Client news

Using EskoArtwork tools, corrugated designers garner top rankings in a race to the finish

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 15:48:55 -0500

At the Association of Independent Corrugated Converter’s Design Lab contest, prototypes are created and constructed in 24 hours

Miamisburg, OH (USA), November 2011 – Teams of corrugated packaging designers faced off last month during the 2011 Association of Independent Corrugated Converters’ biennial Designer’s Lab, where they had to construct a fully functional, eye-catching POP display within a 24-hour period. All of this year’s winning entries used EskoArtwork ArtiosCAD software and Kongsberg XP 24 digital finishing tables to meet the fast and furious deadline, while conforming to specific parameters.
The biennial Designers’ Lab and Independent Packaging Design Summit was held in connection with AICC’s annual meeting October 26-28, 2011 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Summit, explains Jim Nelson of the Great Lakes Packaging Company and the Chairman of the AICC Packaging Design Competition Committee, brings together designers from independent companies to network and share knowledge and experiences; provides an educational platform for designers to learn new techniques in both structural and graphic design from industry experts; and gives vendors the opportunity to provide hands-on experience with their tools.
AICC, which represents a majority of the independent corrugated packaging manufacturers and their suppliers, schedules the Designer’s Lab and Summit every two years.
EskoArtwork co-sponsored the 2011 Designer Lab contest, which divided 25 designers from different companies into six teams; each team had a choice of CAD design station and cutting table along with a digital printer.
The teams were required to follow specific parameters and objectives presented by a “customer”—in this instance, the Sweet Candy Company of Salt Lake City, one of the oldest family-owned and operated candy companies in the U.S. With Richard Kay, president of Sweet Candy Company, dispensing the guidelines and a company logo, the teams were off and running. Each display had to withstand 500 lbs of taffy on one 40x48 standard pallet, have racks for bags and scoops, and ship assembled and loaded with 3-lb. taffy bags.
“Judges worked from the criteria sheet from Sweet Candy,” says Nelson. “The test was based more on criteria and following the parameters than design. It had to be functional and work.”
It was a race to the finish, as the six teams worked to construct a prototype that would typically take a few weeks to complete. The first, second and third place winners, along with the two teams receiving honorable mention, all relied on EskoArtwork’s ArtiosCAD structural design software and Kongsberg tables to create their prototypes. Some teams, including the first-place winner, also used EskoArtwork Studio to help assist the graphics design process in Adobe® Illustrator®.
“The criteria was introduced late Wednesday afternoon, giving us 1-2 hours to work that day,” explains Chris Butterfield, Design Department Manager for Capital Corrugated & Carton, one of the first place team members, along with Dave Lamb, Mid-Atlantic Packaging, John Madlock, Utah Paperbox and Yuttanna Chiaravalloti, Orange County Container Group. “We then came back Thursday, and worked from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm, brainstorming ideas and quickly coming to a consensus. The ease of tools in ArtiosCAD let us pull it off.”
Key to the team’s success, which not only met the design parameters but also displayed high graphic appeal, was ArtiosCAD’s ease of use, custom tools and style library — which includes POP display standards and parametric design tools, along with its ability to render prototypes in 3D, ensuring the display would fold up correctly. Graphics were created in Adobe ® Illustrator ® and then applied to the structure via EskoArtwork’s Studio software, which helps designers visualize artwork in 3D. Ultimately, two files were output; a structural file that was sent to the Kongsberg table for digital finishing and a PDF with the graphics that was delivered to a digital printer.
The Kongsberg machine’s ability to deliver rapid-fire turnarounds and cut at maximum speed through a broad range of substrates, as well as its scope of quick creasing, cutting and crushing tools, was critical in helping the teams’ meet the deadline.
“After listening to the objectives and the speakers, the designers have to try and incorporate what they learned,” says Nelson. “The Lab allows them to work with designers from other companies with different knowledge, views and skill sets than their own. One designer with 20 years’ experience might work with another with less than two years on the job. The more experienced designer brings years of working knowledge to the table, but the younger one might be more technically savvy. The whole point is that there is a crossover of different ideas from designers with varied backgrounds, and they learn from each other. They work as a team to develop ideas, and get a lot of satisfaction from knowing that they worked well as a team.”

About AICC
The Association of Independent Corrugated Converters’ represents a majority of the independent corrugated packaging manufacturers and their suppliers We are dedicated to strengthening the independent's position in the marketplace through programs and publications that empower our members to compete successfully in a rapidly changing industry and an increasingly competitive and global business environment.

EskoArtwork offers print providers a clear choice of packaging, sign & display and commercial print applications, at Graphics Canada 2011

Fri, 4 Nov 2011 15:47:45 -0400

First EskoArtwork booth (#3906) at Print Canada offers new ways to work on print projects — and to look at print businesses

Miamisburg, OH (USA), November 2011 – At Graphics Canada 2011, booth #3906, EskoArtwork will demonstrate its extensive range of innovative solutions for packaging, sign & display, and commercial print providers.
Visitors to the show will benefit from a visit to the EskoArtwork booth, where the company will display its end-to-end workflow solutions, showcasing its Suite 10 portfolio of print and packaging pre-production software, featuring Studio, a unique set of tools for 3D packaging design made specifically for packaging artwork professionals. For sign and display shops, EskoArtwork will highlight i-cut Suite, a collection of pre-production solutions that streamline the workflow for digital printing and finishing throughout the entire production process.
Graphics Canada, held November 10-12, 2011 at the Toronto International Center, is Canada's largest and longest running showcase for the graphic arts and printing industry, ranked 13th largest trade show of any kind in Canada. With 250 exhibitors representing over 500 companies and held in 4 exhibit halls at the Toronto International Centre, the event provides an unique opportunity to inspire, influence, entice and persuade the largest gathering of graphic arts and print buyers in Canada — more than 12,000.
“This is the first time that EskoArtwork has exhibited at Graphics Canada with its own booth. Over the past couple of years, EskoArtwork has made a specific effort to make its presence known in Canada, offering print providers throughout the country easy access to our products and expertise,” explains Marc Raad, EskoArtwork Account Manager, Canada. “We look forward to showing visitors to Graphics Canada our extensive range of software solutions and answering all their questions on how to achieve the best possible results from their prepress production.”
Suite 10: Complete prepress solution
Automation is becoming an extremely important determinant of print provider profitability. Automation could be adding simple trapping programs to the prepress department, introducing advanced, 3D design software, or building full-fledged, sophisticated prepress production automation.
EskoArtwork’s Suite 10 is a software solution for packaging prepress, 3D structural design and quality assurance, collaboration and automation, and color management. Visitors can follow demonstrations of Automation Engine 10 and editor applications: ArtPro 10, PackEdge 10, DeskPack 10, ArtiosCAD 10 and Studio 10. Automation Engine 10 adds capabilities to the automation of repetitive tasks and takes more human interaction out of prepress production.
EskoArtwork Studio: creating artwork in 3D
Rather than working on 2D flats, designers can create projects in 3D — designing with finished lines, adding graphics, and wrapping them around to see how they fit. Graphics can be designed on 3D materials using EskoArtwork Studio and Visualizer, plug-ins for Adobe ® Illustrator ® that put interactive 3D display creation in the hands of the designer, letting them see their artwork applied instantly on the screen. Studio also allows designers to create exciting 3D visuals to show to their clients, ranging from PDF files with 3D content, to movies, or virtual pack shots. Visualizer adds the finishing touch, showing a wide range of substrates, printing and finishing effects in real-time.
One of Studio’s featured options is EskoArtwork’s Studio Toolkit for Shrink Sleeves, the recipient of a 2011 Printing Industries of America InterTech™ Technology Award. Studio Toolkit for Shrink Sleeves creates artwork for shrink sleeves (labels placed around a package or packages and shrunk around them during production).
i-cut Suite production software for digital printing and finishing, featuring new i-cut Automate
In the business of signs and displays, creativity generally breeds opportunities for more, higher-margin jobs. Typically, print providers who offer only two-dimensional displays can be caught bidding on projects that are more and more commoditized. The ‘winner’ is caught working on marginally profitable projects. Three-dimensional projects offer an entirely new world of possibilities for print buyers, and help the print provider to differentiate himself on creativity.
i-cut Suite is a collection of pre-production software for users of digital printers and/or digital finishing systems. The different modules of i-cut Suite provide sign and display companies extraordinary efficiency and productivity, regardless of the type, source and variety of incoming job information. i-cut Suite tackles all bottlenecks in a workflow, from preflighting PDF files, preparing graphics, creating layouts, to printing, and finishing in perfect registration.
New, and demonstrated for the first time in Canada, is i-cut Automate, built on EskoArtwork's highly successful Automation Engine. i-cut Automate ties the pieces of the i-cut Suite together, automating the entire production process from design to print to cut. Users can build dynamic workflows that will automate repetitive prepress tasks, thereby enhancing productivity, reducing operator intervention and errors, and saving valuable time, money and materials in the production process.
Clear choices at partner booths
A number of influential printing industry partners will be participating with EskoArtwork, showing hardware and software solutions for a diverse range of print applications, featuring the Kongsberg i-XL 24 finishing table and i-cut Suite software.
* Access imaging, booth 3535
* Ernest Green & Son, booth 1270
* Fujifilm Canada, booth 1200
The Kongsberg i-XL 24, the workhorse of the product line, offers a comprehensive finishing solution for the widest range of materials, providing automation, high productivity and outstanding precision. The i-XL family, with a maximum material size of 87” x 120”, can also be delivered with an optional conveyor extension, along with the Auto-Feeder and scissor-lift system.
“We look forward to showing print providers at Graphics Canada how they can produce work more efficiently, while finding new, profitable services to offer,” concludes Raad. “Our customer base is growing because we offer a wide range of ways to help redefine and grow their businesses.”

EskoArtwork recognized for generous technology donation to Michigan State University’s School of Packaging

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 15:46:26 -0400

Package development and design software used across multiple curriculums and in the research labs
Miamisburg, OH (USA), October 2011 – EskoArtwork, in acknowledgement of its generous donation to Michigan State University’s School of Packaging (SoP), proudly announces it has received recognition into The Frank S. Kedzie Society, one of the university’s most prestigious donor recognition groups. Named for the eighth president of MSU, the Kedzie Society is given to individuals, corporations, or foundations that bestow a significant donation to the school.

The gift that keeps on giving
During the summer of 2011, EskoArtwork donated 30 seats of ArtiosCAD, Visualizer, and Studio. A long-time supporter of MSU, this most recent gift of state-of-the-art package development and design software complements an earlier donation of ArtiosCAD software to accompany a Kongsberg digital finishing table the school owned.
EskoArtwork was publicly recognized for its donation during an MSU Consumer Packaged Goods Packaging Design Seminar, held on October 13. Dr. Frank Fear, Sr. Associate Dean, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, which houses the School of Packaging, and Dr. Doug Estry, Associate Provost, presented a cut crystal memento to Susie Stitzel, EskoArtwork Solution Manager. Stitzel also took part in the day’s seminar program featuring experts from the CPG industry.
“EskoArtwork is honored to receive this award, which celebrates our commitment to both Michigan State University as well as our commitment to education within the packaging industry,” says Ms. Stitzel. “We see this as a win-win for all parties involved. MSU students benefit from using the most advanced packaging design and production software available, industry benefits by having tomorrow’s workforce skilled in using the leading and up-to-date technology on the market, and EskoArtwork benefits from having future industry personnel familiar with the assets of our software.”

A leader and pioneer in packaging education
Michigan State University’s School of Packaging is renowned in the industry, with more than half of all graduates of packaging programs employed in the U.S. coming from MSU’s School of Packaging. Established in 1952 (first as a discipline within the MSU Department of Forest Products then, in 1957, as an independent school), the School of Packaging is a leader in teaching, research and outreach focused on packaging containers, materials, functionality and improvement. The school has a significant track record of providing high quality undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, in addition to conducting research that advances the science and technology of packaging. The School of Packaging currently houses approximately 550 undergraduate and 100 graduate students. As of 2011, SoP has conferred more than 7,000 academic degrees in the field.
“As a leader in packaging education, The School of Packaging at MSU strives to provide undergraduate and graduate education and research to serve students, employers, the packaging discipline and the community as a whole,” says Dennis Young, Specialist, School of Packaging. “The EskoArtwork gift is a significant contribution to these efforts. The software is now part of three courses, and is used by students for projects in other courses as well. The integrated system is also being used in several research projects to push the limits of our understanding and knowledge about packaging. The School sees this as a continuing and expanding application area supporting innovative and responsible packaging development.”
ArtiosCAD, used for the design of corrugated containers and specialty cartons, features 3D design and animation components that allow MSU students to see a virtual prototype on a computer screen prior to finishing on a Kongsberg cutting table. With EskoArtwork Studio, a plug-in for Adobe® Illustrator®, a 3D rendering of the package is easily accessible also right on the screen, giving students the ability to design graphics in 3D rather than from a two-dimensional flat. The software suite, which helps students apply creative and innovative solutions in the production of corrugated and paperboard products, is used in conjunction with the Kongsberg digital finishing table, a large format printer and a cold lamination system.
Examples of how EskoArtwork software and equipment are being used include:
* In Packaging Decision Systems, second and third-year students use EskoArtwork software to design and solve problems relating to production of packaging systems.
* In Packaging with Paper and Paperboard, second and third year level students use ArtiosCAD to create a sample package, which is cut, with digital technology, on a Kongsberg table.
* In Package Development Technology, EskoArtwork software and equipment form the foundation of this new offering, which focuses on development of consumer packaging using current technology tools. Using ArtiosCAD and Studio, students will learn how to integrate package structure, graphics and performance.
“The gift software is central to an expanding emphasis on Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) package design, as well as supporting the School of Packaging's focus on transportation packaging and sustainability,” says Young. “This semester (fall 2011) we have used this capability in a joint collaboration project between a class of packaging students and a class of Studio Design students, demonstrating the cooperation between structural and graphics design to achieve planned objectives.”
Beyond the classroom
Installed in a University Microcomputer Lab in the Packaging Building, EskoArtwork technology is also used in additional classes as well as offering support for research projects both within and outside the School of Packaging. Students in a class on medical packaging, for example, which focuses on special requirements for packaging pharmaceuticals and medical devices, used ArtiosCAD and the Kongsberg table to support research on how a particular medical package worked. Requiring a carton that would fit a plastic tray to be accurately produced and designed, students used ArtiosCAD to design the project and the Kongsberg table to cut a sample.
EskoArtwork technology functions as a resource for SoP’s research programs, which cuts a swath in a broad number of areas relating to packaging, including bio-based polymers, nanocomposites, radio frequency identification, automotive packaging, pharmaceutical packaging and packaging and solutions for food quality and safety
The School of Packaging’s Center for Packaging Innovation and Sustainability will also make use of the donation. One of the challenges facing the Center, which aims to be a global leader in research and outreach related to packaging innovation and sustainable systems, is exploring which specific principles should be considered when designing new, sustainable packages. ArtiosCAD, Studio and the Kongsberg table will support the efforts of those involved in examining this issue.
“EskoArtwork’s donation is a resource available for people outside the packaging department; anything that gets done around here may require a carton or a box structure,” notes Young. “A student involved in MSU’s nutrition science program, for example, might have a packaging challenge that they need addressed as part of their capstone research project. The student will be able to use ArtiosCAD to design the structure and cut out a sample on the Kongsberg table.
EskoArtwork also supports MSU with its involvement in seminar programs. On October 13, in addition to receiving the Kedzie memento, EskoArtwork’s Susie Stitzel joined Dr. Mike Richmond, PTIS Global; Dr. Vicki VanHurley, Femme Phatale and John Silva, President, Creative Director, The DuPuis Group, as part of MSU’s expert panel on Consumer Packaged Goods.
At the seminar, which was open to students and faculty from the School of Packaging and other Colleges within MSU, as well as packaging professionals and attendees from the general MSU community, Stitzel spoke to Package Development Opportunities: Embracing Holistic Thinking in Packaging. Her discussion included an overview of the packaging market, as well as a 360-degree look at packaging—how it fits into the supply chain, how well it meets regulatory requirements, its ability to attract consumers, and its sustainability.
“EskoArtwork is committed to furthering education,” says Stitzel. “In North America, there are more than 50 schools and universities where EskoArtwork software and hardware is installed. Our latest investment will help highlight the opportunities and challenges within the packaging arena, as well as demonstrate the importance of design and production in the packaging process.”
About Michigan State University’s School of Packaging (http://packaging.msu.edu/)
For more than 50 years Michigan State University has been a leader in teaching, research and outreach focused on packaging containers, materials, their functionality and improvement. Established in 1952 (first as a discipline within the MSU Department of Forest Products, then, in 1957, as an independent school), the MSU School of Packaging (SoP) is the pioneer and leader in its field. As the first program of its kind, the SoP has a substantial track record of providing high quality undergraduate, graduate and continuing education and conducting research that advances the science and technology of packaging. Key to the future success of the MSU School of Packaging is an overriding commitment to innovation, sustainability and stewardship.

Structural designers share data and improve workflow processes with ArtiosCAD Enterprise.

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 15:43:59 -0400

The ArtiosCAD Enterprise enabled “private cloud” provides a collaborative environment that combines data integrity and security with web-based data storage and more.

Gent (Belgium), October 2011 – EskoArtwork (www.esko.com) recently introduced ArtiosCAD Enterprise, a new release of the world’s most popular structural packaging design software, and customers are already reporting internal cost savings from using the product. With the new release carton converters set up their own private cloud to deploy a process-driven workflow, connecting all stakeholders in a project. All assets are centralized in a corporate private cloud, a secure web-accessible database enabling dynamic on-line collaboration between design groups, CAD and graphic designers, suppliers, brand owners and production. Easy to use on-line dashboards deliver users and management real-time feedback on project status, task lists and other parameters.
Cloud Concepts
The paperboard packaging industry, the majority of the ArtiosCAD installed base, has always followed their brand owner customers to provide packaging services at the location where the consumer product is manufactured. This has led to a landscape with large conglomerations of players with multiple geographically spread production plants. So far, structural design operations in these plants have been operated as disconnected silo’s, but those times are now over.
ArtiosCAD Enterprise was introduced in April, 2011 and has since then been installed in sites across Europe and the US. Customer feedback has been overwhelmingly positive with packaging converters reporting major improvements in their workflow processes. wellcarton Verpackungen und Displays, a leading German carton packaging specialist, recently rolled out a private cloud using ArtiosCAD Enterprise and was particularly impressed with the efficiency gains it has already achieved.
“We installed ArtiosCAD Enterprise just a few months ago,” says Herr Gernot Thiele, Director of Creative Services at wellcarton. “The Esko team did a brilliant job getting the software installed, deployed and making sure that our whole Creative Center team was well trained. They’re now working live with the product, creating more than 10 projects per day and are all extremely happy with the software” explains Gernot. “But what’s really amazing is that with the new workflow in place, it only takes one-fourth of the time compared to before. That’s a whopping 60% saving in time, which is really significant. The next project we have kicked off is to integrate ArtiosCAD Enterprise with our Order to Cash system which will allow us to recognize even further business process efficiencies and savings for our company.”
Technology behind the Cloud
ArtiosCAD Enterprise is built on two reliable and field proven software applications: ArtiosCAD and WebCenter. WebCenter is the EskoArtwork web-based communication platform that is fast becoming the standard for web-based collaboration and approval in the packaging industry with over 400 installations and 40,000 users worldwide.
With ArtiosCAD Enterprise all valuable corporate assets that you need to access, such as common board tables, customer lists, projects, CAD files, specs, bills of materials and forms are at your fingertips and shared between all users, no matter to which production plant they report. This cloud-based solution means all data is centralized in a common, secure, web-accessible database making it mobile, transferable and instantly accessible. Users can access data directly through the ArtiosCAD client or via a web browser. ArtiosCAD Enterprise will assure the common database in the cloud is always the latest, most immediate data while at the same time synchronizing a user-level cache to insure optimal performance and accessibility. All this is deployed under most stringent data security measures to make sure all valuable corporate assets remain private and secure.
A Cloud of Benefits
With one central repository shared by all users, designers collaborate more easily and search for existing designs without duplicating efforts. All players in the supply chain — structural designers, graphic designers, suppliers, brand owners and production managers — share the common, centralized database ensuring much stronger, more dynamic collaboration across the whole supply chain.
“ArtiosCAD Enterprise makes collaboration with clients and suppliers straightforward,” explains Richard Deroo, EskoArtwork Product Manager, Structural Design. “For example, a converter who needs a die created by an outside vendor can invite the diemaker to the project to access the most recent version of the file — rather than sending an email document with a file attachment. This eliminates any risk of a die being created from the wrong version of a CAD file.”
A Scalable Cloud
ArtiosCAD Enterprise is a scalable solution that meets the needs of both single-plant and multi-plant enterprise users. Deroo explains: “Single location users will increase their productivity with a process-driven workflow, reducing the number of data entry points. Larger global accounts will benefit from the online, secure, central database that allows for instant access to corporate design assets from any location. Thus companies with plants in multiple locations can centralize files and collaborate on projects and structural designs. They can import work from other projects and adapt them to their own specific jobs.”
Standardization
By enabling all ArtiosCAD users in a corporation to access the database via the private cloud, corporate standards are developed and shared across all locations and users, resulting in common workflow practices across multiple plants.
Controlled Access and Security
Security and privileges to the database are protected by a user login, ensuring that all projects, files and database information are fully protected. User access is controlled and permissions are granted based on need. As this is truly a private cloud, the customer determines access rights for any outside user, eg. clients or suppliers. This is done at user or file level within a project.
Simplifying IT support
With only one single database to administer and maintain, IT support is simplified. Unlike other systems, where IT departments are responsible for managing replicated databases at every location, ArtiosCAD Enterprise reduces the risk of ‘data collision’, should the on-site databases be out of synch with the master database.

THE XAAR 1001 PRINTHEAD DOMINATES DIGITAL INKJET AT LABELEXPO 2011

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 15:57:43 -0400

Cambridge, 24th October 2011 – The Xaar 1001 is the printhead of choice for leading label printer manufacturers, as confirmed by the record number of Labelexpo exhibitors demonstrating the printhead’s unrivalled reliability. Around 30 per cent of this year’s show focused on the versatility offered by digital technology, with many Xaar 1001-enabled digital label printers showing off substantial quality, flexibility and performance advantages. ALS Engineering, Atlantic Zeiser, Durst, EFI, INX/Spartanics, Nilpeter and Stork Prints demonstrated a range of stand-alone and modular machines offering a choice of four to eight colors plus varnish, variable widths and speeds, as well as in-line finishing options.
In addition, Integration Technology used the Xaar 1001 to demonstrate its latest UV LED cure ink techniques for label applications.
“There was a real buzz around digital inkjet printers at this year’s show, and it was impressive to see the continuous output from Xaar 1001-enabled printers,” says Mark Alexander, Director of Marketing, Xaar. “Inkjet technology is now firmly embedded within the label sector. Many companies demonstrated significant printer enhancements, particularly by adding more color options, more functionality and all-round improved performance. It was also great to see the EFI Jetrion being presented strongly against the toner-based solutions in the Xaar-sponsored Digital Print Workshop.”
The piezoelectric, drop-on-demand Xaar 1001 features unique TF Technology™ to deliver unrivalled reliability, an important criterion for printer manufacturers and their customers. “We aim at the high-end label sector and are well known for our high quality and reliable products,” says Søren Ringbo, Manager Digital Products, Nilpeter. “Our choice of the Xaar 1001 printhead for the CASLON is obvious therefore. In our opinion it is the only inkjet printhead on the market that supports our requirements for true industrial digital label printing."
The Xaar 1001 handles a wide range of fluid viscosities easily, including white ink and varnishes, to print directly onto standard and custom label stocks. The range of applications using the printhead at Labelexpo demonstrated its considerable versatility:
ALS Engineering showed the 33 cm-width, single-pass, four-color ecojet digital printer featuring a unique application for pharmaceutical labeling. The printer uses Xaar 1001 printheads to produce a perceived resolution of 1000 dpi, whilst Xaar’s TF Technology™ guarantees reliable and continuous production. Optional widths and additional print stations for white or special colors are available.

Atlantic Zeiser demonstrated its drop-on-demand UV inkjet printing technology in security and commercial label printing with the innovative GAMMA™ 70 P print engine. The company has chosen Xaar 1001 printheads for their reliable performance due to TF Technology™, especially when handling heavily-pigmented UV inks (including white). In addition, high print quality is ensured with the greyscale Xaar 1001. The GAMMA delivers exceptional ink adhesion, even on challenging porous and non-porous substrates, including plastics and films, metallic foils, cardboard and paper. The machine also enables users to bring complex production in-house and produce full-color variable labels. This single-pass UV solution can be integrated in-line with sheet-fed, web or single-product systems. The company plans to introduce wider format 140 and 210 mm machines featuring Xaar printheads in 2012.

Durst showed three Xaar-enabled printers at the show. Two single-pass Tau 150 Digital UV Inkjet Label Presses: one with eight colors (using 32 Xaar 1001 printheads) and the other with five colors (using 20 Xaar 1001 printheads). The Tau 150 guarantees maximum reliability and production efficiency, handling short-run jobs from a few hundred labels up to more than 40,000 labels economically, turning unprofitable short-run jobs on conventional presses into profitable print jobs. The Rotoworx VDP-Module HS, featuring 10 Xaar 1001 printheads, was also in action producing variable data in-line on labels printed by the Tau.

EFI launched the Jetrion 4900 at the show. This CMYK+W UV inkjet digital printing system combines high-quality 229 mm-width digital printing using 15 Xaar 1001 printheads with in-line laser finishing. The new system makes short-run digital label jobs even more efficient and profitable by not only eliminating plates and dies, but also the set-up time, substrate waste and inventory requirements associated with the traditional label finishing process. It produces eye-catching, durable labels on an array of substrates. The press is ideal for label converters looking to transfer high-cost, short- and medium-run jobs to digital systems, from print file straight through to finished roll.

INX/Spartanics hosted the European debut of the INX NW140 UV digital narrow web press. This press delivers single-pass color printing at speeds up to 24.4m/min and uses 14 Xaar 1001 printheads, which are essential to print 140mm wide on any label stock. This is achieved by applying a proprietary pre-coat before printing a white base layer and CMYK, followed by a varnish coat. LED curing lamps are used for ‘pinning’ the pre-coat, white base layer and varnish to hold the inkjet drops in position before a full cure and laser cutting. ?

Nilpeter demonstrated a complete modular CASLON press that combines conventional printing and converting with high-quality single-pass UV-curable CMYK inkjet printing using 20 Xaar 1001 printheads (an optional 24-printhead version is also available). The CASLON print system is mounted on a standard Nilpeter FA?-platform. The system can be configured as a "stand-alone" digital print engine, or incorporated as a module within a given FA-configuration.

Stork Prints demonstrated the Stork Prints DSI® narrow web UV inkjet printer achieving 1000 dpi resolution. With a productivity of up to 720 m2/hr, the DSI offers fast changeover times and handles all popular paper and film label substrates. This printer features a maximum of 10 printhead arrays, each with five Xaar 1001 printheads. The greyscale Xaar 1001 inkjet printheads, together with the large color gamut and high color strength, result in a unique printing quality for images, fine details, smooth tonal values, 3D effects and small type.
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