Spring 2005                    return to newsletter contents page

FPPA Member News

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Agfa and Esko-Graphics Announce Sales Agreement in the UK

Agfa and Esko-Graphics announced that the companies have entered into a reseller agreement which allows Agfa to sell DeskPack and Plato products to the packaging market in the United Kingdom. A similar agreement has been reached in Spain.

For more information, please visit the AgfaPress Center at www.agfapress.com.
 

Clemson University to Host Corrugated Symposium

Clemson University, in association with the International Corrugated Packaging Foundation, will host the Fundamentals of Quality Print on Corrugated Symposium May 4–6, 2005. This 2–1/2 day symposium provides an in-depth overview of the elements of the printing system, examining board liners, anilox rolls, doctor blades, inks and plate systems to demonstrate how they are integrated together to produce enhanced graphics, from clean solids and line work to halftones and process color.

The symposium features a number of interactive breakout sessions and a troubleshooting workshop to identify press issues and recommend corrective action. Participants will develop a thorough understanding of controlling the combinations of anilox rolls, inks, plates and prepress possibilities to best suit their needs. The discussion will include tools and methods that any plant can implement to analyze and improve print quality.

The symposium gathers together industry leaders from around the country to share their experience and knowledge of corrugated print. Participants have the opportunity to freely discuss their printing concerns with these experts and Clemson faculty in panel discussions and breakout sessions. The learning opportunities are extended into the evenings with social hours and a banquet featuring a Q&A session with a panel of industry vendors and technical representatives.

For full program information, contact Liam O'Hara (864-656-6897, e-mail lohara@clemson.edu) or visit the Clemson University Department of Graphic Communications web-site at http://graphics.clemson.edu/itc.
 

NEWS FROM CREO, INC.

Packaging Workflow Solutions

Expanded U.S. Coverage

Creo Introduces Powerful Packaging Workflow Solutions for Prepress Automation and Integration at CMM International

New! Prinergy Powerpack 3.0

Fort Dearborn Company Implements Prinergy 3.0

New! Pandora Version 2.8

Synapse Link Supports More MIS

Networked Graphic Production and Packaging

Synapse InSite Now with Color-Accurate Soft Proofing

Synapse^®InSite 4.0 will introduce several new features including InSite Color, the only color-accurate soft proofing fully integrated with Creo workflow solutions. This SWOP certified option extends the capability of Synapse InSite workflow by ensuring a proof viewed by multiple stakeholders at different locations will be displayed with consistent and accurate color. Furthermore, the on-screen color will match a hard copy proof viewed under the controlled lighting conditions of the light booth. Other new features that extend the power of Synapse InSite include the creation and display of customizable job information sheets and production schedule information as well as the ability to view reader spreads.

Creo Announces Strategy to expand Coverage of U.S. Flexo Market

Creo Inc. (NASDAQ: CREO; TSX: CRE) announces new strategy to expand distribution of Creo solutions to the flexographic market in the United States. Creo is pleased to announce partnerships with All Printing Resources of Glendale Heights, IL, Anderson & Vreeland, Inc. of Bryan, OH, and JV Imaging Systems Inc. of Northborough, MA. These certified flexo dealers will represent Creo prepress systems including the Prinergy Powerpack^® prepress workflow, the ThermoFlex^® family of flexographic computer-to-plate imaging systems, and Integris™ proofing systems, to meet the needs of flexographic printers, converters and trade shops.

Creo packaging sales managers Tom Roddy and Bob Sutton have been appointed flexo channel managers. Bringing a combined total of over 50 years of experience serving the flexo market, Mr. Roddy and Mr. Sutton will work with the new partners to deliver end-to-end solutions to customers. “We are very excited about the fact that industry leaders in the flexo supply chain are embracing Creo technology,” stated Mr. Roddy. “Partnering with companies that are 100 percent focused on the flexo marketplace will allow us to deliver the best value to the customer.”

Adds Patrick Morrissey, Creo vice president of channel sales, “The ability to bundle Creo workflow software and ThermoFlex imaging devices with flexographic plates, equipment and supplies from a variety of manufacturers will allow us to offer customers the ultimate technologies in flexographic printing. These new alliances signal Creo’s commitment to provide flexo printers and converters in the U.S. with solutions that will increase their profitability and grow their businesses.”

NEWS FROM INNOVATIVE PLATEMAKING SOLUTIONS

Ruch Forms Innovative Platemaking Solutions

Mark/Trece to Distribute CusionCore

Ruch Forms Innovative Platemaking Solutions

Bill Ruch, President of NPP Packaging Graphics Specialists, a flexo tradeshop in Indianapolis, Indiana, has formed a new company called Innovative Platemaking Solutions, LLC (IPS) to manufacture and market a new compressible photopolymer printing plate material called CushionCore^TM. IPS will be licensing qualified tradeshops throughout the United State to exclusively process and market the CushionCore^TM printing plate in a specified territory.

The CushionCore^TM printing plate incorporates a specially designed compressible cushion inside the individual printing plate. This allows a corrugated converter to print higher solid ink densities while reducing dot gain and fluting and simultaneously maintaining the clarity of fine details, small positive and reverse type, scannable bar codes and halftones in the same plate. The plate material is presently being manufactured from .107 to .250 thickness range and up to 52” X 80” in size. IPS is continuing to develop an extended range of CushionCore^TM product for the flexo market. For more information on this new product please visit: www.npp-graphics.com.

IPS Selects Mark/Trece to Distribute CushionCore Plates

Innovative Platemaking Solutions, LLC (IPS) in Indianapolis, IN is pleased to announce that Mark/Trece, Inc. headquartered in Joppa Maryland has been selected to distribute the CushionCore^TM compressible photopolymer printing plates in 19 states (Maine, Vermont, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Georgia and Florida) and Puerto Rico.

The CushionCore^TM printing plate incorporates a specially designed compressible cushion inside the individual printing plate. Corrugated converters are reporting improved printing of solid ink densities while reproducing halftone dots (with minimal fluting), fine detail and 4 point positive and reverse type, all in the same printing plate. Mark/Trece will be manufacturing the CushionCore^TM printing plates in the Fallston, MD, Greensboro, NC, Richmond, VA, Whippany NJ, Murfreesboro, TN and Puerto Rico facilities.

 IPS is continuing to select additional corrugated prepress trade shops throughout the United States to manufacture and market the CushionCore^TM compressible photopolymer printing plate family of products. NPP Packaging Graphics Specialists, Inc. in Indianapolis, IN was the first distributor selected by IPS and will be licensed to distribute CushionCore^TM in Indiana, Illinois, Ohio and Kentucky. 

NEWS FROM MARK ANDY

Partnering in Flexography Education

Folding Carton Seminar

Mark Andy and Cal Poly: Partners in Flexography Education 

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, renowned for it’s Graphic Communication (GrC) major, and Mark Andy continue to enhance their partnership in support of flexo education.  Both organizations strive to improve all areas of flexographic education.  Cal Poly is excited about their recent additions to its Mark Andy model 2200 press.  Two new flexo printing units and a die-cutting station have been added by Mark Andy.  The new components will allow Cal Poly to extend their technical capabilities.

Dr. Malcom Keif, Department Chair for the GrC department, is making a huge push for more flexography education in the curriculum and sees flexography as one of the fastest growing segments of printing.  Mark Andy equipment will continue to play a role in education at Cal Poly.

In the past, flexo was taught as part of a class on web technologies. The class was a requirement which covered gravure, flexography and lithography from a web based standpoint as opposed to sheetfed. Over the last few years, with the addition of new professors like Penny Osmand and Malcom Keif, changes are being made in how flexography is being taught. A new class has been created focusing exclusively on flexography.  “Recent advances in technology have increased not only the speed and quality of flexo work, but have broadened the horizons of applications for flexo printers,” Dr. Keif commented when discussing the significance of flexography advancements.

Cal Poly’s philosophy in education is “learn by doing”. This approach to education means that almost every class that is taught has a lab portion in which students get hands on experience seeing, touching, and using equipment to gain further comprehension of what they are being taught. The modernized Mark Andy 2200 press along with a DuPont FAST thermal processor and several other pieces of equipment are used in these labs.  Live equipment will remain a key component to successful curriculums in the future.

“We are making several changes to the curriculum, mainly because flexography has changed. The quality is better than it has ever been and the applications for flexography are growing, in some cases, even into areas that only offset would have only been applicable for in the past,” stated Dr. Keif .

 “We focus on portraying the real-life printing profession and when it changes we need to change. We are seeing more work being done flexo, more flexo equipment in commercial shops.  Now we have more flexo equipment here along with more time in the labs and classrooms spent on flexo to keep up with the trend. In addition to labels, we are seeing flexo presses producing all kinds of packaging from film-based products like bags to expensive high quality folding cartons. New technologies like RFID, printable batteries, laser die cutting, digital printing, etc. are all future growth markets for flexography. We educate our students about these technologies as they emerge in commercial markets and in some cases before.”

The department started in 1946 training students to be able to obtain work in the printing industry as craftsmen and press operators. The department has grown in size and popularity and now has many different types of equipment to complement classroom training with brands like Mark Andy, Heidelberg, Xerox, Hewlett Packard, Creo, DuPont, Polar, Mueller Martini (sp), MBO, Goss, and several others, totaling over 15 million dollars in value.

Mark Andy has always played a critical and supportive role in education throughout the industry.  With over 50 higher educational institutions using Mark Andy and Comco equipment to educate tomorrow’s flexographers, it is a testament to the company’s dedication to education.  “Education continues to be a key aspect in maintaining a healthy flexo industry.  Mark Andy dedicates a lot of resources and support to a variety of flexo educators.  Supporting partnerships, like Cal Poly, allows our company to stay in touch with how education continues to change and evolve.  And, that is critical to Mark Andy and its future development priorities.  We truly enjoy working with and learning from Cal Poly and their team,” states Greg Palm, VP Sales and Marketing, Mark Andy, Inc.

Cal Poly has turned out executive and management level graduates who have assumed roles in companies such as DuPont, WS packaging, G3 Label Division, Spectrum Label, Label Technology, Paragon Label, Emerald Packaging, and many others.

Future plans in flexography education, according to Keif, include focusing on increasing skill level of students, improving equipment and processes, strengthening relationships with west coast converters, and continuing with FTA co-sponsored workshops.  Mark Andy also looks forward to playing a key role in the future developments at Cal Poly.

Comco Flexo Focus Seminar for Folding Cartons 

Comco Division of Mark Andy, Inc., announces the Flexo Focus Seminar for Folding Cartons June 15, 2005 at the Comco Advanced Training & Technology Center in Milford, Ohio.

The Educator Series of seminars, now in its eighth year, brings together industry experts from all disciplines with the aim of providing a comprehensive educational experience for converters in various segments of the printing and packaging industry.   Scheduled topics for the seminar include a dynamic keynote address, which discusses packaging innovation and differentiation.  Additional speakers will address the business of in-line folding cartons, prepress breakthroughs, a converter’s perspective on flexography, die-cutting technologies, and the changing opportunities in the market segment.

As always, the Educator Seminar will include a LIVE press demonstration, including a dynamic complete job changeover featuring Comco-designed die-cut cassettes.  “These LIVE demonstrations give attendees living proof of the quality and efficiency that flexography brings to the Folding Carton Industry, even on very narrow webs” explains Mike Pfaff, Director, Paperboard and Folding Carton Press Sales for Comco.  To illustrate that point, the company will this year use a 16” Servo ProGlide MSP Press as the vehicle for demonstrations.

Flexo Focus will be dedicated to the folding carton segment, and will include a Comco and supplier-sponsored hospitality welcome party the evening preceding the seminar.  These events have become an Educator tradition, and offer opportunities for networking and one-on-one discussions with suppliers and industry experts. 

For full program details, to register or get more information about the Flexo Focus Educator Seminar on Folding Cartons visit www.markandy.com or contact Jenny Taylor at 636-532-4433 Ext. 360 or jtaylor@markandy.com.

Trinity Graphic Purchases Flexo Trade School 

Trinity Graphic USA is pleased to announce that it has purchased 50 percent of the Flexographic Trade School in Ft Mill SC. FTS has been in existence for over five years training flexographic press operators for the narrow web industry, including labels, tags, cartons and flexible packaging.

The school is presently equipped with 2- 8 color 10" Mark Andy presses, and is undergoing negotiations to increase this number very soon.

Trinity will also be adding over $1million of prepress equipment over the next few weeks, which at that point will also be offering prepress and platemaking training to the industry, with discounted rates to all FPPA members.