Package printing in focus at Labelexpo Americas 2016

As more and more printers have looked to package printing as a way to increase their offering and add new revenue streams to their business, so suppliers and vendors serving them have added products and capabilities to satisfy this demand.

The majority of press suppliers, from conventional flexo and offset manufacturers like Nilpeter and Omet to digital-only specialists HP Indigo and Xeikon, now have narrow and mid web presses capable of handling unsupported filmic materials and lightweight cartons. Around them is an entire ecosystem specifically to address the needs of label printers moving into package printing. Esko continues to evolve its software and services; Synthogra supplies small volumes of material for short runs; Michelman has a growing portfolio of in-line and off-line primers for digital label and package printing; DuPont and Flexo Concepts provide important ancillary components of the package printing process; as does Flint Group which, along with the likes of Collins Inkjet, also develops food-safe inks; American Ultraviolet brings UV and LED curing to the table; Tresu has a growing array of in-line finishing options for digital carton production; Karlville has developed a laminator as part of HP Indigo’s Pack Ready ecosystem; and DCM Usimeca has a variety of finishing equipment for label, flexible packaging and tobacco packaging converting.

Some of these companies are established suppliers for package printing, some are young and hungry. All are looking to drive the market forward and move it in new directions. And all, plus many more with an interest in flexible packaging and folding cartons, are exhibiting at Labelexpo Americas 2016.

Tasha Ventimiglia, event director for Labelexpo Americas, says the show’s focus on package printing mirrors the experience of many visitors. ‘We’ve seen from our other shows, such as Labelexpo Europe, how increasingly important having a digital and a package printing capacity has become for label producers, so this year’s show really reflects that move with its exhibitor profile and educational content,’ she states.

Conference content

Supporting the exhibition is an extensive conference and education program that will see key topics in the production of printed packaging addressed.

Package printing will be a component of most sessions across the conference program, such as in the CEO panel discussion, which features John Attayek of Inovar Packaging Group, and in the smart and interactive products sessions, where Constantia Flexibles, Inland and Thinfilm feature.

A dedicated package printing stream on day two of the conference provides more focused coverage. A panel discussion will cover the topic of flexible and folding carton printing as a whole, looking at the key market drivers and new applications, functional material development and testing, and emerging print processes such as UV inkjet for digital sheet-fed printing. Before that, Mark Andy and a printer customer will speak about label printers and their move into flexible packaging, addressing points such as single sourcing and print consistency, and the benefits of an integrated workflow for label and package printing. Also part of the stream is Landor Associates and a leading design company, who will look at adopting new printing techniques to revolutionize design and branding in the context of packaging, including substrate selection and value addition.

Label Academy master classes and workshops will further touch on package printing and converting. The digital printing master class session on day two will be led by Mike Fairley and look at the different presses, materials and finishing options available, as well as the key considerations when  running a digital printing operation. Shrink Sleeve Workshop, also on September 14, will present an update on technologies, markets and applications for this growing segment, while AIMCAL’s CEMA division presents two technical seminars recommended for anyone involved in coating and drying or slitting and rewinding operations of paper, film, nonwovens, and other continuous flexible materials.

This article appeared in L&L issue 4, 2016, as part of the publication’s preview of Labelexpo Americas 2016; the full preview can be read online here