The Printing Saga Continues

Published: September 01, 2003, By Nsenga Byrd Thompson, Staff Editor

Graph Expo and Converting Expo is set to boost commercial printers' inroads into packaging and converters' move into digital.

SEP28 - OCT 1, 2003
GRAPH EXPO and CONVERTING EXPO 2003

Graphic Arts Show Co.,
McCormick Pl. S., Chicago, IL
(703/264-7200; gasc.org)
Show Hours
Sunday through Tuesday
10 am to 5 pm
Wednesday
10 am to 4 pm

Have commercial printers' curiosity about package printing turned into more than just interest? Will this be the year converters finally say “yes” to digital? Be sure to “tune in” as Graph Expo and Converting Expo, hailed as the largest annual event for the graphic communications industry, comes to McCormick Place South in Chicago, IL, September 28-October 1.

Five hundred companies are expected to exhibit products and services to printing, converting, graphic design, prepress, and publishing professionals in 360,000 sq ft of display space. The show will focus on all types of print, including digital and wide-format ink jet, converting, and emerging new media based on digital workflows. Eighty percent of exhibitors will display newly released products, technology, and services, with the show floor being segmented into prepublishing, press, and converting.

The Plot Thickens
With the popularity in converting exploding the past ten years, close to one-third of the show floor will be devoted to converting exhibits, with top vendors from a variety of disciplines participating. Many around the industry have speculated the expansion of the converting segment is just one more indicator of the growing trend of commercial printers eyeing the package printing industry.

“Initially, this expansion of the show to include converting was intended both to help print businesses seek out growth opportunities in the closely related packaging industry and to show packaging specialists how they could upgrade the appearance and shelf appeal of their products through better design and printing,” says Regis J. Delmontagne, president of the Graphic Arts Show Co., the show's organizer. “Today we have continued and expanded that portion of the show in response to expressed needs of the industry, as technology has evolved and demand for high quality converting has increased,” Delmontagne notes.

Converting equipment to be exhibited will include box and carton products; coating machines; control systems; creasers; die equipment; hot stamping and embossing equipment; folding machinery; gluing and laminating equipment; slitter/rewinders; viscosity control/measurement; and flexo, gravure, and other printing presses.

Also getting considerable attention again this year is the still-growing world of digital printing and digital workflows. With the emergence of the more digital-savvy commercial printers scoping out package converting territory, will converters overcome the “kryptonite” that has stood between them and the digital world? Stay tuned!

Intriguing Show Subplots!
Graph Expo and Converting Expo will include a variety of show extras:

• The Executive Outlook Conference, held the day before the show, is designed to provide attendees with insight into changing technology and critical issues.

• Must See 'Ems are exhibits showcasing those innovations most likely to impact printing and converting as determined by a group of the industry's most respected consultants. They can be seen on video kiosks on the show floor and lobby.

• The 9th annual Rochester Institute of Technology Cary Award will be presented to a notable individual who has advanced digital printing and publishing technology.

• Hitting Color in the Digital Workflow is designed to provide printers access to information on manufacturers offering products that help meet this challenge.

Be sure to visit PFFC at Booth 2873 to give us your feedback on the show.