper supply contracts We need to have a serious solutions for label printing, to be cancelled. And the strikes of paper for wet-glue and availability of spare parts conversation – which includes had spread to Spain, potentially self-adhesive papers and liners is also affected. The global brand owners – about building envelope manufacture, impacting Lecta’s ability to fulfl threatens to halt supply of shipping log-jam continues back buffer stocks and sharing sheet-fed and reel-to-reel its contracts. critical products across every to delay the delivery of the costs fairly. The effect of the strikes end use sector from pharma to sub-components and import/ It may well be that offset printing.has been exacerbated by e-commerce, to food and drink. exports of raw materials critical Just-in-Time was a product of the outbreak of confict in The critical paper for manufacturing. an era of relative stability which TOOLING TECHNOLOGY PRINTING TECHNOLOGYUkraine, cutting off alternative shortage comes on top of a Meanwhile rapidly rising has now passed. We need to sources of wood pulp for long-running global shortage fuel prices, driven by the start planning for present and paper processing. of computer chips. interruption of Russian energy future shocks.This comes at a time of This has already impacted supplies, is increasing the cost tightening paper supply globally, the production of cutting-edge of energy and truck journeys.with China, for example, having label printing and converting These concurrent crises less export capacity due to equipment, which relies have exposed the vulnerability strong growth as the country increasingly on highly complex of a label supply chain built recovers from the worst effects control and network systems. around Just-in-Time delivery of the Covid pandemic. Lead times for new label and production. James Quirkwww.kocher-beck.comThe looming shortage presses has increased and Just-in-Time production Group managing editor sales@kocher-beck.co.ukJan - Mar 2022