Finishing & Screen Printing

Enhanced package printing efficiency and performance on show at Gulf Print & Pack

Wednesday 09. February 2011 - Gulf Print & Pack is the best place for printers, converters and packers in the Middle East to see all that's new and exciting in commercial and package printing. Mike Fairley provides a first analysis of some of the new opportunity solutions to be found at the 2011 show.

There can be little doubt that the printing and construction of packaging is perhaps one of the most complex sectors of the printing industry. It uses the widest range of materials – from paper and board, to plastics, laminates, metallic foils, etc, – incorporates pretty well every printing process from flexo and offset to gravure, hot and cold foiling and, today, even digital printing, and has some of the most demanding quality, performance and environmental requirements. Add to that all the special finishing, coating, cutting, forming, erecting, filling and sealing operations that may be required to produced the complete, filled, pack and it can soon be seen why the package printer needs to keep up-to-date with everything that’s new, whether substrates, presses, inks, converting lines, etc, or even the latest legislation and testing requirements. So, what better place for printers, converters and packers in the Middle East to go to see and discuss everything that’s new and exciting than Gulf Print & Pack 2011 which takes place in Dubai from the 14 – 17 March.
Certainly, for film producer Innovia Films, the show provides and excellent opportunity to show printers, converters and brand owners the latest transparent, metallised and coloured films that regularly become part of some of the world’s best known brands – from confectionary to perfume, cheese, biscuits, tea, shampoo, tobacco and soft drinks. Where environmental pressures may be of concern for film users, then Innovia can today also offer an award-winning, compostable, cellulose-based film. Know as NatureFlex, this innovative product will be showcased alongside the company’s full range of packaging substrates. Outside of films, a replacement for the traditional media board used for cartons, media and signage will be revealed by the Eltete Group through their subsidiary, De-Mill Ltd. 100 per cent recyclable, the new D-Board product is a printable lightweight carton board.
If package printing efficiency is required, then show visitors will be able to see high performance flexographic printing which utilises EB flexo technology and eliminates photo-initiators. Highlighted by the Comexi Group, the F4 FLEXOEfficiency press is featured as a new way of flexo printing that enables the more efficient production of short-run jobs, as well as facilitating converter entry into the label market.
Package and plastics printers seeking superior printing results from their presses might wish to view and discuss the latest high definition corona treatment systems that provide premium results on conductive and non-conductive packaging materials. The Enercon H System claims to create higher dyne levels, superior print adhesion and a larger operating window than ordinary corona systems. Presented by Enercon Industries Corporation, a major manufacturer of equipment for the plastics and packaging industries, the Enercon H features specially constructed ceramic electrodes that have been optimised for use with a proprietary ceramic blend roll covering.
Also presenting equipment for enhancing package printing quality standards is Eltex Electrostatic GmbH. The company’s ESA GNH61 electrostatic printing assist systems for upgrading gravure presses means and end to missing dots and offers an optimum ink transfer to flexible materials. The ESA GNN75 core charging systems from Eltex has now been enhanced by adding new technical features that include fully automatic adjustments, optimum printing results, regular colour density and auto-recognition of paper or film.
Press performance enhancements and cost-savings for every application are being highlighted at the show by technotrans Middle East, with their latest dampening solution fine filtration systems for offset presses, whether sheet- or web-fed. Described as an ‘investment in savings’ their fine filtration unit beta.f has already proven itself with more than 70 installations since 2008 in the Middle East market. Reduced maintenance and chemical consumption result in a considerable reduction of operating costs and maximum machine availability.
Looking for package printing inks that suit almost printing substrates – from polypropylene, polyethylene, polyester, PVC, polyamide to paper, then a visit to the East Mediterranean for Printing Inks Company (EMPI) at Gulf Print & Pack could be rewarding. Specialising in manufacturing high quality liquids inks, both solvent and water-based, for flexographic and gravure packaging applications, the company have the flexibility to produce high concentrate inks which can used in ink dispensing systems as well.
Of interest to all packaging and label printers interested in improving the working environment and productivity, GeconomiX will be presenting to show visitors how print producers can optimise their production. Certainly, one of their highlights at this year’s GPP will be their waste collection systems that handle paper, carton, adhesive and other waste so as to ensure that no dirt, paper particles or dust is created inside the printing factory. And, for food producers, provide a perfectly clean environment. GeconomiX will also present a die-cutting stripping device that will reduce work force and time significantly – so reducing operating costs and providing a cleaner working environment. Air proof cabinets from the same company can also ensure machinery is protected from dust and dirt, as well as reduce maintenance, give higher print quality and enhance the press lifetime. At the same time the cabinets minimise noise pollution during the production process and help improve the workforce environment.
But it is not just press efficiency and performance that are highlighted at this year’s show. Pre-press and plate-making advances are also to the fore. The Kodak Trendsetter NX Imager for example, is said to offer exceptional productivity and consistency, outstanding image technology, semi-automatic operation, process stability and easy maintenance, as well as a wide tonal range for flexographic printing. The system allows packaging printers to produce high-quality results to differentiate their products, using digital flexo plate images that eliminate drop-off of highlights and providing exceptional printing results. Also shown is the Kodak Prinergy Powerpack workflow system that delivers the specialised packaging pre-press tools needed to build and pre-flight packaging files, as well as including a job management feature to track jobs from receipt of files, through proofing, approval and platemaking.
Lightweight gravure cylinders and the high quality rotogravure cylinder engraving required by package printers can be found on the Kroma booth at the show, while Technomec will be presenting ready to engrave polished copper cylinders, shafted steel cylinders, copper-plated cylinders and shafted copper cylinders.
With continuing pressure on package printers to improve quality and performance it is interesting to see some exhibitors at Gulf Print & Pack showing the latest in inspection and measuring equipment. Unilux are presenting LED inspection lights that provide package printers and converters with the capability to see more details and at the same time offer cost-efficiency. This is achieved by using LED stroboscopic inspection lights that have a softer light that avoids harsh reflections from foils, metallised substrates and highly reflective coatings on high-speed lines. The LED lamps use about half the power of traditional strobe lights and have a longer lamp life for lower operating costs over the life of the lamp.
For package printers that need to measure the densities and colour values of processes and spot-colours, German manufacturer Techkon GmbH are presenting the SpectroJet, a ‘spectrophotometer on wheels’ that revolutionises automatic colour measurement on any colour control bar for any printing process. The device is simply guided by hand along colour test patches. Accurate, spectral measured data is sent to the PC software ExPresso to display all relevant information for controlling the printing press. Ink zone specific density information and recommendations enable the press to be set ‘in-colour’ very quickly. Save paper waste and ensure high print quality. The unique feature of the system is its flexibility to be used with any press type and format.
What seems certain is that Gulf Print & Pack 2011 will have much to offer those packaging printers and users that are looking for higher quality and performance, to streamline their operations, to achieve efficiency savings, to reduce waste, to better manage their business and to provide a better. Surely that is what every package printer wants from their business today.