Narrow Web & Label Reporter

Published: August 01, 2009, By By Yolanda Simonsis, Associate Publisher/Editor

Spartanics Tag Teams with EFI's Jetrion at Open House

ROLLING MEADOWS, IL | Spartanics teamed with EFI's Jetrion June 24-25 at an open house it hosted to prove a point. The companies offer complementary technologies that can compete with traditional press and die-cutting equipment to produce what many would call “not-so-short” runs. Together, they're busting some myths.

Label quantities considered ideal for either printing or die-cutting technologies have always been on the low range — in fact, as few as one. But on the high side, the quantity easily and economically has reached 50,000 and beyond.

Spartanics' high-speed Finecut Label Laser Die-Cutter, claimed the world's only galvo head laser die-cutting system, can work in-line or off-line with the EFI Jetrion 4000 UV Inkjet System at speeds of 100+ mpm for the laser die-cutter and 30.5+ mpm at more than 1,000 dpi with grayscale technology for the printer.

The die-cutter includes optimization software for ease of operator use, elimination of costly tool designs and changeover, as well as liner burn-throughs or melted adhesives to facilitate label removal. Changeover from a roll-fed design to continuous sheet takes mere minutes.

The Jetrion 4000 delivers high quality, full-color label printing to 13.9 cm (5.5 in.) wide. The system features an advanced UV4000 ink set said to provide exceptional durability and reduce the need for costly over-laminates. In combination with EFI's Fiery XF RIP and XFlow solution, the inks reportedly provide outstanding color reproduction across a range of substrates.

The lesson learned at this open house is that the realm of inkjet digital and laser die-cutting has expanded considerably. Runs of 80,000 are no longer dismissed, particularly if they are considered inefficient jobs. These problem jobs are likely best suited for digital production and allow a converter to regain machine uptime capacity on more traditional presses.

• Spartanics | www.spartanics.com
  Circle 303 or visit www.freeproductinfo.net/pff

• EFI | www.efi.com
  Circle 304 or visit www.freeproductinfo.net/pff

Kodak, Xeikon Alliance Offers Web-To-Print Solution

ROCHESTER, NY | An alliance between Kodak and Xeikon, Itasca, IL, a div. of Punch Graphix, enables printers to extend their web-based businesses with branded online ordering of tags, labels, and other products. Through the agreement, effective in the US and Canada, the companies will offer Kodak Web to Print Solutions and Insite Prepress Portal Product family as part of a complementary solution to the Xeikon 3300 narrow format digital label press. Kodak's Steve Miller, product manager, packaging workflow, says, “Integrating Kodak's web-based systems with the Xeikon press will give label printers the ability to provide new services to existing customers while also attracting new business opportunities.”

ASK-intTag To Print Security Inlays at IBM Facility

GREEN BAY, WI | ASK-intTag will lease approximately 15,000 sq ft of secured space at an IBM facility in Essex Junction, VT, to produce contactless inlays for a range of markets involving secure identification, including mass transit, bank cards, food, healthcare, gaming, and event ticketing. The company, which is a joint venture of WS Packaging Group, Green Bay, WI, and the France-based RFID manufacturer ASK, reports it will be the first contactless inlay manufacturer in the US to print silver-based antennas on inlays, the composition of which is highly resistant to forgery.

• Channeled Resources Group, Chicago, IL, was awarded L.I.F.E. (Label Initiative for the Environment) certification after successfully completing an audit conducted by NSF Intl. Strategic Registration in June. L.I.F.E. is offered exclusively by the Tag & Label Mfrs. Inst.

• Label Printing Industries of America, Sewickley, PA, reports business growth consultant Kenneth B. Lerman will deliver the keynote speech at the LPIA Fall Management Conference September 20-23 at Kingsmill Resort in Williamsburg, VA.

• Mark Andy, St. Louis, MO, has launched a new website for customer service and support. Visit www.yourfriendinfexo.com.

• Baker Self Adhesive Materials, London, has been appointed as a preferred distributor in the UK for 3M, St. Paul, MN, self-adhesive label materials.

• Rotocontrol Intl., Ahrensburg, Germany, has signed exclusive distribution agreements with AP&P Graphic Industrial Services in Finland and UK-based PGM Graphics Solutions to provide inspection, slitting, rewinding, and die-cutting machines for the narrow web industry.

• VIPColor Technologies, Newark, CA, has opened a European training center for its VP485e on-demand digital label printer. The center is located at Venture Electronics, Barcelona, Spain, where attendees will learn how to optimize production and acquire trouble-shooting and maintenance skills.

• UK-based Sandon Global has appointed Printing Products of Capetown as its agent in South Africa.