From stick packs to new label printers, here’s a roundup of some of the latest formats and technologies to hit the narrow web market:
Avery Dennison’s Bio-Based Stick Pack
The rising trend of on-the-go consumers, convenience and eco-friendly packaging are accelerating growth for stick packs, a narrow web flexible packaging solution. Avery Dennison’s Expanded Fasson Rapid-Roll Stickpak Portfolio provides good, better and best options for a wide range of applications. Its new Cello Stickpak Surlyn 300 HB offers an easy-tear cellulose face with enhanced printability. This bio-based face is made using renewable resources and brings excellent dimensional stability to the packaging process. This lamination, combined with a Surlyn sealant, is an excellent combination to provide stick packs with a clean no-notch opening. It is designed to work in multi-lane machines or with higher speeds.
Flint Group’s Thermal Plate Processing System for Label Printing
Flint Group’s Flexographic Product’s nyloflex Xpress Thermal Processing System for flexographic printing plates incorporates the speed of thermal plate making with incredible plate and print quality. The processor offers a smart design with an enhanced user interface. It provides unprecedented control and allows for more consistent and stable plate production.
At the heart of the processing system lies the nyloflex Thermal Printing Plates specifically formulated to perform exceptionally well in the processor. Specially developed to print at high line screens of 200+ lpi, nyloflex thermal plates are capable of printing the finest highlight dots up to 50 percent smaller in size than the minimum printed dot of the conventional leading thermal plate.
Intelligent configuration of the processor allows for fewer components, so there is less maintenance, less downtime and lower operating costs associated with its operation. The processor’s zoned heating system is built around a highly efficient IR assembly, which provides precise monitoring of the heat distribution across the drum width and into the plate. The perfectly controlled heat imparts better dimensional stability to the plate backing, affording increased stability and consistency to plate processing. The accurate regulation of the heat eliminates the need for a chiller.
Innovia Announces New Grades of its Squeezable Labelstock
Innovia Films has added new down-gauged grades to its BOPP squeezable Rayoface label facestock range. CZFA51 and WZFA51 are clear and white films, respectively, that offer customers the opportunity to save time and money at every step of the value chain by switching from PE85. In addition, they offer a squeezable film with market-leading clarity for a “no-label” look.
Squeezable films are popular with brand managers, especially in the home and personal care sectors. Labels produced from these films maintain their consistency and quality throughout the life of the container on which they are applied, whatever format they are.
HERMA US’ Labeler for Pharma, Cosmetic Applications
HERMA US Inc. has introduced its mid-range wraparound labeling machine, ideal for the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. The 152E labeler features the same heavy-duty label applicator platform as Herma’s premium “M” (Master) series, allowing for simple installation of printers and vision systems. The module can handle substrate diameters from a half-inch to 4 inches at speeds of up to 150 products per minute, and can be fitted with either an Allen-Bradley or Siemens PLC controller, depending on customer preference.
FLEXcon Releases New UV Inkjet Topcoat Technology
FLEXcon Company Inc.’s FLEXcon DPM UVIJ new product line features UV inkjet topcoated 2.0 mil white polyester and 4.0 mil white polypropylene, as well as non-topcoated 4.0 mil white vinyl — all of which yield consistent surface smoothness and excellent dimensional stability.
The products are coated with FLEXcon’s V/L-344 permanent acrylic adhesive and backed with either a roll-form liner, or a first-in-the-industry layflat liner specifically designed for narrow format UVIJ printable roll-to-roll or roll-to-sheet converting. The product line is designed for durable goods and industrial labeling applications. Designed to meet the growing demand for digital print technology, FLEXcon’s UV inkjet gloss topcoat sets a new standard in narrow-format UV inkjet printing by providing excellent ink receptivity for sharp, vibrant graphics while providing excellent ink adhesion.
Mactac Expands CHILL AT Line
Mactac’s Performance Adhesives Group is expanding its CHILL AT all-temperature label product line with the addition of two new product constructions. The two new product line additions – EDP7812 and AJR7802 – are ideal for short-term, indoor labeling needs and, like all CHILL AT products, excel in cold temperatures.
CHILL AT labels are formulated for demanding cold temperature applications, but also deliver superior performance at room temperature. CHILL AT’s versatile temperature range spans from -65 to +150 degrees Fahrenheit, and the adhesive is proven to work well on low-surface energy substrates, such as low-density polyethylene (LDPE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polystyrene, polypropylene, paper and corrugate.
EDP7812 is a premium 50# uncoated EDP product that is bright, white and smudge-proof. It offers outstanding print quality for both impact and continuous feed laser printing and its 50# Super Calendared Kraft (SCK) liner makes it ideal for pin-hole punching, die-cutting, stripping, label dispensing and fan-folded applications. AJR7802 features a bright red fluorescent facestock and is ideal for flexographic and continuous feed laser printing. It has a semi-bleached 40# SCK liner that is excellent for die-cutting, stripping and label dispensing. Designed primarily for roll-to-roll applications, the entire product construction of AJR7802 coverts and prints on wider webs and higher speeds than typical rubber-based adhesive-coated papers.
Afinia’s New Digital Label Printer
Afinia Label has released the L901 Digital Color Label Printer for in-line narrow web applications. An industrial label printer, the L901 helps offload smaller jobs and proofing from larger flexo or digital presses. It can produce full-color prints with stunning image quality at speeds of up to 12 inches per second. Photo-quality images and exceptionally-crisp text and barcodes are printed at up to 1600 x 1600 DPI via Memjet’s Sirius print engine. Five high-capacity 250 ml ink cartridges (CYMKK) offer an extremely low ink cost per label.
