Finishing - Digital

You may consider it to be part of the general packaging sector, but label printing and finishing require less equipment (in general) than the other markets segments. Your operation may be a better fit for labels than you think.

As the printing industry changes, so too must its dealer network in order to survive. Digital printing systems have now evolved to run 24/7, and at much higher speeds. The existing “digital” binders, stitchers, folders and such were not designed either for these speeds or work volumes.

Some 80 exhibitors are expected to present their latest products in over 75,000 square feet of exhibition space at Hunkeler innovationdays, from Feb 11-15, 2013, at the Messe Lucerne exhibition facility, in Lucerne, Switzerland. Integrated total solutions will be demonstrated to address every aspect of workflow, within every industry segment.

Digital printing and finishing has clearly transformed the print industry, but it’s also having an equal impact in packaging. A fascinating demonstration at GRAPH EXPO 2012 married a laser diecutter with a short-run folder-gluer to produce small printed cartons.

While I didn’t have a whole lot of time to stroll around the show floor during last week’s GRAPH EXPO 2012 in Chicago, one technology caught my eye. Vision, as in machine vision. Such systems are another tool that can be used to ensure consistent, high-quality finished products.

I’ve detected a lot of interest in GRAPH EXPO 2012, and I think attendance will be very good. So what does that mean for finishing? Well, more focus on digital. Rightly so, as the choices of digital print technology continue to expand.

After 10 years (more, or less) of JDF, where does its adoption stand in the bindery? Well, not so large. There were lots of challenges in getting binders, stitchers, cutters, folders and more to operate seamlessly from downloaded instructions.

The bindery has had to become a very creative place as print evolves into an “on demand” service. One of the engineering marvels out there is the “book factory.” Almost all of the major bindery vendors have risen to this challenge to varying degrees.

Duplo USA announces the following equipment installations at shops with Xerox presses. Capitol Citicom Print & Graphics, in Columbus, OH, has vastly improved its efficiency and productivity with a Duplo DC-745 slitter/cutter/creaser. Tom Henry Cards, soon to open in Kissimmee, FL, has installed a Duplo DC-615 slitter/cutter/creaser.

Bindagraphics, a leading trade bindery, finishing and packaging company, recently installed a new 40˝ GBC Saturn 8556 laminator. “Being able to run 40˝-wide means lower prices on material and labor, and shorter schedules, which allows our customers to be more competitive,” Matt Anson, president of Bindagraphics, stated.