North Print & Pack to reflect growth in package printing

The extension of the established Northprint event to embrace printed packaging – leading to its rebranding as North Print & Pack 2013 – demonstrates how far the print sector is turning its attentions to packaging as a strand in its success strategy, according to the event's organizing team.

 

North Print & Pack 2013, to run from May 14-16 at the Harrogate International Centre, will see printed packaging given equal billing with other, more mainstream litho and digital print applications.

 

Print & Pack 2013, said the rationale for expanding the event was clear for organizer Informa back in 2011, with many exhibitors were showing print-on- packaging applications. Visitor research confirmed that a significant percentage of show-goers were looking at packaging.

 

That 2011 visitor research was backed up by recent in-depth research commissioned by Informa, which reinforced the growing significance of packaging and labeling. The research cites Pira International, which predicts packaging will be the only print product segment to grow to 2014.

 

The same survey suggests that printers are expecting packaging to contribute more to sales in the coming years than ever before. Printers with a foothold in packaging already see it gaining ground compared with other applications; the rest are keen to get in on this profitable action.

 

The rapid evolution of digital print technology is a driving force, supporting brand owners’ appetites for greater packaging on demand, and further individualization. Informa’s research showed that 82 percent of print service providers (PSPs) operating digital equipment and delivering packaging products expect digital print for packaging to become more important to their business.

 

‘That said, the focus on packaging at North Print & Pack 2013 is by no means purely digital,’ says Buck (pictured, left). ‘Mindful of the absence of a flexo show in the UK since 2005, Informa also set out to deliver a must-attend event for UK flexo printers.

 

‘Judging by the floor plan, it’ll be time well spent: the narrow web world is represented by exhibitors including AB Graphic, Alphasonics, Domino Printing Sciences UK, Edale, Flexo Wash (UK), Flint Group, GEW, Herma UK, ISG, K2 International, Nilpeter, RotoMetrics, Sandon Global, Teknek and Xeikon.

 

‘And the packaging community has given the event its full support, with industry bodies EFIA, The Packaging Society and The Institute of Packaging Professionals all contributing insights to make the show relevant to packaging professionals.’

 

Visitors to North Print & Pack 2013 will also experience a big focus on educational content. Three theaters will host sessions designed to develop technical and business skills, at no cost. For packaging printers and SME commercial printers interested in packaging, the Thinking Outside the Box program of presentations covers various topics of interest. Content for this theater has been devised in collaboration with the European Flexographic Industry Association (EFIA), whose chairman David Galton will kick proceedings off with a look at the significance of product packaging in driving purchasing and consumption.

 

Subsequent sessions on Tuesday 14 include: “Packaging as advertising – communicating in new ways with the customers”; “The importance of investing in people before technology”; "The latest value-added package techniques”; and “Latest trends of packaging in a digital world – maximising the on- and off-line experience”. Dick Searle, chief executive of The Packaging Federation, will close with a presentation on the organisation’s Myth Busters campaign.

 

Morning sessions on May 15 will include an exploration of packaging's usability and finding better ways to package products, while the afternoon sessions, hosted by the Institute of Packaging Professionals (IoPP) UK, will cover a series of stand-out packaging case studies from high-profile brands.

 

Thursday May 16 will begin with a session from IoPP UK managing director Kevin Vyse on “Responding to increasing demands for design accountability”, followed by Jane Bickerstaff, director of INCPEN, considering whether innovation is being stifled by the pressures of cost reduction, recycling and waste management. The lunchtime presentation from Bobst will address “Fitting into the customer’s business plan”.

 

Delegates can then look at the case for more sustainable practices with “Can you measure the ROI for going green?”.

 

The Packaging Theatre will also play host to the S’print speed networking event, where attendees get five minutes per contact to exchange details and expertise.

 

Package Print Worldwide is a media partner of North Print & Pack 2013. Preregister to attend North Print & Pack 2013 at www.printandpack.co.uk

 

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