Flexo Trade Services Receives Printing System Donation from Squid Ink
Brooklyn Park, Minnesota-based Squid Ink recently donated a new VDP In-LineP2; variable data printing system to Flexo Trade Services (FTS) in Fort Mill, S.C. The donation, valued at approximately $50,000, underlines Squid Ink57's continued commitment to the printing industry and enables FTS students to gain hands-on experience printing variable data on their flexographic presses.
The donation by Squid Ink included a VDP In-Line variable data printing system that mounts on FTS57; existing 10" Mark Andy 2200 press. Squid Ink57's VDP In-Line system utilizes industrial inkjet technology to print variable data including sequential bar codes, sequential numbers, traceability codes and game codes on tickets, tags and labels. The system's four 2.1" high-resolution printheads can print up to 8.4" wide on a variety of porous and non-porous surfaces. The system will be used by students learning to run flexographic equipment at Flexographic Trade Services and for print jobs requiring variable data in-line.
FTS staff member Steve Wilkinson stated it was quick and easy to install the 52 lb. VDP In-Line system.
For more than 10 years. Flexographic Trade Services (flexotradeservices.com) has been providing Flexographic consulting and training to the Flexographic Printing Industry as well as to other print industries, such as offset and gravure, that may be looking to convert to or add the Flexographic process to their product line. FTS assists printers from all over the world with their everyday printing challenges, print requirements or basic training need. FTS offers a variety of training programs from a two-day introduction course to an in-depth three-month Press Operator Class.
For more information, visit www.squidink.com.
Masterpiece Graphix Partners with Xeikon
St. Louis-based Masterpiece Graphix (MGX) has partnered with Xeikon, a pioneer in digital color printing, to offer metalized substrate enhancement services for the Xeikon label presses. Xeikon-authorized MGX Brilliant Metalized Paper/Perm/40# (R1361) will be one of the substrates running on the Xeikon 3500 digital press at the Labelexpo 2010 show in Chicago. Xeikon is exhibiting at Booth 6135, Hall F at Labelexpo.
MGX’s R1361 has been enhanced with a digital topcoat and is authorized for use on all the Xeikon label presses for the best possible image quality and toner adhesion. MGX also offers Xeikon-authorized enhanced metalized material solutions for synthetic substrates such as BOPP and polyester.
According to Filip Weymans, Business Development Manager – Labels & Packaging, Xeikon, “We are excited about our partnership with MGX. Our presses work exceptionally well with most standard self-adhesive label substrates without any pre-treatment or coating (Paper and BOPP). In case of MGX’s R1361 Metalized substrate, a digital topcoat is required to optimize the image quality and adhesion. All the MGX substrates that we have tested work really well with our presses. We will demonstrate this at Labelexpo.”
“We are all about creating materials that enhance digital printing performance,” said Doug Watson, president of Masterpiece Graphix. “We have a high regard for Xeikon and it is a privilege to develop materials for them.”
The Xeikon 3500, launched at IPEX 2010, addresses the need for more production capacity. It can handle scalable media widths up to 20.3 inches, a significant size increase that allows label converters to digitally address a wider range of applications with 1200 dpi imaging quality. In addition, it can handle monthly duty cycles up to 3.8 million square feet.
The Xeikon 3500 is ideal for the production of self-adhesive and heat transfer labels. Equipped with high-precision LED-based imaging heads, it generates excellent image quality. The press is equipped with 5 color stations, 4 for the standard process colors while the 5th allows the use of spot colors. Print speed of the press is unaffected by the number of colors used as well as the repeat length of a label. The Xeikon 3500 can also apply a special security toner for anti-counterfeiting applications, and ‘one-pass’ opaque white to create a desired ‘no-label/label-less look’ on transparent labels. It runs on Xeikon’s new QA-I toner, which meets all the applicable FDA standards for indirect and direct contact with dry food items.
For more information, visit www.mgxdigital.com or www.xeikon.com.
Business Stationery, LLC Releases Online Ordering Site
Cleveland-based Business Stationery, LLC, a division of Identity Group Companies, announced the release of OrderCustom123, an online ordering solution designed for distributors to reach out to small businesses in the United States.
Distributors now can offer a branded ordering site where customers can design and purchase business cards, stationery, labels, stamps, name plates and badges, signage of all kinds and imprinted stock business forms.
The OrderCustom123 site is offered to distributors at no cost and all customer service will be handled by Identity Group. All prices on the website include free shipping for all products throughout the continental United States. Customers are able to upload and store custom art files on the site and easily place product re-orders.
Distributors can view a demo of the ordering site by visiting www.bsiprint.com and clicking on the view demo link on the solutions page of the website.
NewPage Introduces New Label Paper
Headquartered in Miamisburg, Ohio, NewPage Corporation launched OptiLabel HB, a 54-pound high performance general purpose label paper for North American and International pressure sensitive markets.
With a history based in manufacturing papers for the pressure-sensitive market, the product development team at NewPage set its sights on developing a new label facestock that maintains a premium appearance, and consistently performs well and in all aspects of production, from pressure sensitive laminating and label printing, to die cutting and high speed label application.
"Our experience in this market provides us with an in-depth understanding of the needs throughout the entire supply chain," said David Diekelman, executive director of sales and business development for specialty papers. "Pressure sensitive converters want stunning label graphics for their brand owner customers, delivered on a North American sourced label paper that meets their stringent quality standards and maximizes operational efficiencies. OptiLabel HB delivers on all of these key objectives."
This product is manufactured on the No. 3 paper machine, one of three machines, at the NewPage Escanaba, Mich., mill, a fully integrated pulp and paper manufacturing facility. The state-of-the-art machine was recently converted to manufacture release liner and label facestock papers for the pressure sensitive industry. With a machine trim of 262 inches, the No. 3 paper machine is ideal for serving the unique requirements of the pressure sensitive industry.
For more information, visit www.newpagecorp.com.
Pitney Bowes Offers New Tabber System for U.S. Mailers
Stamford, Connecticut-based Pitney Bowes Inc. announced it is offering a new tabletop, dual-head tabber system for U.S. mailers. The Pitney Bowes W360 Multifunction Tabber System provides several tabbing applications and stamp affixing in one solution to help mailers meet the latest United States Postal Service (USPS) tabbing regulations and efficiently prepare letter-size self-mailers and booklets for delivery.
The USPS requires that letter-size self-mailers and booklets—mail not placed in an envelope—arrive at the post office properly sealed and tabbed to allow for smooth processing in sorting equipment. Mailers who take advantage of this can work towards qualifying for automation discounts. Self-mailers and booklets that do not comply with USPS standards for tabbing and sealing will be considered nonmachinable and assessed at higher postage prices.
The W360 Multifunction Tabber System can simultaneously apply up to 1.5" adhesive tabs to the top and sides or opposite sides of the mail piece in a single pass, to help meet USPS regulations. The system can also apply up to three USPS stamps in a single pass for added flexibility.
“Self-mailers and booklets can be a highly effective way to connect with customers and prospects to help increase sales leads, quickly communicate offers, news and information, and build customer loyalty and retention,” said Debra Thompson, vice president, marketing, U.S. Mailing, Pitney Bowes Inc. “Our new W360 Multifunction Tabber System enables organizations to properly prepare letter-size self-mailers and booklets to help qualify for automation discounts, while offering increased productivity and flexibility to meet a variety of applications.”
The W360 Tabber System can apply up to 25,000 tabs per hour for single tabs and handles material up to 1/4" thick for flexible material handling. An optional conveyor stacker equipped with an optical sensor communicates directly with the system to organize and collect output, and pauses when the stacker is full.
The Pitney Bowes W360 Multifunction Tabber System can tab a variety of documents and materials including newsletters, educational offerings and communications, pamphlets, letter-sized booklets, double postcards, wallet-sized booklets and promotional coupons. Tabs are available in a variety of sizes and can be clear, paper or translucent.
For more information, visit www.pb.com.
IWCO Installs Envelope Converters in Its Hamburg Facility
Chanhassen, Minnesota-based IWCO Direct, a national provider of direct marketing solutions, has installed two F.L. Smithe envelope converters at its Hamburg, Pa., facility. The installation brings IWCO Direct’s Total Package platform to the Hamburg facility and continues the integration of the U.S. operations of Transcontinental Direct into IWCO Direct's production processes. The acquisition of Transcontinental Direct’s U.S. operations was completed in April.
IWCO Direct has installed an F.L. Smithe SW and an F.L. Smithe SR converter. Both converters are expected to be fully operational and in 24-hour a day production by the end of September. The equipment will support the conversion of approximately 60 million envelopes per month at the Hamburg facility. With more than 25 years of envelope converting experience, backed by the strength and stability of IWCO Direct’s 40-year history, IWCO Direct customers are assured access to envelopes for their direct mail campaigns.
“With our Total Package solution now fully available in Hamburg, we are able to provide customers a balanced platform across our national footprint,” explained Jim Andersen, IWCO Direct president and CEO. “Through the skilled effort of our managers and staff, which includes comprehensive training for our new team members, we are successfully integrating the U.S. operations of Transcontinental Direct into our business operations and expanding the reach of our capabilities in just a few short months.”
The F.L. Smithe SR offers a unique feature that allows IWCO Direct to convert preprinted rolls of envelope stock. This equipment allows production of envelopes on coated stock with complex four-color process images. The F.L. Smithe SW is a micro-processor controlled high-speed web machine designed to produce side-seam booklet (wallet) style envelopes and open-end (pocket) style envelopes at speeds up to 1,500 envelopes per minute. Using these capabilities, IWCO Direct’s creative services team will introduce new envelope formats for direct mail acquisition, loyalty and engagement programs. Additional envelope converting equipment will be added in Hamburg in 2011.
IWCO Direct obtained the Hamburg facility through its acquisition of the U.S. operations of Transcontinental Direct in April. IWCO Direct also acquired facilities in Warminster, Pa., and Downey, Calif. The acquisition provided IWCO Direct a national footprint and furthered the company’s position as one of the largest service providers of paper-based and digital marketing programs in North America.
For more information, visit www.iwco.com.
Calling all Suppliers and Distributors!
Print Professional will soon be putting together its respective Top 100 Suppliers and Top 100 Distributors lists. Ranking is primarily determined by a company's annual sales for the last fiscal year completed. If you would like your chance to compete, e-mail managing editor Elise Carr at ecarr@napco.com or call (215) 238-5334 for the required entry form. Good luck!