Packaging
LABELEXPO GLOBAL SERIES TO LAUNCH GLOBAL DIGITAL SUMMIT
Monday 07. April 2008 - The organizers of Labelexpo and Label Summits worldwide events this week have announced the launch of the Global Digital Label Summit. The first event will take place on March 23-24, 2009 in Barcelona, Spain.
The Summit’s creation follows the internal assessment of the printing and label industry’s needs and the inundation of requests to Labelexpo organizers to provide a forum where the present and future of the digital processes can be discussed.
Having recognized the fact that the industry is developing to provide new solutions and applications that cannot anymore be answered by conventional printing alone, the Labelexpo Global team aims to bring experts from multiple fields – technology developers, suppliers, printers and end-users – to share their knowledge and achievements at one event. To this end, the Summit is planned to focus on everything that digital processes incorporate, from pre-press to the full scale implementation of the digital workflow. Conception, consulting, creation, workflow management, MIS, media production, CRM, logistics, etc. – all of these go hand in hand when taking full advantage of the digital printing potential.
Taking the lead from other Label Summits, the Global Digital Label Summit will have a strong educational element with a table-top exhibition and conference. The conference will have case studies on digital processes from industry leaders; it will explore new technology and applications for digital printing of labels, tickets/tags and flexible packaging; it will also assess opportunities for combination printing. End-users will be invited to talk about their digital requirements and expectations for the future developments.
The plans for the exhibition side of the event include hosting representatives from a broad range of digital technologies. These will include machine manufacturers of liquid-toner, dry-toner and inkjet technologies as well as material suppliers, pre-press origination, digital plate-making and die-cutting, digital proofing and all ancillary-related products. On the material side, as digital printing systems are available at every level, the substrates are multiple too – from paper and cardboard, foil and plastic printing surfaces to varnish effects as well as security and brand protection solutions, UV toners and a whole range of other specialties will be represented at the event.
Emphasizing the significance of this event Mike Fairley, the world leading consultant on labels and packaging, said: “Recently our industry has seen the move of digital printing technology from niche into mainstream to join flexo, UV flexo, offset and letterpress processes. Digital has become an integral part of today’s label and packaging production and is now accepted by leading brand owners and print buyers worldwide. This event is undoubtedly a showcase for the future of our industry.”
Commenting on the news of the launch, Roger Pellow, Labels Group Managing Director, said: “Digital printing has existed for over 20 years. However, it is now a reality for the label industry. Currently some 14% of all new narrow-web press installations are digital, with this figure expected to rise to between 20 and 30% over the next 5 to 10 years. For the future of printing technologies, digital printing will play a key role, due to its functionality and seamless combination with online communications. Digital printing will provide new ways of servicing the industry. And for these reasons, for any printer/converter who wants to understand and learn about future opportunities of digital printing and in addition network with their peers, experts and end-users the Summit is a must to attend. Getting involved in digital is something all companies should consider.”