Second annual packaging & label conference

The Second PLGA Conference opened with a brief address by Dick Chesnut who predicted that after the millennium, because of rapid technological developments, two printing methods will begin to emerge and dominate the packaging and label field – digital printing and gravure, or a form of gravure. The two processes have similarities because of their digital nature from artwork to finished print and basic simplicity.

Several presentations were made by package and label printers, recognized leaders in their product/market sectors, outlining their accomplishments as well as their views on the ‘perception’ problem that gravure has in the industry. Other sessions covered new press technology, prepress technology as well as advancements in inks and substrates.

The open format type of meeting generated numerous exchanges between presenters, panellists and floor delegates on topics such as misconceptions by the package/label user about the process and the continued need for gravure to innovate lower cost systems. The conference was attended by a broad cross section of the industry, ranging from wide web printers to smaller narrow web firms. There were also several delegates who use competing processes and who attended the conference because they are considering adding gravure to their printing capability.

The delegates suggested that future PLGA conferences continue to provide speakers who help clarify the issues creating misconceptions about gravure, highlight to advances in gravure technology that continues to make it the bench mark packaging/label printing process and perhaps even add speakers from other printing disciplines.

Another highlight was a presentation of plaques to each of the original twenty-two founding members of PLGA. Following this, new officers were elected including David Spence of Graphic Packaging as president, followed by a list of six directors and Bill Klein as the executive director for March 2000 also in Florida.

Digital Printing’s Impact on the Modern Printing Industry

If you've ever used one of the old dot matrix printers with rows of holes to feed the ream of paper and dealt with the constant paper jams, then you have an idea of just how far technology has come in the printing industry.  Long gone are the days of slightly fuzzy text and faded grey images.  Today’s printing process has gone digital, and the benefit clearly shows.  From the strikingly clear images to the brilliance of the colors, digital printing displays everything on your company’s marketing material, stationery, business cards and more with as much detail as a photograph.  And the best part?  Digital printing has revolutionized the printing industry to make it possible for any company, whether it has 10 employees or 10,000, to show the same level of quality as much larger corporations with every piece of printed media, and it can be accomplished both quickly and inexpensively!

Still not clear on the difference between digital printing and making color copies at the local 24-hour shop?  The main difference is quality, which is best explained by how digital printing actually works.  Digital printing is actually a bit of a misnomer, as the process doesn’t apply as much to the printing itself as it does to the way the image is transferred to the printing device.  Think of it this way-- with a traditional copy machine (even with the highest quality color copier), when you place a piece of paper through the machine to be copied, the resulting page can only ever be as good as the original in your hand.  That means if you have a slight crease where you held it in your hand or a speck of dust on the copier, it will show up in the results.  With digital printing however, the image, whether it be text or a full color photograph, is taken directly from a computer file and output through the printing device.  The end result will be as good as the original every time because there is never a physical piece of paper being copied.

It seems like with technology this foolproof, everyone would be using it, but that is clearly not the case.  According to ThePrinters.com, a company specializing in digital printing, the printing industry has remained behind the times when it comes to digital printing.  Newer high-speed digital printing devices have been able to produce single and multi color images for over a decade, but less than 5% of printing companies have actually installed these devices.  There are approximately 30,700 printing companies in the United States alone according to the 2006 U.S. Industry & Market Outlook by Barnes Reports so it is difficult to understand how such a large industry can be so slow to embrace new technology. 

Perhaps the amount of time it is taking for the printing industry to catch up with the newest advances is rooted in its long history.  After all, this is a process which has been slowly evolving for centuries.  Woodblock printing was already in use in China by the 6th century, and methods were steadily updated over the years, with the biggest leap forward being made when Johann Gutenberg of Germany invented the printing press in the 1400s.  Of course, the advances did not stop there.  According to Wikipedia, several innovations occurred at the end of the eighteenth century including a new method of using engraving tools, lithography, and relief etchings.  By the early nineteenth century, new types of presses were being made which were far more durable than anything produced up until that time.  Arguably one of the greatest advances, at least for the every day consumer, was when Chester Carlson invented the process called Xerography, or photocopying, in 1937.  His invention is considered the “technological foundation of printing today” according to PrintOnDemand.com.

Advances in digital printing make it the best option for individuals and businesses that are looking for high quality marketing materials at an affordable price, and companies like ThePrinters.com make the technology easy to use.  Incorporating the internet with digital printing seems like a natural step, and this company allows its clients to transmit files via FTP, electronically warehouse various documents, forms, catalogs, etc. with the option to edit the stored data securely online and print on demand the amount of each item needed.  With copies that match the original every time, low cost, and that level of convenience, how can you go wrong with digital printing?

Artwork for Label Printing

If you are just getting involved with label printing or are considering outsourcing your label printing needs to a professional, you have probably already encountered a few industry-specific terms with which you may not be entirely familiar. One such term is “artwork.” Artwork is completely unrelated to your favorite museum pieces and does not necessarily refer to “graphical” elements, either. Let us look at what artwork for label printing is all about.

In the simplest of terms, artwork refers to the layout of a label’s design. That includes factors such as the actual words used (referred to as the “copy”) and any images that might be involved in the design, as well. In essence, the artwork for label printing is the complete “look” of the label, including all of its components. Artwork is finalized prior to the label printing company’s creation of printing plates or negatives.

Depending upon the label printing company with whom you work, artwork may be your responsibility, their responsibility, or a joint effort. In all cases, the label printing firm should provide you with samples, or mock-ups, of your labels before turning the artwork into a final product.

Label printing experts often employee design specialists to help with artwork. In some cases, they will actually create the label’s artwork after a discussion with the client and then submit it to the buyer for approval. In other situations, a bare-bones label printing team may require you to provide finished artwork.

Understanding the vocabulary of label printing is an important way to make sure you get what you want from the printer. Artwork, which refers to the collective whole of your future label, is an expression with which you will need to be familiar.

High speed print & apply

A company has launched a high speed print and apply solution for variable information labelling. The ALX 720 is suited to the print and application of information such as pricing, ladder or picket fence barcodes, stock numbers, batch codes and general promotional labelling. It prints and applies up to 250 labels a minute, depending on label size, and has a label stop accuracy of ± 0.5mm. The system uses the latest thermal transfer, near edge, 300dpi print head technology to produce high resolution output in a choice of 17 fonts, including OCR/A and OCR/B, as well as two scaleable fonts. Digitised drawings and logos can be imported for incorporation in print designs. Applying labels to the top, sides and base of a variety of cartons, containers, packages and products, the ALX 720 prints at speeds of up to 300mm per second and labels at speeds of up to 30 metres/min. The company says that, unlike 1:1 print and apply systems – where label application is limited by print speed – the ALX 720 has a label buffer between the print head and dispensing edge. This, it says, enables greater flexibility and optimum speeds to be achieved at both print and apply stages. The unit features the company’s automatic product speed following technology as standard. This ensures accurate labelling through the continuous monitoring and automatic adjustment of the labelling speed to much product presentation to the labelling edge, says the manufacturer. Print and dispense functions are controlled through individual membrane keypads, located on the front of the cabinet, with system status visible on integral LED displays. The control system incorporates 1 Mb of dynamic RAM memory as standard, with an RS 232 serial interface also included. This enables print data to be generated and controlled from a linked PC, mini or mainframe computer system if required. An optional RS 485 interface is also available.

“C” is for “Creative Catalogs”

A lot have changed in the market over the years – a tough economy, rising prices of goods and customer’s need for high quality products have imposed new demands on businesses. Evidently, the need for helpful, reliable information has never been greater. Catalogs have always been a great source of product information. When people need to buy a product they refer to catalogs to guide them in finding the right product at the right price. But increasing sales does not necessitate creating the perfect catalog. A relatively small improvement in your catalog can already result in a proportionate increase in sales and profits.

So before you print your catalog, make a careful analysis of your old catalog. Pick out the flaws in it and try to improve it. Gather all the letters that you received from your customers and look through their criticisms, suggestions and comments. These may be a big help in designing a better catalog. And as you are designing your catalog think of your customers and the reasons why they would want to buy your product. Think of what they want and what they need and use this in creating a catalog that accomplishes your customer’s desires.

Thus, to create a striking catalog use color combinations that are attractive and pleasing to the eyes. You can use full color in the cover and two colors in the inside. Keep in mind that people respond better and remember longer good-looking catalogs so make your color choices carefully. Likewise, to attract new customers you can add new products and information to the products featured in your catalog. For instance, you can feature bizarre items, include exciting products or include unusual facts about specific items. You can also include information on how to use the product, maintain them and operate them. This information will help your customers significantly and as a result they would keep your catalog for future references. In addition, this would increase customer confidence to your company thereby increasing their inclination to buy.   

If there are products in the old catalog that are unprofitable then perhaps you can promote them more strongly in your new catalog. But if it doesn’t really sell, them you can get rid of them or replace them with new items. You need not place them again in the catalog as they can be a nuisance there.

When you are ready to print your new catalog, make sure that you get the services of an experienced and knowledgeable printer with a reputation for quality and reliability. Your local print shop may be able to do the print job for you but there are also printers online that can do it for low prices, easy ordering and instant price quotes. It is up to you to determine which printing service to avail.

So give your business a distinctive personality and create catalogs that can be a special marketer in the minds of your prospects and customers.