PFFC - April 2008 - (Page 42)

GRAVURE AWARDS Quality Time The PLGA celebrates ongoing advances in gravure and award winners that prove the point. By Deborah Donberg, Assoc. Managing Editor US Winners Category | Security Subcategory | Security Printing Winner | Avery Dennison, Security Printing Div. Entry | Forever 2-Sided Booklet uAvery Dennison won two awards in this category, also garnering Best of Show for this entry. Ten colors are printed on Fasson two-sided stamp stock using Siegwerk C-type solvent-based inks on a Dia-Nippon Kiko press with engravings by WRE ColorTech. The stamp is printed using line screen engravings of 300–400 to make counterfeiting difficult. For further security, the word “Forever” is micro-printed on each stamp. The description sums up judges reactions: “There is not much more that can be said about perfection.” he Packaging and Label Gravure Assn. Global (PLGA) held its 2008 Annual Operational Conference in Miami, FL, February 27–29, with 200 in attendance. “Fast Forward>>>>The Future” was the theme with gravure experts from every aspect of the industry checking the road ahead. In existence for ten years, the PLGA continues to grow. It champions a method of printing that always has been known for its quality and today has achieved some economies of scale as well. Thom Blischok, president of Strategic Consulting Information Resources, delivered the keynote address, “Tomorrow’s Package—Are You Ready?” He identified five key trends in packaging: eco-friendly packaging; truth in the message; new sizes and shapes; redesigning to reflect function; and the challenge of addressing various interest groups. Blischok talked about the “zero moment of truth,” explaining that most people make up their minds before they leave the house which products they will buy. What the converting/packaging industry must figure out is how to change their minds in the store. Future trends include more refillable packages and natural products, say from such places as the Amazon, which both fit into the sustainability movement. Blischok showed a label with “moving pictures,” courtesy of an ultra-thin paper battery. Acknowledging there may be disposal challenges to such a product, he nevertheless disagreed with a member of the audience who said it never will happen. In a session devoted to digital technology, Sean Skelly, director of marketing for EFI, Jetrion Industrial Inkjet Systems, addressed the question, “How can digital inkjet complement gravure?” He said with growth in short runs, including regional runs and more SKUs, UV inkjet can be a useful part of a gravure printer’s operation. Frank Pasarelli, product manager, Rotomec Gravure, Bobst Group North America, participated in a session that asked, “What will traditional markets be doing in 2013?” He talked about productivity gains in the light board packaging markets, showing a comparison of web-fed gravure versus sheet-fed offset and noting that the web-fed process aids workflow. Passarelli also offered tips for success in shrink label gravure printing that included working on more stable and cost-effective materials, remembering that narrow web is not always the solution, and decreasing tooling costs and turnaround time. Bud Gray of Acucote, in discussing the outlook for pressure-sensitive labels, cautioned printers to concentrate on repositioning themselves and focus on what they can do that’s different from their competitors. “The reality is,” he said, “the printing industry is a mature market. This is manageable, and many are dealing with it successfully. Are you?” Gray also contributed to the session on security printing by discussing brand protection opportunities for the gravure printer. He said all products are under attack by counterfeiters these days, which is a shift from the past when it was mostly luxury items. After covering the various types and levels of authentication technologies, Gray said, “This is the biggest market I’ve ever seen.” Other sessions included RFID/Printed Electronic Circuitry and Sustainability. Winning Examples T BEST OF SHOW The Annual Print Quality Awards Program was presented during a reception. This year’s competition drew 103 entries, a 27% increase over last year. Following is a sampling of the 2007 PLGA Print Quality Awards. For more information visit www.plga.com. 42 | APRIL 2008 WWW.PFFC-ONLINE.COM http://www.plga.com http://www.plga.com http://WWW.PFFC-ONLINE.COM

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of PFFC - April 2008

PFFC - April 2008 Table of Contents First Glance Calendar of Events From the Editor Web Lines Process Management News Clips Narrow Web & Label Reporter Narrow Web & Label What’s New Products Carton & Box Reporter Carton & Box What’s New Products Green Converting Pouchmaking Show Preview Flexible Packaging Gravure Printing What's New Products Services Directory Classifieds Marketplace Equipment Buyers & Sellers Advertisers Index Experience Speaks

PFFC - April 2008

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