Esko feeds

Esko introduces Suite 12.1

webmaster@esko.com (Esko) — Wed, 22 May 2013 13:10:00 +0200

Esko Suite 12.1 brings automation beyond typical prepress tasks to even further streamline workflow throughout the entire packaging and print production supply chain. From novice users to advanced multi-site operations, Suite 12.1 adds valuable new functionality for every user.

Ghent (Belgium), May 21, 2013 – Esko (www.esko.com), a global supplier of integrated solutions for packaging, sign and display finishing, commercial printing and professional publishing, announced the release of Esko Suite 12.1 at EskoWorld, its annual user meeting being held in Phoenix, Arizona, May 19-22. The release includes significant new functionality that further streamlines end-to-end workflows across the entire print and packaging supply chain. Suite 12.1 follows the successful release of Suite 12 at drupa 2012 and includes updates of its flagship editing and automation software.

Workflow Made Easier

Suite 12.1 contains enhancements that will make work easier and more profitable for all stakeholders in the print and packaging supply chain, from novice users to advanced environments. Key enhancements incorporated in the release include:

Standard Template Workflows. For novice users, setting up an effective workflow is not a trivial exercise. By providing standard workflow templates for typical applications such as resp. folding carton, labels, signs, etc, Esko shortens the learning curve for less experienced users. Esko has leveraged its experience in training and in configuring many workflows in the field to create standard templates that automate the most common prepress and production tasks.
Integration with On-Press Visual Inspection Systems. In prepress editors PackEdge or ArtPro, users can now define areas on a job for inline visual inspection systems. This significantly reduces overall setup time for the press since the inline inspection system receives its setup data directly from Esko Automation Engine. With the inspection area defined upstream and not by the press operator, it becomes easier to standardize the production process across multiple sites, presses and operators. First inspection system integrations work with Esko´s partner AVT.
CombiPress Support. Especially in the label industry, it is common practice to combine different print processes (offset, flexo, digital, screen) within the same job, with each process requiring different preparation. With CombiPress support, even trapping tickets will automatically perform overprint calculations based on the targeted printing processes, eliminating manual selection of trapping tickets.
Esko Viewer Sports New Tools. The Esko Viewer in Automation Engine 12.1 is equipped with a barcode and braille reader. With this, the difficulty of manually and visually verifying the accuracy of a barcode or of a line of braille text, an essential check in the prepress QA process, has been overcome.
Compliance with EU Food Regulations. EU Regulation No. 1169/2011 goes into effect 13 December 2014 onwards. This regulation specifies minimum font size requirements for the nutrition declaration on food packaging. In DeskPack 12.1, the Preflight function can now detect text that does not meet this requirement, ensuring use of the correct font size and providing proof that the produced packaging is compliant.
Automation of Gang Runs for Flatbed Printers. With a growing number of shorter runs, automating gang printing on large format flatbed digital printers means more profitable operations. With Automation Engine 12.1, multiple odd-shaped designs can automatically be ganged onto a single print sheet layout, improving operator productivity and reducing waste of expensive substrates.

Bernard Zwaenepoel, Senior Vice President Software of Esko says: “After drupa, Esko´s Software Suite 12 was labeled as the industry reference. But we haven’t been resting on these laurels and invested significant time with our customers to understand additional value-adding requirements, many of which we have addressed in this release. By extending our capabilities beyond traditional prepress tasks, Suite 12.1 brings unsurpassed value to service providers, converters and printers alike as they strive to stay competitive and current in a dynamic market environment.”

The release of Esko´s Suite 12.1 is planned from July 2013 onwards and will be available for existing customers.

EskoWorld

EskoWorld, an annual users’ conference, is open to any company that has Esko solutions or has signed a purchase order for scheduled solution delivery. EskoWorld 2012 was the largest EskoWorld ever, with about 600 attendees, and EskoWorld 2013 is expected to be even larger. The release of Suite 12.1 during this important event gives attendees a head start on understanding all of the benefits the update will offer.

Esko announces worldwide availability of ArtiosCAD Enterprise

webmaster@esko.com (Esko) — Wed, 22 May 2013 11:53:00 +0200

Ghent (Belgium), May 21, 2013 – Esko announces the worldwide availability of ArtiosCAD Enterprise, the latest release of the world’s most popular structural packaging design software. With ArtiosCAD Enterprise, all assets are stored in a centralized — yet private — corporate database in the cloud. The Enterprise Database Server, powered by WebCenter, provides a secure web-accessible database in the cloud and project management engine. It enables dynamic on-line collaboration between design groups, CAD and graphic designers, suppliers, brand owners and production. The ArtiosCAD Enterprise client enriches WebCenter projects with all the CAD-specific metadata, like geometry and materials, so that all details about the packaging project are captured and managed from beginning to end.

“ArtiosCAD offers users to access a secure enterprise database from the cloud, with project management features that help to control every job,” explains Richard Deroo, Esko Product Manager, Structural Design. “It also adds features to assist with project efficiency, including design request forms that help to quickly communicate new jobs, and dashboards that help to monitor project effectiveness.”

With the ArtiosCAD Enterprise database, users can save any file type—all accessible from an ArtiosCAD client or web browser. All valuable corporate assets such as CAD files, customer lists, projects, specs, and bills of materials are available anywhere from a centralized common, secure, database. Data files can be quickly searched, filtering on any metadata. Most important, ArtiosCAD Enterprise assures the database delivers the most up to date and immediate files.

“The thought of making a mistake with a file keeps people awake at night,” says Kenneth Miess, Senior Packaging Engineer, Victory Packaging. “If an artist is working on an older file, and it isn’t caught, printing plates could be made, sheets printed, and when you discover the graphics don’t match, you’ve run tens of thousands of sheets. Before we had ArtiosCAD Enterprise, if we manufactured an item at a local facility, we would keep the drawings on site. If we were working with a large CPG national account, we could be manufacturing locally in New York and California. Without safeguards and communication, differences could creep in, due to modifications initiated by either facility. We needed one centralized system that guaranteed only one drawing, which is what we have with ArtiosCAD Enterprise. Now, our artists and packaging engineers work with the same current and authorized online documents.”

““Before Stora Enso Packaging made the investment in ArtiosCAD Enterprise, each job would go through a linear approval process with every stakeholder. This potentially added weeks to the time from concept to completion. Now everyone involved can access the project immediately,” comments Andis Skujenieks, Baltics Sales and Marketing Manager for Stora Enso Packaging. “As a result, we can handle a greater number of jobs and complete them more cost efficiently.”

ArtiosCAD Enterprise provides easy to use on-line dashboards with real-time feedback about project status, due dates, samples needed and other parameters. Users can also easily search and export data to Excel spreadsheets, enabling them to create their own custom reports, with no data entry required. The search criteria can be saved for simple one-button reporting when needed. This assures instant response to current workload, project status and completed work.

With its project management, ArtiosCAD Enterprise can store all project assets in the central database, organized in folders. From there a designated administrator can manage group responsibilities, easily distributing tasks to others, even based on the current load. Users can quickly see what tasks are allocated to their departments. Automatic email notifications/updates also can be sent to project members, suppliers or other outside agencies—for example, when a change is made.

With online web-based design request forms capturing all relevant job data, ArtiosCAD Enterprise can automate and streamline project creation and improve the communication between sales and design departments. It helps deliver quicker response time and transparency of design requests, project status, and resource load. It also reduces errors due to miscommunicated specifications.

ArtiosCAD Enterprise is a scalable solution. Single location users can increase productivity with a process-driven workflow, reducing the number of data entry points. Larger global accounts benefit from the online, secure, central database that delivers instant access to centralized corporate design assets from any location.

ArtiosCAD Enterprise is currently available from resellers and direct sales representatives throughout the world.

Sessions

webmaster@esko.com (Esko) — Mon, 06 May 2013 12:06:00 +0200

Agenda

Morning: Plenary Sessions

10:10 - 10:40	Printed Packaging in a world going Digital
	At drupa 2012, we saw the graphics arts industry in accelerated transformation. At the show, print professionals have experienced a wide range of new solutions and technologies that create unique value propositions for their customers. Successful companies have in the meantime implemented some of these technologies. The change process forces you to look at your company from a distance and also re-engineer your business processes. Jan De Roeck, Marketing Manager at Esko, will look together with you which new print solutions have surfaced, how they can create added value for your business and how Esko can be your partner in turning opportunity into reality.
	Jan De Roeck, Director Solutions Management

10:40-11:10	Color Communication – Verbal vs. Instrumental
	Guest speaker: Sandor Tatrai, Sales Manager Scandinavia X-Rite/Pantone

Product Sessions

11:20 - 12:10	What's new in the world of high-quality flexography
	HD Flexo has been a synonym for supreme flexo quality for some years now. See how Full HD Flexo raises the bar once more.
	Bo Bengtson, EMEA - FIQ Engineer

Or	Interactive Applications: future roadmap
	Future developments of ArtPro, DeskPack, PackEdge, Plato, ...
	Ishu Khurana, Application Sales Manager

Or	ArtiosCAD roadmap
	We will present the roadmap of ArtiosCAD: 2D and 3D Design tools, including recent developments and new features to come.
	Jan De Roeck, Director Solutions Management Egil Hjelle, Application Engineer

13:10 - 14:00	Plateroom Automation: the Digital Flexo Suite
	Realize significant cost savings through the automation of the flexo plate production. The Digital Flexo Suite is a collection of Esko tools, designed especially to improve efficiency in the flexo plate room.
	Bo Bengtson, EMEA - FIQ Engineer

Or	Packaging workflow automation with Automation Engine 12
	Automation Engine sets a new standard for prepress workflow automation. It is a modular workflow server with dynamic workflows that are easy to set up and operate.Find out how an automated workflow will increase your efficiency and throughput. See for yourself how Automation Engine is an exceptional answer to the daily challenges of print professionals who need to increase quality, reduce errors and drive cost out of the process.
	Dries Vandenbussche, Product Manager Server Platforms

Or	Boost your ArtiosCAD through integration with your business system
	Experience how ArtiosCAD Enterprise is built for your business challenges and learn how it can be connected with your business system for a smart and error free production workflow.
	Ishu Khurana, Application Sales Manager Egil Hjelle, Application Engineer

14:10 - 15:00	Do you control your packaging or does it control you?
	Today, brand owners & retailers are striving to achieve efficiencies & drive innovation in an increasingly diverse, global and heavily outsourced packaging process. Many stakeholders combined with an ever increasing number of product variants, and markets, makes for a very challenging mix. Esko integrates packaging solutions that allow you to leverage the power of your supply chain. At the same time you gain visibility and control over the process.
	Jan De Roeck, Director Solutions Management

Or	Business Automation: integrate MIS with your prepress workflow
	Order administration and prepress capacity should not limit the growth of your business. To stay ahead, integrating your business software with your automated prepress workflow and/or CAD solution is just the ticket to tangible business growth!
	Dries Vandenbussche, Product Manager Server Platforms

Or	From marketing mockup to short run production
	Get an update on the latest developments in digital finishing and learn how it can extend your business opportunities
	Tom Erik Naess, Senior Product Manager Andreas Hörnfeldt, Stora Enso Re-Board, Managing Director

15:30 - 16:20	Predictable brand colors everywhere
	Printing accurate brand colors often proves tricky on the wide range of materials used in packaging. Color consistency, predictability and repeatability demand a well-integrated color management solution. PantoneLIVE is a revolutionary cloud based database of over 230,000 packaging inks, modeled on many packaging substrates. PantoneLIVE brings standardized, predictable, repeatable color management to all actors in the packaging supply chain.
	Harald Weiss, Solution Architect

Or	WebCenter, a true packaging management solution
	WebCenter is a unique and powerful web-based platform that manages pre-production approval and project life cycle. Webcenter has packaging at its core. It understands all aspects of successful packaging: its shape, the importance of brand colors and it offers control of all necessary content. Webcenter allows you to manage all the complexities of creating packaging: from specification, design and execution. This management solution makes it easy to classify and organize all your packaging assets.
	Ishu Khurana, Application Sales Manager

Or	Automate your large format printing workflow
	Streamline your large format printing workflow! Eliminate errors, save time, reduce waste and optimize performance with i-cut Automate. Meeting your customer’s needs can be challenging as delivery times are often the same day. Automating your prepress workflow is a good way to produce more efficiently.
	Dries Vandenbussche, Product Manager Server Platforms

Agenda

webmaster@esko.com (Esko) — Mon, 06 May 2013 12:00:00 +0200

Plenary Sessions

09.30	Reception coffee

10.00-10.10	Welcome Note
	Karsten Nygård, Regional Business Manager North-East Europe

10.10-10.40	Printed Packaging in a world going Digital
	Jan De Roeck, Director Solutions Management

10.40-11.10	Color Communication – Verbal vs. Instrumental
	Guest speaker: Sandor Tatrai, Sales Manager Scandinavia X-Rite/Pantone

Product Sessions

	Meeting room 1	Meeting room 2	Meeting room 3
11.20 - 12.10	What's new in the world of high-quality flexography Bo Bengtson, EMEA - FIQ Engineer	Interactive Applications: Future roadmap Ishu Khurana, Application Sales Manager	ArtiosCAD roadmap Jan De Roeck, Director Solutions Management Egil Hjelle, Application Engineer

12.10 - 13.10	Lunch Break

13.10 - 14.00	Plateroom automation: the Digital Flexo Suite Bo Bengtson, EMEA - FIQ Engineer	Packaging Workflow Automation with Automation Engine 12 Dries Vandenbussche Product Mgr. Server Platforms	Boost your ArtiosCAD through integration with your business system Ishu Khurana, Application Sales Manager Egil Hjelle, Application Engineer

14.10 - 15.00	Do you control your packaging, or does it control you? Jan De Roeck, Director Solutions Management	Business Automation: Integrate MIS with your prepress workflow Dries Vandenbussche Product Mgr. Server Platforms	From marketing mockup to short run production Tom Erik Naess, Senior Product Manager Andreas Hörnfeldt, Stora Enso Re-Board, Managing Director

15.00 - 15.30	Coffee Break

15.30 - 16.20	Predictable Brand Colors everywhere Harald Weiss, Solution Architect	WebCenter, a true packaging management solution Ishu Khurana, Application Sales Manager	Automate your large format printing workflow Dries Vandenbussche, Product Manager Server Platforms

EskoWorld Helsingborg

webmaster@esko.com (Esko) — Mon, 06 May 2013 11:57:00 +0200

EskoWorld Helsingborg starts with registration and coffee at 09:30 and plenary sessions at 10:00.

After lunch we continue with 4 information slots to close at 16:30. For the afternoon we invite you to create your personal agenda by choosing between 3 parallel topics for each information slot.

Check out the agenda and session descriptions to decide on your personal program:

This event is free of charge.

Esko presents results that make you smile at FESPA Digital 2013

webmaster@esko.com (Esko) — Thu, 02 May 2013 17:11:00 +0200

Ghent (Belgium), 2 May 2013 – FESPA Digital 2013 attendees can discover how to create higher-impact products and streamline their sign and display production workflow by visiting the Esko stand, F35S (www.esko.com). The exhibition is being staged at the ExCel London Exhibition Centre from June 25 to 29, where the company will showcase its broad range of software and hardware solutions.

Seamlessly integrated solutions for streamlined production

A major advantage of Esko’s solutions is their seamless integration in to any sign and display production chain. At the show the company will be demonstrating its flagship Kongsberg i-XP24 cutting table, as well as its i-cut Suite prepress and workflow software, and ArtiosCAD and Studio software for structural and 3D design.

“We’ll be showing visitors how easily our solutions can be integrated into any sign and display production environment and deliver immediate results,” says Armand Gougay, Esko Vice President EMEA. “By adding Esko solutions to their production line, customers will not only create a smoother, faster operation – the increase in quality will help establish them as a preferred supplier in their market.”

Kongsberg: a cut above other tables

Esko will demonstrate its best-selling Kongsberg XP24 cutting table at FESPA Digital. It delivers unsurpassed quality on a divers range of substrates. The table is equipped with i-cut Vision pro, the benchmark for camera-based registration systems, a heavy-duty milling unit and multiple quick-change cutting tools, allowing users to easily handle a wide range of materials and applications.

“Esko Kongsberg tables are so popular in the sign and display sector because they’re reliable, precise and can be used on the widest range of applications and materials,” continues Gougay.

Letting software do the hard work

Esko will have three dedicated workstations at its stand, with specialists on hand to demonstrate to delegates how the company’s software can address the specific challenges they’re facing.

Esko’s latest version of i-cut Suite will also be on display. This integrated prepress and workflow offering streamlines the entire sign and display manufacturing process, from design to print to cut. It takes care of preflight and layout files before they go to print and then to digital finishing in one seamless flow.

Esko unveils a new level of Automation at the show. It adds a range of new, intelligent automation functions. For example, the sign and display workflow templates make it fast and easy for users to get up and running. Meanwhile the gang run printing feature is a queuing mechanism that manages all different substrates and sizes. Based on nesting algorithms, different sheets are created and filled up, using criteria such as material and required quantities. Operators remain in control and can force output at any time. Esko´s workflow automation also integrates easily with a wide range of business systems.

Also highlighted at the show will be Suite 12 and ArtiosCAD software, which help create a more efficient and creative production process and enables users to add value in terms of structural design.

Meanwhile the rich 3D functionality offered by Esko’s Studio software allows users to create and edit realistic sign and display visualizations ‘in a retail context’, ensuring a faster approval, QA and production process.

“Esko software is all about giving sign and display producers the functionality they need to eliminate prepress and workflow bottlenecks,” says Gougay: “In such a competitive market, sign and display companies are looking for ways to optimize their processes and workflows. Esko software is the answer. Our solutions make a tangible difference and can dramatically improve a business’ production environment.”

Sharing knowledge

For the third year running, FESPA has chosen Esko as its exclusive Global Software and Finishing Partner. Esko will reveal what can be achieved with the right solutions in place at its Software Theatre. Esko will be hosting an Expert Lounge, where the company’s application experts will discuss the commercial opportunities that can be exploited using its Kongsberg tables. They’ll also be answering questions from visitors to help them overcome the specific obstacles their businesses are facing.

Throughout the show Esko will highlight an array of samples produced using different materials and applications, and printed by the company’s many large-format print equipment partners.

“Our sign and display portfolio is always evolving to meet the needs of this fast-paced industry,” concludes Gougay. “By working closely with our partners and customers, our research and development team continues to develop solutions that are making a real difference to how sign and display businesses operate. Our Kongsberg tables, for example, are the finishing systems of choice because options start at the iXE10 platform and go right up to the fully automated XP Auto. As a result, we can meet the needs of even the most demanding customers.

“Also, the seamless integration of our hardware and software solutions gives our customers valuable peace of mind. They know they can make a highly effective change to the business without any costly upheaval. And that’s exactly what Esko does; delivering customers results that make them smile.”

Esko releases Full HD Flexo for flexible packaging

webmaster@esko.com (Esko) — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 09:56:00 +0200

Gent (Belgium), April 26, 2013 – In the quest for quality, until now the combination of smooth highlight printing and gravure-like solid ink densities for flexible packaging remained difficult. Esko, who significantly improved flexo platemaking with its HD Flexo technology, now provides a crucial answer by releasing Full HD Flexo for flexible packaging. First introduced at drupa 2012, Full HD Flexo today is a proven technology, implemented at more than twenty flexo tradeshops and converters worldwide – all of whom confirm the outstanding benefits of this technology.

”With Full HD Flexo, Esko once more raises the standard. Esko flexo customers are asking for the combination of the benefits of HD Flexo together with a gravure-like ink laydown and a fully digitally controlled platemaking workflow. This is what Full HD Flexo brings and it moves flexo to an unseen level of quality and consistency with no need for compromises. Our unique, patented technology stretches the possibilities of flexo printing, allowing it to perfectly match gravure and offset quality for flexible packaging,” explains Jürgen Andresen, Esko Vice President, Flexo Business. “Since the introduction of HD Flexo, the high quality results achieved have created a growing demand for more packaging and labels to be printed in flexo. Also the proven sustainability and cost benefits contributed to the raising success of flexo printing. Now, Full HD Flexo will help to further accelerate this demand.”

No need for compromises

HD Flexo quickly has set new standards thanks to the fine highlights, transitions to zero, sharp text and brilliant image details it produces. Full HD Flexo adds gravure-like solid ink laydown of the correct solid density, along with vibrant brand colors, supreme platemaking consistency and the only fully digitally controlled platemaking workflow available in industry.

The unique Full HD Flexo dot shape delivers a superior flexo plate suitable for the highlight, shadow and solid areas of a print job. “We went beyond the binary discussion of flat top or round top dots, and created the best possible combination of print dot structures on one plate. This enables to differentiate the ink laydown on the substrate for different parts of the artwork on one single plate. This is a giant step forward for flexible packaging converters as the result is high quality flexible packaging that stands out. In addition, users report better performance of the flexo plate on the press for print consistency and printing speeds," explains Jan Buchweitz, Senior Product Manager Digital Flexo at Esko.

Customer Successes

Over 20 customers worldwide are running production using the new Full HD Flexo technology today. DFTA-Award winner Glatz Klischee (Austria), specialist in packaging prepress as well as plate production for flexo printing and plate assembly for corrugated board, is particularly positive about Full HD Flexo. "We’ve achieved a quantum leap forward in flexo printing,” says Manfred Schrattenthaler, Managing Director at Glatz Klischee. "In the first printing tests using the new Full HD Flexo plates, we had the ‘luxury problem’ of solid densities over a density of 2.0,” reports Holger Stier, Technology Manager at Glatz Klischee. “This was completely unexpected with the fine anilox rollers used. The tests proved that the option of combining flat top and round top dots technology on one printing form offers previously unheard opportunities in high-quality flexo printing.”

Clicherlux, based in Valinhos near São Paulo (Brazil), is one of the largest tradeshops offering the most flexo plate services in Latin America. “I can say we have reached the quality of offset printing, with no gain, or bump-up curves. Full HD Flexo is really producing the full tonal range from highlights to shadows. An Esko CDI digital flexo imager along with Full HD Flexo is the best combination in the market,” comments Luciano Trombeta, Gerente Técnico. “We’re getting the flat top dots we wanted in the shadows, along with great screens in the highlights.”

Fully digital platemaking workflow – the one and only

“Esko offers a plate imaging process that is truly, completely digital: one integrated workflow from prepress right to the finished flexo plate. A Full HD Flexo CDI in combination with our digital back exposure solution goes beyond the analog compromises platemaking departments must make today,” states Buchweitz.

Unlike other processes that require intermediate analogue or manual exposure steps, this is the first and only fully digital platemaking workflow in the industry. Full HD plates are prepared completely within an Esko CDI imager and are immediately ready for processing after unloading.

How does Full HD Flexo work?

The CDI combines plate imaging with inline digital main exposure in one and the same device. The digital Inline UV2 exposes through an LED-array light source delivering the necessary UV power density to assure full control over the polymerization process during exposure. All UV exposure settings are digital controlled within the platemaking workflow. This guarantees platemaking consistency – long-term stable and repeatable quality well beyond what is achievable with conventional UV exposure frames.

Freedom to choose

Full HD Flexo works with all popular digital flexo plates and sleeves, giving users the freedom to choose whatever plate best fits their business needs. The technology can be achieved thanks to the quality of a broad range of commonly used digital flexo plates from different brands, including DuPont, Flint, MacDermid, Asahi and others. Esko continues to expand the portfolio of supported plates.

Full HD Flexo Certification

To support this new technology, Esko will initiate a Full HD Flexo certification program for customers, vendors and partners – similar to the one in place for HD Flexo. The Full HD Flexo Certified seal is only offered to those companies that have passed Esko's strenuous certification tests, a rigorous process that requires expert inspection of different print samples from five different customer production jobs that have been printed consistently. Full HD Flexo Certified companies are able to differentiate their solutions from their competition. The certification is a strong marketing asset, offering print buyers more confidence that its tradeshop and printer is among the best in its field, constantly innovating to offer the very best in flexo quality.

Availability

Understanding that Esko takes ownership for the end result of its Full HD Flexo solution, an Esko services program accompanies implementation of the entire solution from prepress to the printed results. Esko has the experience and the skills in house to successfully implement full HD Flexo within existing production environments.

Full HD Flexo for flexible packaging is available worldwide. Existing customers can upgrade their software, workflow and CDI equipment to Full HD Flexo. The Full HD Flexo application support for labels and corrugated printing will be available later this year

Esko’s solutions showcased at China Print 2013

webmaster@esko.com (Esko) — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 10:55:00 +0200

Ghent (Belgium), April 2013 – Esko’s (www.esko.com) array of solutions, designed to help print and packaging operations maximize the opportunities generated by the fast growing Chinese market , will be the highlight of its presence at China Print on stand E2-090. The 8th Beijing International Printing Technology Exhibition will run from May 14 to May 18 at the New China Exhibition Center, Beijing.

“While the economy of Europe and North America has been hit by the global economic slowdown, China and South East Asia have continued to grow,” explains Chris Miller, Esko Vice President China. “Driving this is a rapidly growing middle class that is now more likely to buy branded goods. As such, brand owners are relying on local operations to meet shorter turnaround times while maintaining consistently high quality results. This is required to develop customer recognition and foster long term loyalty.”

Visitors to the Esko stand at China Print will discover how Esko solutions for brand execution, packaging prepress, digital flexo and digital finishing add value to their business needs. They can also learn more about Esko's Suite 12 during a press conference the company will host on May 16^th, from 13h00-15h00 at the Crown Plaza, Beijing International Airport. In addition, Esko will share its expertise in digital flexo together with their partners Dupont, Tesa and Siegwerk, to be presented at the Flexo4all seminar on May 14th at 14h30, in Conference room W101 at the Exhibition Centre

Esko solutions on display

Among Esko's solutions presented at China Print is Suite 12, a major release of Esko's software portfolio that offers new productivity and efficiency benefits particularly for packaging, label, sign making and display industries. It also adds rich 3D functionality for a holistic experience and enables mobile collaboration and web-based management workflows. Featuring release 12 of Automation Engine, Color Engine, Studio, WebCenter and the flagship editors ArtiosCAD, PackEdge, ArtPro and DeskPack, Esko's Suite 12 raises the bar for process integration from design to press, involving all players in the supply chain.

Also presented are Esko's unique Digital Flexo solutions. Continuously innovating its portfolio, Esko upgrades flexo print quality to previously unseen levels and streamlines all steps of the plate making process from prepress to mounting. The CDI Spark 2530 digital imager dedicated to label, folding carton and small volume flexo plate producers will be on display on Esko's stand. In addition, a CDI Spark 4260 digital imager that combines larger size plates and impressive productivity with an entry-level price, is showcased with Huaguang, a Chinese flexo plate company, on stand E2-240. Also Esko's next-generation HD Flexo technology is demonstrated, an innovative solution for making digital flexo plates that offers a valid alternative for offset and gravure.

Another focus will be Esko’s digital finishing solutions: the market leading Kongsberg tables for the digital finishing of a wide range of applications in packaging, display and sign making; completed with integrated software solutions for structural design – ArtiosCAD; digital finishing workflow – i-cut Suite and Automation Engine; and web-based project management – WebCenter. The Kongsberg XN24, a highly versatile and productive digital finishing table that can be configured easily for the widest range of different applications, will be on display with Esko as well as with its partner Fujifilm (stand E4-016). This new table, introduced at drupa 2012, comes with the powerful milling spindle MultiCUT HP that boosts overall milling productivity. In addition, a Kongsberg XP24 table is showcased on the booth of Esko's partner HP (stand E1-001).

“One of the main benefits of our solutions is the ability to upgrade as demand dictates,” concludes Miller. “This allows our customers to invest in what they need but also to grow at a pace that matches their customers’ requirements. This not only ensures maximum flexibility but offers a cost effective approach that aids profitability.”

Victory Packaging uses ArtiosCAD Enterprise to connect 56 locations

webmaster@esko.com (Esko) — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 11:48:00 +0200

Structural design software ArtiosCAD Enterprise allows 30 packaging engineers -spread out over the USA - to work as one team. Victory Packaging meets all packaging production challenges head on.

Complete accessibility

As a cloud-based solution, ArtiosCAD Enterprise captures all of the data relevant to a project in a web-accessible database that is both mobile and instantly available. This database holds the customers’ corporate assets in one centralized location that is always accessible to all of the converter’s operating sites. The data on the server is always the latest version. Contact an ArtiosCAD Enterprise specialist.

The level of accessibility and file verification offered is critical to Victory Packaging, an end-to-end packaging solutions provider with 56 locations scattered throughout North America.

Work as a single unit

At Victory Packaging, it’s not location that decides what project an engineer will work on. That decision is based on an engineer’s particular skill set. The geographic dispersion of the staff makes the ability to collaborate and the instantaneous access to updated files extremely important in the company’s success. Read the full story here.

A central, shared database brings answers

ArtiosCAD Enterprise’s central, shared database easily allows for collaboration among multiple designers on the same project. The WAN solution allows for corporate to have transparency and immediate access to all projects, despite the reality that there are no engineers on site.

“The power of having a reliable central database means we are assured of the integrity of the data that we keep for the entire corporation; especially with the web-centered position of the database,” says Kenneth Miess, Senior Packaging Engineer, Victory Packaging.

Read the ArtiosCAD Enterprise brochure or contact an ArtiosCAD Enterprise specialist.

Esko expands digital flexo sales & service in Turkey

webmaster@esko.com (Esko) — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 08:56:00 +0200

Ghent (Belgium), April 2013 – Esko is aiming to promote exceptional high quality flexo printing and expand its Turkish customer base by partnering with leading equipment & consumable specialist Dereli Graphic (www.dereligraphic.com). The new agreement includes the sales and distribution of Esko's CDI (Cyrel Digital Imager) range and HD Flexo technology.

“Dereli Graphic is a highly respected supplier of flexo and offset printing solutions in Turkey,” comments Mustafa Salur, Esko’s General Manager Turkey & Turkic Republics. “Esko has spent a lot of time and investment in creating highly modular and scalable solutions that can meet the needs of any operation. We believe our solutions bring a great deal of added value to the rapidly changing Turkish flexo market."

“Brands are looking to produce high quality, short-run work to increase differentiation while printers are keen to diversify into higher value markets. They need to be supported by versatile equipment that helps achieve a fast return on investment. It's the culmination of all these elements that drove us to partner with Dereli,” he continues. “Dereli has a long-standing history as well respected service organization. By working together, we can reach a greater number of potential customers and introduce them to more profitable ways of working.”

Ahmet Uzun, Dereli Graphic’s General Manager, adds: “We are delighted to be extending our portfolio of solutions with Esko’s broad range of systems. Esko is a well-known and trusted supplier with equipment designed to help companies of all sizes across many industries. They also invest heavily in research and development, enabling customers to grow their business while being fully supported by upgradeable solutions.”

Ghent (Belçika), Nisan 2013 – Esko firması, sektörün ileri gelen ekipman ve sarf malzemeleri tedarikçisi Dereli Grafik (www.dereligraphic.com) ile kurduğu distribütörlük anlaşması sayesinde kaliteli flekso baskı hizmetlerini geliştirmeyi ve Türkiye'deki müşteri tabanını genişletmeyi amaçlıyor. Yeni anlaşma, Esko'nun CDI (Cyrel Digital Imager) - Dijital Flekso CtP sistemlerini ve HD Flekso teknolojisinin satış ve servisini kapsıyor.

"Dereli Grafik, Türkiye'de büyük saygı gören bir flekso ve ofset baskı çözümleri tedarikçisi," diyor Esko Türkiye ve Türki Cumhuriyetler Genel Müdürü Mustafa Salur. "Esko, tüm firmaların ihtiyaçlarını karşılayan yüksek modülerlik ve ölçeklenebilirliğe sahip çözümler oluşturmak için çok zaman harcadı ve büyük yatırımlar yaptı. Çözümlerimizin, hızla değişen Türkiye flekso pazarında daha yaygın hale geleceğini ve sektörde daha fazla firmaya büyük katma değer getireceğine inanıyoruz."

"Marka sahibi firmalar öne çıkabilmek için yüksek kaliteli, düşük tirajlı işler ürettirmek isterken, matbaacılar daha yüksek değerli pazarlara girmek istiyorlar. Hızlı yatırım getirisine ulaşmalarına yardımcı olacak, çok yönlü ekipmanlarla desteklenmeye ihtiyaç duyuyorlar. Dereli'yle işbirliği yapma kararımızda bu faktörler etkili oldu," diyor. "Dereli, güçlü bir servis organizasyonu olmasının yanı sıra köklü bir geçmişe de sahip. Birlikte çalışarak, çok daha fazla sayıda potansiyel müşteriye ulaşabilecek ve onlara daha kârlı çalışma yöntemlerini gösterebileceğiz."

Dereli Grafik Genel Müdürü Ahmet Uzun şöyle ekliyor: "Esko'nun çok geniş ürün yelpazesiyle çözüm portföyümüzü genişletmekten büyük memnuniyet duyuyoruz. Esko, ölçeği ne olursa olsun birçok sektörde (etiket, karton ambalaj, esnek ambalaj, oluklu, grafik ve tasarım, açıkhava reklamcılığı) tüm şirketlere yardımcı olmak için tasarlanmış ekipman ve yazılımlarıyla yakinen bilinen, yenilikçi ve güvenilir bir tedarikçi. Ayrıca araştırma ve geliştirme faaliyetlerine önemli yatırımlar yapıyorlar. Ürünlerini güncellenebilir çözümlerle destekleyerek, müşterilerinin işlerini büyütmelerine, yarının yatırımlarını bugünden yapmalarına yardımcı oluyorlar.

Sign & Digital UK

webmaster@esko.com (Esko) — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 16:29:00 +0200

Do new print jobs spend longer in your Artwork and Repro departments than on the press?

If so, come and see Esko's pre-flight, artwork approval and automated workflow for Sign and Display.

Much more than the best cutting tables in the world.

Register for FREE ENTRY

Webinar: Wide Format Digital Finishing, a Business Perspective

webmaster@esko.com (Esko) — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 15:48:00 +0200

Webinar: Wide Format Digital Finishing, a Business Perspective

What will you learn?
• Break the finishing bottleneck
• Evolve your business model
• Produce higher margin products
• From a CEO perspective

Presenters
KINGMAN LEUNG Pyramid Printing and Graphics, President
SIMON BELTRAN Prisma Graphic, President
MIKE SAVALIA Inkovation, Co-Owner

Duration
45 Minutes

When?
Wednesday, April 24, 2013 at 2:00 PM ET | 1:00 PM CT | 12:00 PM MT | 11:00 AM PT

Register here

GS1 ratifies new content standard for packaging artwork

webmaster@esko.com (Esko) — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 15:00:00 +0200

Graphics, logos, barcodes, ingredient information, formulae and marketing slogans… They are an intricate part of a great deal of packaging.

These graphical and text elements frequently pass between different people (designers, the legal department, prepress professionals…) before ending up on a label or on a package.

This creates a very complex, and hard to manage, environment that involves a lot of manual copy and paste work.

The alternative for manual copy/paste actions would be a standard way of communicating packaging content. This standard way of working shortens design time, improves quality and efficiency. This is what the GS1 Collaborative Packaging Artwork Solution aims to achieve.

About the GS1 Collaborative Packaging Artwork Solution

Working closely with leading brands, artwork studios and GS1, Esko took a leading role in the development of the new global GS1 XML standard. This is a standard XML-based language and process for efficient and error-free communication between brands and artwork studios.

With Dynamic Content, an Esko plug-in for Adobe Illustrator, the XML-structured data can be assigned to placeholders in a master packaging design. This reduces the risk that an operator makes an error dramatically.

To create the xml content in this standard format, brand owners can download the BMS (Business Message Standard) “Artwork Content and Response” from the GS1 website.

You can find more information in this brochure or you can contact a Dynamic Content specialist.

About GS1

GS1 -(Global Standards One www.gs1.org) is an international not-for-profit association with Member Organizations in over 100 countries. GS1 is dedicated to the design and implementation of global standards and solutions to improve the efficiency and visibility of supply and demand chains globally and across sectors. The GS1 system of standards is the most widely used supply chain standards system in the world. The best known example of such standards is the common EAN barcodes on consumer products.

GS1, ambalaj çizimleri için yeni içerik standardını onayladı

webmaster@esko.com (Esko) — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 15:00:00 +0200

Grafikler, logolar, barkodlar, içerik bilgileri, formüller ve pazarlama sloganları… Bunların hepsi, ambalajın vazgeçilmez bileşenleri.

Etiket veya ambalajda kullanılmadan önce, bu grafik veya metin öğeleri sık sık farklı kişiler arasında gidip gelirler (tasarımcılar, hukuk departmanı, ön baskı uzmanları…). Bu durum, birçok manüel kopyalama ve yapıştırma işlemi gerektiren çok karmaşık, zor yönetilen bir sürece neden olur.

Manüel kopyalama/yapıştırma işlemlerinin alternatifi, ambalaj içeriğinin iletilmesi için standart bir yol belirlenmesidir. Bu standart çalışma yöntemi tasarım süresini kısaltır, kaliteyi ve verimliliği artırır. GS1 İşbirlikçi Ambalaj Çizim Çözümünün ulaşmayı hedeflediği nokta budur.

GS1 İşbirlikçi Ambalaj Çizim Çözümü Hakkında

Lider markalar, çizim stüdyoları ve GS1 ile yakın işbirliği kuran Esko, yeni global GS1 XML standardının geliştirilmesinde öncülük rolünü üstlendi. Bu, markalar ve çizim stüdyoları arasında etkili ve hatasız iletişim için standart XML tabanlı bir dil ve süreç.

Esko’nun Adobe Illustrator eklentisi olan Dynamic Content sayesinde, XML yapılı verilere ana ambalaj tasarımında yer belirleyiciler atanabiliyor. Bu durum, operatörlerin hata yapma riskini önemli ölçüde azaltıyor.

Bu standart formatta xml içerikler oluşturmak için, marka sahipleri GS1 internet sitesinden BMS (Business Message Standard) “Artwork Content and Response” indirebiliyorlar.

Daha fazla bilgiyi bu broşürde bulabilir ya da bir Dynamic Content uzmanına danışabilirsiniz.

GS1 hakkında

GS1 -(Global Standards One www.gs1.org) 100’den fazla ülkede Üye Organizasyonlara sahip, kâr amacı gütmeyen uluslararası bir kuruluştur. GS1, küresel ölçekte ve sektörler arasında arz ve talep zincirlerinin verimliliğini ve görünürlüğünü artırmak için, küresel standartlar ve çözümlerin tasarlanması ve hayata geçirilmesi için çalışmaktadır. GS1 standart sistemi, dünyanın en çok kullanılan tedarik zinciri standart sistemidir. Bu standartların en iyi bilinen örneği, tüketici ürünlerinde kullanılan EAN barkodlarıdır.

Sign Serigrafia Brasil

webmaster@esko.com (Esko) — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 10:55:00 +0200

Venha visitar nosso stand na Sign Serigrafia de 10 a 13 de Julho, no Expo center norte, SP, Brasil.

Traremos uma mesa de corte Kongsberg XP, a maquina mais rapida do mundo para acabamento e corte e muito mais sobre nossas soluções em Software!!

Label Summit Latin America 2013

webmaster@esko.com (Esko) — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 10:32:00 +0200

Venha visitar a Esko na Label Summit no Hotel Transamérica, São Paulo, durante 14-15 maio. O maior evento para a indústria de impressão de etiquetas e embalagem na América Latina.

Não perca nossas apresentações e saiba mais sobre nossas soluções:

Automation Engine
WebCenter
Studio
E muito mais...

Esko donates packaging technology to RIT

webmaster@esko.com (Esko) — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 10:23:00 +0200

Miamisburg, OH (USA) April 2013 – Esko (www.esko.com), long known for its steadfast commitment to education within the graphic arts community, has donated a suite of packaging software and hardware to Rochester (N.Y.) Institute of Technology’s College of Applied Science and Technology.

The technology, which includes ArtiosCAD structural design software, a Kongsberg XL-24 digital finishing table with iSight, DeskPack prepress plug-ins, Equinox color technology for extended gamut printing, and Suite 12 pre-production software with Studio 3D packaging design tools, will be used in RIT’s Packaging Science BS and MS program as well as faculty research projects.

The highly touted Packaging Science program, the result of a long and close collaboration between RIT and the packaging industry, looks to school students in current packaging workflows, preparing them for jobs in packaging development, structural design, marketing, research, sales, purchasing, and production.

The Esko toolkit was delivered in December 2011, installed in January 2012. Following installation and training, the software and Kongsberg table were implemented into the fall curriculum. “Many of the classes that were planning to use the toolkit were not offered spring semester; we were also trying to make sure we were using the technology to its fullest,” says Tom Kausch, who manages the Packaging Dynamics and Materials Laboratories and is a lecturer for the Packaging Science program. Plans are in the works for a full-fledged Esko technology lab, spotlighting the company’s contribution not only to the school, but to the packaging industry as well.

Highest quality level of tools

“All of our packaging courses utilize Esko tools in one way or another,” says Kausch. “Now with these wonderful tools, our faculty can do more with the students, using the software for structural and graphic design, for example. We’ve never had the quality of tools we have today.”

The technology is used for a broad swath of courses in the Packaging Science program, from Computer Applications, where students learn package design and layout and make prototypes using ArtiosCAD and Adobe^® Illustrator^®, to Flexible Containers to Packaging for Distribution.

In the course, Packaging for End Use, designed as a capstone course for the BS program, students learn how to design optimal packaging systems to meet the needs of the retailer and the consumer. Using ArtiosCAD, along with Illustrator^® and Adobe^® Photoshop^®, students redesign existing primary packages – including the graphics – and secondary corrugated package to present the most user-friendly sustainable package possible.

“The class is all hands-on; students are expected to design a package that would be new and conceptual as a requirement of the course,” says Kausch. “It lets students develop and prepare actual prototypes.”

One of the current projects in the class is an internal competition to redesign a laundry detergent container for a real brand owner, says Kausch. “The student teams present their concepts, created with Esko software, to the brand’s marketing department to see if they might be used for a real product,” says Kausch.

Real life dynamic compression and vibration tests

In the college’s Packaging Dynamics Laboratory, packages undergo simulated real life tests. ArtiosCAD and the Kongsberg table are used for mock-ups for the initial research on dynamic compression and vibration, to see what the package can withstand. “Basically we are a third-party testing lab for these packages,” says Kausch. “We use the findings for research as well as for setting up recommendations we will present to the packaging community.”

The Esko technology helps the packaging students unleash their creativity, a strong value at RIT. “The Kongsberg table was installed on a Monday,” recalls Kausch. “On Friday – with minimal training – they designed and cut out a gorilla using the table and stuck it to the wall; they named it KING KONG(sberg). Our students are very innovative and talented. You never know what you will see!”

Using the Esko tools, RIT students are participating in a number of national competitions, such as those held by the Paperboard Packaging Association and the Independent Corrugated Association.

Packaging Science students are also using Esko technology to find solutions to real world problems. “RIT will no longer be supplying bottled water on campus,” says Kausch. “Using Esko software, packaging students are involved in designing a flexible container to fill with water at ‘water filling stations’ throughout the campus. They are designing the container as well as the logo and graphics. The students are working with a company that will produce their design for whatever they come up with and are investigating whether or not to sell it in the campus store.”

“The ability to freely design and create designs and build real prototypes of packaging ideas is an extremely powerful learning tool for our students,” concludes Kausch. “Esko has been very generous to our program, and all at RIT will benefit greatly.”

Free XMP plug-in is compatible with Acrobat X and XI

webmaster@esko.com (Esko) — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 14:05:00 +0100

The free XMP plug-in for windows and Mac is compatible with Acrobat X and Acrobat XI.

Esko applications write a lot of additional information in the header of a Normalized PDF: the used inks with their characteristics, barcode information, all the linked images…

This XMP metadata can be viewed in Adobe^® Acrobat^® or in Adobe^® Reader with this free XMP plug-in. Now compatible with Acrobat X and Acrobat XI.

Download for Windows or Mac.

Hargrove Inc. elects to use the Esko Kongsberg and i-cut Suite digital finishing solutions for 2013 Presidential Inauguration displays

webmaster@esko.com (Esko) — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 15:06:00 +0100

Miamisburg, OH (USA), March 2013 – For the sixth consecutive time, and the 17th overall, Lanham, Maryland-based Hargrove, Inc. was selected as the official general services contractor for the Presidential Inaugural Committee, from January 20-21, 2013 at Washington, DC venues including the Walter E. Washington Convention Center and National Building Museum. For Obama's second inauguration, the trade show, exhibit, and event production company worked on the two official balls from the Presidential Inaugural Committee, the committee's candlelight dinner at the National Building Museum, the Kids Inaugural, the official parade floats, nine unofficial events, and the large volume of signage related to the inaugural activities. Hargrove managed an extensive variety of responsibilities including design, fabrication and production as well as management of all technical services (lighting, sound and video). And, nearly 43,000 square feet of the displays they created were finished using Esko´s digital finishing solution: the i-cut Suite layout software and the Kongsberg i-XL24 finishing system.

As one of the leading event, trade show and exhibit companies in the U.S., Hargrove has played a role in each inaugural since President Harry S. Truman’s second inaugural in 1949 and has served as the official general contractor since President Bill Clinton’s first inaugural in 1993. Hargrove is one of the top 12 event companies in the U.S., serving more than 1,000 tradeshows, events and exhibits each year.

“We created about 78,000 square feet of graphics that covered various stages and floats, printing different designs on a Vutek GS3200, a Scitex XLJET 1500 and a Roland SOLJET PRO4 XR-640,” comments Rush Zbir, Hargrove director of the graphics department. “More than half of them were sent to Esko´s Kongsberg table – everything from flat Presidential seals to 3D seals, logos, and cut-out shapes.

The biggest challenge? Hargrove did not have a signed contract until just before Christmas. It takes almost 3,000 man-hours to build eight floats. This year they had 20 days to put everything together, with close to 60,000 man hours. The turnaround time was even more significant when you consider that the company was also involved with eight other major projects and 75 regular projects, including a major corporate project and auto trade show. “We started ‘swinging a hammer’ just three weeks before all these materials were due,” notes Zbir. “We worked straight to the event. All 250 full-time employees get involved in the project, along with 70 temporary workers hired specifically to work on the inauguration. Our graphics department ran three shifts 24/7. Sixteen people were working seven days a week, and as many as 15 hours a day.

“We used more than 60,000 feet of lumber. We fabricated the wall and trim structures, and all of the ancillary design items for ballrooms. Most were finished using the one Kongsberg table,” adds David Flanery, Director of fabrications.

“Back in the day, we printed and cut all the materials by hand. We had 25 people on the floor manually putting printed vinyl materials onto the substrate and measuring how to get it cut. Now, without our Kongsberg table, we would have needed much more manpower. We’d have to employ twice as many temporary staff just to get the graphics produced,” says Aaron Capp, senior operator. “Our Kongsberg i-XL24 is the backbone of the graphics department. Everything has to be finished, and most pieces need a custom cut. They’re rarely square. We could not have gotten the job done without the system.”

“The Kongsberg table allows us to create more challenging graphics—for example, eight-foot dimensional seals, each with six to seven layers of different substrates with routed letters, aluminum and other materials,” says Christopher ‘Chewy’ Marcotte, Hargrove CNC operator. “Remember, everything has to be of production quality for television. The pieces are covered in muslin, and there cannot be any seams. The most intricate piece was the seal. We cut materials like Lexan, Dibond, Sintra, polycarbonates and acrylic. We work on many more complex materials than foam boards.”

“Every part of our company gets involved to create the Presidential seals. When the work is complete, nothing goes until everyone looks at each piece 100%,” adds Flanery. “Only then does it get packed into a truck. Inaugurals very special, and not everyone can get them done. Quality is ‘number one’ for an event like this.”

The cutting instructions themselves are created in Esko´s i-cut Suite Layout. “Before we had our cutting software, we were nesting our graphics in Adobe Illustrator,” remembers Zbir. “i-cut Layout sped the process up a lot. It has reduced file preflight by 75%. Now, we can do more in an eight-hour shift, and we can move from one project to another seamlessly.”

“Our client, the Presidential Inaugural Committee, was very happy. This is more than a project to Hargrove. Of course the turnaround is a challenge, but many of us have been involved in at least one. Hargrove has demonstrated that we have the dedication, history and expertise. We understand what it takes to do a successful job for them. This project translates to all of the other work we do,” concludes Lana Ostrander, Director, Marketing and Public Relations. “Last year was our biggest year. We managed three global summits, state and international events, and the Democratic National Convention. We produced 1.5 million square feet of graphics, which would cover 23 football fields – including the end zone. Starting with the Presidential Inauguration, 2013 looks to herald an extraordinary era for our company, and the Kongsberg table will continue to play an important role for us.”

About Hargrove, Inc. (www.hargroveinc.com)

Hargrove is a nationally renowned general contractor for trade shows, events and custom exhibits. From major industry trade shows to high profile, national events and custom exhibits that successfully drive revenues, Hargrove helps corporations, associations and organizations bring their vision to life with face-to-face experiences.

Hargrove offers its clients personalized service delivered with care by its exceptional team. The company, one of the top 3 general contractors in the U.S. and is considered a leader in creative solutions across its three sales divisions and continues to experience increased market share.

Hargrove uses dynamic creativity, unparalleled service and an unwavering focus on quality to create world-class trade shows, special events and custom exhibits for our clients. Our unique solutions are not only customized to meet each client’s specific needs and goals, but delivered by a dedicated team focused on success. At Hargrove, our customer’s success is our success.

Esko opens new office in Bangalore, India

webmaster@esko.com (Esko) — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 14:47:00 +0100

Ghent (Belgium), March 28, 2013 – Strong growth opportunities in South Asia, and in particular India, have prompted Esko (www.esko.com) to move to a new office in Bangalore, India. The new premise houses Esko's expanding Indian operation and has brand-new demo facilities. In presence of customers, Danaher representatives and members of the media, the new office was officially inaugurated on March 25^th by Esko's CEO Carsten Knudsen and other Esko Senior Executives.

“South Asia, and in particular India, have become buoyant and robust markets with a strong drive for automation, standardization and quality assurance," comments Hoshi Deboo, Esko’s Vice President Asia-Pacific. "Our growth in this market has continued to such an extent that the timing to move to larger premises is perfect. It puts us in a strong position to ensure that our customers are fully supported to make the most of today´s opportunities.”

Long-term commitment

Active in India since 1996, Esko has formed successful and longstanding relationships with leading companies such as Universal Print Systems, Shilp Gravures, Numex, Veepee, Britannia, Pragati, Acuprint, ITC, Parksons, TCPL, Positive Packaging to name a few. The company spent the first years focusing on developing commercial opportunities.

As Mr. Ambar Patel, Managing Director of customer Shilp Gravures states, looking back at the long relation with Esko: “We are very pleased to be associated with Esko since 1996 being their first customer in India when it was called Barco Graphics. There had been lot of developments over the years in Esko’s application software and we being all the time with them are the beneficiaries of this development. It helped us to grow in better way than our peers by providing our industry enhanced quality of gravure cylinders thanks to processing of jobs through Esko’s software. There is no comparison to the contribution from Esko to Shilp and to the industry as well. They have left competition way behind.”

Go for Growth

In 2007 Esko opened of the Global Resources Centre (GRC), and again new premises in Bangalore in 2009. Accommodating a growing team of software developers and application engineers, Esko's new office facilities now will enable to expand product engineering and prototyping, Systems Integration capabilities and E-Support services to customers around the world. The new premises host a full-featured customer training center where visitors can explore and get trained on Esko´s solutions and applications for the packaging, and sign and display markets, including a full featured Kongsberg digital finishing system demo center.

As part of the company's investment in the region, Esko is also dedicated to recruiting local expertise and adding new talent to strengthen the teams.

“There is a palpable air of optimism in the Indian market as major brand owners localise their production to meet the growing local consumer demands," comments CEO Mr. Carsten Knudsen. "Through our broad array of technologies, Esko can help print and packaging operations to deliver cost-effective, consistent and high-quality solutions. Opening new premises underpins our commitment to supporting businesses in the region as well as to our important and growing teams of global software development and support. We are confident that our local organisation will continue to contribute to the growing success of Esko.”

Structural design in the cloud

webmaster@esko.com (Esko) — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 14:42:00 +0100

Structural design software ArtiosCAD Enterprise allows 30 packaging engineers -spread out over the USA - to work as one team. Victory Packaging meets all packaging production challenges head on.

Complete accessibility

The level of accessibility and file verification offered is critical to Victory Packaging, an end-to-end packaging solutions provider with 56 locations scattered throughout North America.

Work as a single unit

A central, shared database brings answers

Read the ArtiosCAD Enterprise brochure or contact an ArtiosCAD Enterprise specialist.

Benefits of ArtiosCAD Enterprise

Centralized storage
Everybody works with the same version
Efficient multi-site project management
Offline database caching and auto-synchronization

About Victory Packaging

The 37-year old company (headquartered in Houston) is involved in every aspect of the packaging process, from design and creation to storage, delivery, and management. Victory Packaging provides corrugated, folding carton, foam, and other packaging materials. www.victorypackaging.com

Yapısal tasarım bulutlarda

webmaster@esko.com (Esko) — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 14:42:00 +0100

Yapısal tasarım yazılımı ArtiosCAD Enterprise, - ABD’nin dört bir köşesindeki – 30 ambalaj mühendisinin tek bir ekip gibi çalışmalarına imkan veriyor. Victory Packaging firması, ambalaj üretiminde karşılaştığı tüm zorlukların üstesinden gelebiliyor.

Tam erişebilirlik

Bulut tabanlı bir çözüm olarak, ArtiosCAD Enterprise projeyle ilgili tüm verileri hem mobil hem de anında kullanılabilen, internetten erişilebilen bir veri tabanında topluyor. Bu veri tabanı, müşterilerin kurumsal varlıklarını dönüştürücünün faaliyet gösterdiği diğer tesislerden de erişilebilen, tek bir merkezi konumda tutuyor. Sunucudaki veriler daima en son versiyon oluyor. Bir ArtiosCAD Enterprise uzmanına danışın.

Sunulan erişilebilirlik seviyesi ve dosya doğrulama imkanları, Kuzey Amerika’da 56 noktada hizmet veren bir ambalaj çözümleri sağlayıcısı olan Victory Packaging için çok önemli.

Tek bir birim olarak çalışma

Victory Packaging’de, mühendisin hangi projede çalışacağını belirleyen etken konum değil. Bu karar, mühendisin becerilerine göre alınıyor. Personelin coğrafi dağılımı, şirketin başarısı için işbirliğini ve güncellenen dosyalara anında erişimi çok önemli kılıyor.

Cevaplar merkezi ve paylaşımlı veri tabanında

ArtiosCAD Enterprise’ın merkezi ve paylaşımlı veri tabanı, birçok tasarımcının aynı proje üzerinde kolayca işbirliği yapmalarına imkan veriyor. WAN çözümü, aslında sahada hiç mühendis olmasa da şirketin şeffaf olmasını ve tüm projelere anında ulaşmasını sağlıyor.

“Güvenilir, merkezi bir veri tabanına sahip olmak, özellikle veri tabanının web merkezli pozisyonunu düşündüğümüzde tüm şirket çapında veri bütünlüğünü sağlamamız anlamıan geliyor,” diyor Victory Packaging Kıdemli Ambalaj Mühendisi Kenneth Miess.

ArtiosCAD Enterprise broşürünü okuyun veya bir ArtiosCAD Enterprise uzmanına danışın.

ArtiosCAD Enterprise’ın avantajları

Merkezi depolama
Herkesin aynı versiyonla çalışması
Farklı sahalarda etkili proje yönetimi
Çevrimdışı veri önbellekleme ve otomatik senkronizasyon

Victory Packaging Hakkında

37 yıllık şirket (merkezi Houston’dadır), tasarım ve hazırlıktan saklama, teslimat ve yönetime kadar ambalaj sürecinin her aşamasında faaliyet göstermektedir. Victory Packaging oluklu, katlanır karton, köpük ve diğer ambalaj materyallerini sunmaktadır.www.victorypackaging.com

Hargrove Inc uses Kongsberg table to cut Presidential Inauguration displays

webmaster@esko.com (Esko) — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 14:40:00 +0100

For the sixth consecutive time, and the 17th overall, Lanham, Maryland-based Hargrove, Inc. was selected as the official general services contractor for the Presidential Inaugural Committee.

For Obama's second inauguration, Hargrove Inc. worked on the two official balls from the Presidential Inaugural Committee, the committee's candlelight dinner at the National Building Museum, the Kids Inaugural, the official parade floats, nine unofficial events, and the large volume of signage related to the inaugural activities.

Nearly 43,000 square feet of the displays they created were finished using Esko´s digital finishing solution: the i-cut Suite layout software and the Kongsberg finishing system.

New crease tool offers improved crease quality

webmaster@esko.com (Esko) — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 14:37:00 +0100

A new crease tool insert for the Kongsberg XL and Kongsberg XN cutting tables offers improved crease quality for corrugated materials.

The 60mm crease tool for corrugated board improves crease quality over smaller wheel diameters. The increased frontal area allows going deeper into the board without cracking the liner, which is especially important for material with high recycle content.

Contact a tool specialist.

The tool comes with three different crease wheels:

a 4-point wheel suitable for E- and other microflutes
a 6-point wheel suitable for B- and C-flute
a U-shaped wheel for double wall corrugated

The 60mm Crease Tool fits the standard tool insert fixture of the FlexiHead, MultiCUT, MultiCUT HP and the PowerHead. The tool can easily be added to any Kongsberg XN, Kongsberg XL or Kongsberg i-XL table without the need for a software update. Contact a tool specialist.

Yeni apre aracı, gelişmiş apre kalitesi sunuyor

webmaster@esko.com (Esko) — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 14:37:00 +0100

Kongsberg XL ve Kongsberg XN kesim tezgahları için yeni apre aracı eklentisi, oluklu materyaller için gelişmiş apre kalitesi sunuyor.

Oluklu mukavva için yeni 60 mm'lik apre aracı, daha küçük tekerlek çaplarında apre kalitesini artırıyor. Artan ön alan, astarı çatlatmadan mukavvanın daha derinlerine girilmesine imkan veriyor ve bu durum özellikle yüksek geri dönüşümlü içerik bulunduran materyaller için çok önemli.

Bir araç uzmanına danışın.

Araç, üç farklı apre tekerleğiyle birlikte geliyor:

E- ve diğer mikroyivlere uygun 4 noktalı tekerlek
B- ve C- yivine uygun 6 noktalı tekerlek
Oluklu çift duvar için U şeklindeki tekerlek

60 mm’lik Apre Aracı FlexiHead, MultiCUT, MultiCUT HP ve PowerHead’in standart araç eklenti tertibatına uyuyor. Araç, yazılım güncellemesine gerek kalmaksızın Kongsberg XN, Kongsberg XL veya Kongsberg i-XL tezgahlara kolayca eklenebiliyor. Bir araç uzmanına danışın.

Braille tool for Kongsberg cutting tables

webmaster@esko.com (Esko) — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 14:36:00 +0100

There is a braille tool insert available for signage production on the Kongsberg XN and Kongsberg XL cutting tables. The braille tool will work in most rigid materials thicker than 1 mm, like acrylics, PVC and aluminum composite materials (like Dibond^®).
Talk to a Kongsberg tool specialist!

See the Braille tool in action

Yeni: Kongsberg kesim tezgahları için Braille aracı

webmaster@esko.com (Esko) — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 14:36:00 +0100

Kongsberg XN ve Kongsberg XL kesim tezgahlarında afiş üretimi için bir Braille aracı eklentisi sunuluyor.

Braille Aracı, akrilikler, PVC ve Dibond® gibi alüminyum kompozit materyaller dahil olmak üzere 1 mm’den daha kalın birçok sert materyalle çalışabiliyor. Bir Kongsberg araç uzmanıyla görüşün!

Braille aracını iş başında izleyin

The Kongsberg XP Auto: the perfect companion for your wide format printer

webmaster@esko.com (Esko) — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 14:35:00 +0100

The Kongsberg XP Auto is a fully automated die-less finishing machine for packaging and point-of-purchase displays. Talk to a Kongsberg specialist.

The Kongsberg XP Auto comes with automatic loading and unloading and offers the highest digital converting capacity available on the market. It is the perfect complement to a wide format digital printer, enabling a full digital production workflow for POP displays and short-run packaging work.

See the Kongsberg XP Auto in Action

1. The out-stack adjusts automatically so its top is at a constant level. It can be emptied while the machine continues working on the next sheet.

2. The unload traverse transports the cut sheet from the cutting station to the out-stack. It features suction grippers with adjustable position.

3. The ergonomic workstation contains the main operator panel and the PC.

4. The XP Tooling is mounted on two different Z-axes: one optimized for power, it can push a large-size crease wheel down with an equivalent force of 50 kg; the other optimized for speed, it moves the knife tooling up and down with blazing efficiency.

5. The cutting station is where the sheets are processed. It consists of a vacuum bed with up to eight zones to ensure positive material hold-down on different material sizes. This part of the machine shares the capabilities for speed, acceleration and overall efficiency with the manually loaded XP tables.

6. The System Status Lamp quickly shows the state of the machine (Running - Stopped - Error condition).

7. The in-stack is based on an automatic lift table that keeps the top of the stack at a constant level. It ensures dependable sheet separation and repeatability in the sheet loading. Stacking capacity can be increased to one meter as an option.

Benefits of 24/7 automated production

Eliminates cost and turnaround time for dies
Permits jobs to be run overnight, unsupervised
Enables fully digital workflow for POP displays and packaging
Turns short-runs into a profitable business
Offers on-demand production with just-in-time-delivery
Enables increased design complexity compared to conventional die cutting

Want to know more?

Visit the Kongsberg XP Auto pages
Talk to a Kongsberg specialist

Kongsberg XP Auto: geniş formatlı yazıcınız için mükemmel bir dost

webmaster@esko.com (Esko) — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 14:35:00 +0100

Kongsberg XP Auto, ambalaj ve satın alma noktasındaki vitrinler için tam otomatik, kalıpsız bir son işlem makinesi.

Kongsberg XP Auto, otomatik yükleme ve boşaltma özelliğine sahip ve piyasadaki en yüksek dijital dönüştürme kapasitesini sunuyor. POP afişler ve kısa vadeli ambalaj işleri için tam dijital üretim iş akışı sağlayarak geniş formatlı dijital yazıcıyı mükemmel bir şekilde tamamlıyor. Bir Kongsberg uzmanıyla görüşün.

See the Kongsberg XP Auto in Action

1. Üst tarafın tutarlı olması için, dış yığın otomatik olarak ayarlanabiliyor. Makine bir sonraki yaprak üzerinde çalışmaya devam ederken boşaltılabiliyor.

2. Boşaltma traversi, kesilen yaprağı kesim istasyonundan dış yığına taşıyor. Ayarlanabilir pozisyonlara sahip vakumlu tutacakları var.

3. Ergonomik iş istasyonu, ana operatör paneli ve PC’yi içeriyor.

4. XP Aracı, iki farklı Z eksenine monte ediliyor: güç için optimize edilmiş bir eksen, büyük boy apre tekerleğini 50 kg’a eşit bir güçle aşağıya doğru bastırabiliyor; hız için optimize edilmiş başka bir eksen, üstün verimlilikle bıçak aracını aşağı-yukarı hareket ettiriyor.

5. Kesim istasyonu, yaprakların işleme alındığı yer. Farklı materyal boyutlarında pozitif materyalin basılı tutulmasını sağlamak için sekiz bölgeye kadar vakumlu bir yataktan oluşuyor. Makinenin bu parçası, manüel yüklenen XP tezgahlarıyla aynı hız, hızlanma ve genel verimlilik özelliklerini paylaşıyor.

6. Sistem Durum Lambası, makinenin durumunu anında gösterebiliyor (Çalışıyor – Durdu – Hata durumu).

7. İç yığın, yığının üst tarafını sabit bir seviyede tutan otomatik kaldırma tezgahına dayalı. Güvenilir yaprak ayrımı ve yaprak yüklemede yinelenebilirlik sağlıyor. Opsiyon olarak, istifleme kapasitesi bir metreye kadar çıkarılabiliyor.

7/24 otomatik üretimin avantajları

Kalıplar için maliyet ve teslim sürelerini azaltır
İşlerin denetim olmadan geceleri de devam etmesine imkan verir
POP vitrinler ve ambalajlar için tam dijital iş akışına imkan verir
Kısa vadeli işleri kârlı işlere dönüştürür
Tam zamanında teslimatla istek üzerine üretim sunar
Geleneksel kalıp kesme işlemine göre daha karmaşık tasarımlara imkan verir

Daha fazlasını öğrenmek ister misiniz?

Prepress for your signage workflow now!

webmaster@esko.com (Esko) — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 14:34:00 +0100

It’s time to find out how workflow improvements help your business to perform.
i-cut Suite tackles all bottlenecks in your workflow. From preflighting PDF files, preparing graphics, creating layouts, to printing, and finishing in perfect registration. i-cut Suite streamlines every step of the way.

Try i-cut Preflight and i-cut Layout for free!

What’s new in i-cut Preflight 12?

1. Trace cut path tool

It is now possible to create a cut path on images, based on their background color, by using the trace cut path tool. (You can now open images directly in i-cut Preflight. The supported file formats are PSD, PNG, JPEG and Tiff.)

2. Add bleed on images

You can add bleed now to bitmap images. Pixel data from within the cut path will be cloned.

3. PDF User units support

i-cut Layout now uses the PDF user units, which overcomes some the PDF dimension limitations.

What’s new in i-cut Layout 12

1. Cut faster with cutting output optimizations

For guillotine type layouts, cutting times will be dramatically reduced when applying line sequencing.

Not only are double lines removed, the order of the cutting lines will also be adapted, which minimizes knife lifts and idle movements. This results in faster cutting.

2. Tiling improvements

Based on user feedback, a lot of changes were implemented in the tiling functionality. E.g. moving tile edges is now possible in an interactive way; selecting multiple tiles is possible by clicking and dragging over them; gaps can be inserted in different directions…

3. Tiling templates

If you’re working a lot on tiling jobs that require the exact same setup, you can now store them in Tiling Templates. Create the setup once (including overlaps/gaps and marks) and store it centrally as a template. Save hours by simply applying the correct template on any future job.

4. Tiling reports

The tiling module allows you to create assembly reports, A4 or US letter- sized. These reports contain a preview image of the total job with the tile edges, the assembly order and the total dimensions. Overlap areas will be highlighted when present.

5. Extended scaling options

Files can now be scaled by entering the final dimensions, even non-proportional, which is a frequent use case for banners.

Tabela iş akışınız için ön baskı!

webmaster@esko.com (Esko) — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 14:34:00 +0100

İş akışında yaptığınız iyileştirmelerin şirketinizin performansını nasıl artıracağını öğrenme zamanı geldi. i-cut Suite iş akışınızdaki tüm sorunların üstesinden geliyor. PDF dosyalarının ön kontrolü, grafiklerin ve mizanpajların hazırlanmasından baskıya ve mükemmel son işlemlere dek, i-cut Suite bu sürecin her aşamasını kolaylaştırıyor.

i-cut Preflight ve i-cut Layout’u ücretsiz deneyin!

i-cut Preflight 12’de yeni neler var?

1. Kesim yolu izleme aracı

Artık kesim yolu izleme aracı kullanılarak arka plan rengine göre görüntülerde kesim yolu oluşturulabiliyor. (Artık görüntüleri doğrudan i-cut Preflight‘ta açabilirsiniz. Desteklenen dosya formatları PSD, PNG, JPEG ve Tiff’tir.)

2. Görüntülere taşma payı ekleme

Artık bitmap görüntülerine taşma payı ekleyebilirsiniz. Ayrıca kesim yolundaki piksel verilerini kopyalayabilirsiniz.

3. PDF Kullanıcı üniteleri desteği

i-cut Layout, bazı PDF boyut kısıtlamalarının üstesinden gelen PDF kullanıcı ünitelerini kullanıyor.

i-cut Layout 12’de yeni neler var?

1. Kesim çıktı optimizasyonuyla daha hızlı kesim

Giyotin tipi mizanpajlar için, hat sıralaması uygulandığında kesim süreleri önemli ölçüde azalacaktır.

Sadece çift hatlar kaldırılmakla kalmayacak, kesim hatlarının sırası da adapte edilecek ve bıçak kaldırma hareketleri ve boş hareketler minimuma inecektir. Bu durum, daha hızlı kesim sağlayacaktır.

2. Desen iyileştirmeleri

Kullanıcı geri bildirimlerine göre, desen fonksiyonunda birçok değişiklik yapıldı. Örn. Desen kenarları artık etkileşimli bir şekilde taşınabiliyor; tıklama ve sürükleme işlemiyle birçok desen seçilebiliyor; farklı yönlerde boşluklar eklenebiliyor.

3. Desen şablonları

Tam olarak aynı düzeni gerektiren desen işlerinde çalışıyorsanız, artık bunları Desen Şablonlarında saklayabilirsiniz. Düzeni bir kez oluşturun (örtüşmeler/boşluklar ve işaretler dahil) ve şablon olarak tek bir noktada saklayın. Gelecekteki işlerde sadece doğru şablonu kullanarak saatler kazanın.

4. Desen raporları

Desen modülü, A4 veya ABD mektup boyutunda yerleşim raporları oluşturmanıza imkan veriyor. Bu raporlar desen kenarları, yerleşim sırası ve toplam boyutlarla birlikte tüm işin ön izleme görüntüsünü içeriyor. Eğer varsa örtüşen alanlar vurgulanıyor.

5. Artırılmış ölçekleme seçenekleri

Artık dosyalar son boyutlar girilerek ölçeklenebiliyor, hatta afişlerde oldukça sık görülen bir özellik olan orantısız ölçek bile kullanılabiliyor.

Boost throughput with 80% with the Kongsberg XP cutter

webmaster@esko.com (Esko) — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 14:23:00 +0100

POP Diseño & Producción S.A.S., a major producer of display and exhibit materials in Colombia, has recently installed an Esko Kongsberg XP finishing table to meet the 50% sales increase they have recently experienced, while delivering work in hours, rather than days.

ColombiaPOP Diseño & Producción S.A.S. and its 100 employees produce their materials on three digital printers. The corrugated carton materials they create are usually for displays, gondolas, mailboxes, tasting stations, promotional games, display stands for trade shows and special product display cases.

Choosing for productivity, speed and quality

POP Diseño & Producción S.A.S. originally cut their corrugated POP materials by hand, but realized they needed to improve productivity, speed and quality. Contact a digital cutting table specialist.

"We decided to purchase a Kongsberg XP table after looking at the various options available in the marketplace. In our opinion, it was the best table available,” states Luis Fernando Hernandez, General Manager, POP Diseño & Producción S.A.S.

“We had first discovered the Kongsberg table on the Internet, and from there we contacted a number of companies that already owned a Kongsberg table. I spoke with two companies specifically, and they gave me excellent references. Other tables just did not seem to meet the requirements we required for POP design and production.”

“The Kongsberg table is the best system money can buy. In fact, we expect to purchase another Kongsberg XP within the year,”

About the Kongsberg XP cutting table

With the Kongsberg XP companies can run jobs from a single unit to a full-scale production with up to a 1000 units in a day. An extensive array of available tools matches the wide range of materials that can be used. Contact a Kongsberg XP specialist or visit the Kongsberg XP pages.

About POP Diseño & Producción S.A.S.

Based in Medellin, Colombia, they offer industrial design, prototype production, production of furniture and accessories made from wood, wire, steel, aluminum, acrylic, and other materials, and the design and installation of exhibit stands. They serve major brand owners and advertising and industrial design firms throughout Latin America. www.popdisenoyproduccion.com.co

Kongsberg XP kesici ile üretiminizi %80 artırın

webmaster@esko.com (Esko) — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 14:23:00 +0100

Kolombiya’lı lider afiş ve tanıtım materyalleri üreticisi POP Diseño & Producción S.A.S., işleri günler yerine saatler içerisinde teslim ederken yakaladığı %50’lik satış artışını karşılamak için bir süre önce Esko Kongsberg XP son işlem tezgahını kullanmaya başladı.

ColombiaPOP Diseño & Producción S.A.S. ve 100 çalışanı, materyallerini üç dijital yazıcıda üretiyor. Ürettikleri oluklu karton materyalleri genellikle afişler, gondollar, posta kutuları, tattırma istasyonları, promosyonel oyunlar, ticaret fuarlarındaki teşhir standartları ve özel ürün teşhir kaplarında kullanılıyor.

Verimlilik, hız ve kaliteyi getiren tercih

POP Diseño & Producción S.A.S. başlangıçta oluklu POP materyallerini elle kesiyordu, ancak şirket olarak verimlilik, hız ve kaliteyi artırması gerektiğini fark etti. Bir dijital kesim tezgahı uzmanına danışın.

“Piyasadaki pek çok farklı seçeneği değerlendirdikten sonra, Kongsberg XP tezgahını satın almaya karar verdik. Bize göre piyasadaki en iyi tezgahtı,,” diyor POP Diseño & Producción S.A.S. Genel Müdürü Luis Fernando Hernandez.

“Kongsberg tezgahını önce internette gördük ve ardından Kongsberg tezgahını daha önce kullanmış olan birkaç şirkete ulaştık. Bizzat iki şirketle görüştüm ve bana mükemmel referanslar verdiler. Diğer tezgahlar, POP tasarımı ve üretimi için belirlediğimiz gereksinimleri karşılayamıyorlardı.”

“Kongsberg tezgahı, paranın satın alabileceği en iyi sistem. Aslında, bu yıl içerisinde bir tane daha Kongsberg XP almayı planlıyoruz,”

Kongsberg XP kesim tezgahı hakkında

Kongsberg XP dijital kesim tezgahı, özellikle ambalaj, POP ürünleri ve ürün vitrinlerinde kullanılan oluklu mukavva ve diğer sert materyallerin son işlem ve diğer işlemleri için tasarlandı. Kongsberg XP tezgahı, 7/24 tam zamanlı üretim imkanı sunuyor.

Kongsberg XP’yi kullanan şirketler, tek bir üniteden günde 1000 üniteye kadar tam ölçekli üretim faaliyetlerini gerçekleştirebiliyorlar. Kapsamlı araç yelpazesi, geniş materyal yelpazesinin tüm ihtiyaçlarını karşılıyor. Bir Kongsberg XP uzmanına danışın veya Kongsberg XP sayfalarını ziyaret edin.

POP Diseño & Producción S.A.S. Hakkında

POP Diseño & Producción S.A.S. kaliteli ve etkili yeni tasarımlar ve yenilikçi materyaller sunarak müşterilerinin ihtiyaçlarını karşılamak için POP ticaret fuarı ve stand materyalleri tasarlamakta, üretmekte ve pazarlamaktadır.

Medellin, Kolombiya merkezli bu şirket ahşap, tel, çelik, alüminyum, akrilik ve diğer materyallerden yapılan mobilya ve aksesuarların endüstriyel tasarımı, prototip üretimi ve üretimini yaparken fuar standartlarının tasarım ve kurulum faaliyetlerini gerçekleştirmektedir. Şirket, Latin Amerika’daki başlıca marka sahiplerine ve reklam ve endüstriyel tasarım firmalarına hizmet vermektedir.

www.popdisenoyproduccion.com.co

New offices in Taipei and Bangalore

webmaster@esko.com (Esko) — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 14:20:00 +0100

Esko opens new offices in Bangalore

Strong growth opportunities in South Asia have prompted Esko to move to a new office in Bangalore, India. The new premise houses Esko's expanding Indian operation and has brand-new demo facilities.

Esko Opens New Taipei Offices

Esko Greater China has opened its brand new offices and demo center in Taipei.

^{The opening ribbon was cut by Mr. Jeng-Siong CHEN, Chairman of Printing Technology Research Institute, Mr. Chris Miller, Esko's Vice-President for Greater China, and Mr. Jeng-Bi YEH, Vice Chairman of Chinese Association of Graphics Science & Technolgy.}

Comparing Flexo, Offset, Gravure & Digital

webmaster@esko.com (Esko) — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 13:58:00 +0100

FTA Forum relaunched its 2001 test to compare jobs across different printing processes. The 2012 FOG’D test ran true production jobs and flexo showed itself in all cases a perfect alternative for offset, gravure and digital jobs.

6 different printers throughout the Americas and Europe submitted jobs in flexo, gravure, offset and digital. The idea of the test was not to push flexo –the printers had already invested in flexography- but to learn how printing processes stack up in real production situations makes sense in different situations: they have to compete on quality and economics.

You can read the full article in the February issue of Flexo on page 61. Check the digital edition here.

Flekso, Ofset, Gravür ve Dijital Karşılaştırması

webmaster@esko.com (Esko) — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 13:58:00 +0100

FTA Forum, farklı baskı süreçlerindeki işleri karşılaştırmak için 2001 yılında yaptığı testi tekrarladı. 2012 FOG’D testi gerçek üretim işleri üzerinde yapıldı ve flekso tüm işlerde ofset, gravür ve dijital işler için mükemmel bir alternatif olduğunu gösterdi.

Amerika ve Avrupa’daki 6 farklı matbaacı flekso, gravür, ofset ve dijital olarak hazırlanmış işlerini gönderdi. Testin amacı fleksoyu teşvik etmek değil, – matbaacılar fleksografiye zaten yatırım yapmışlardı – gerçek üretim faaliyetlerinde kullanılan baskı süreçlerinin farklı durumlarda nasıl performans gösterdiklerini öğrenmekti: rekabetteki ana faktörler kalite ve ekonomiydi.

Makalenin tamamını Flexo’nun Şubat sayısında, 61. sayfada bulabilirsiniz. Dijital versiyonu buradan okuyabilirsiniz.

Movie: Who controls your packaging workflow?

webmaster@esko.com (Esko) — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 13:57:00 +0100

Is your brand’s packaging production a stressful endeavor? Do you miss control? Do you need a clear look into your workflow? Check this movie!

Today, brand owners & retailers are striving to work as efficient as possible. But that proves to be challenging in an increasingly diverse, global and heavily outsourced packaging process.

If you want to control your packaging supply chain, talk to one of our specialists!

Film: Ambalaj iş akışınızı kim kontrol ediyor?

webmaster@esko.com (Esko) — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 13:57:00 +0100

Markanızın ambalaj üretim süreci stresli mi geçiyor? Kontrolü elinizden kaçırıyor musunuz? İş akışınızı daha net bir şekilde görmek mi istiyorsunuz? Bu filme bir göz atın!

Günümüzde, marka sahipleri ve perakendeciler mümkün olduğunca verimli çalışmak için uğraşıyorlar. Ancak her geçen gün farklılaşan, globalleşen ve ağırlıkla dış kaynak kullanımına dayalı ambalaj sürecinde bu verimliliğe ulaşmak çok güç olabiliyor.

Ambalaj tedarik zincirinizi kontrol etmek istiyorsanız,! uzmanlarımızdan biriyle görüşün!

Cut it up! Optimize your flexo plate making

webmaster@esko.com (Esko) — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 13:54:00 +0100

The platemaking operation of Tennessee-based Interstate Packaging has increased throughput and gained significant cost savings using Esko’s Digital Flexo Suite with a Kongsberg XL20 digital finishing table.

The system, with full connectivity to a CDI Spark 4835 imager has reduced plate waste, eliminated human error, and brought automated plate traceability to the company’s flexo plate operation.

What is the Digital Flexo Suite?

Digital Flexo Suite automatically and simultaneously sends optimized plate files to the CDI Spark for imaging and cutting layout data the Kongsberg XL table for precision cutting. The CDI imaging file and the Kongsberg cutting file carry identical names and registration marks that are automatically marked on the flexo plate, for later identification, registration, and cutting. Contact a Digital Flexo Suite specialist!

Saving 30% on plate material

This automated, cost-effective solution reduces plate cutting waste to an absolute minimum. For Interstate Packaging, that capability is essential. “Our highest costs, in order, are substrates, ink, and plate material,” explains Jeff Cassell, Graphics Manager at Interstate Packaging.

“We felt that with plate material, there were opportunities to reduce costs.” Along with some other modifications to the platemaking process, such as barcoding plates, the use of Digital Flexo Suite with the Kongsberg table led to Interstate Graphics saving 30% on the amount of plate material used.

Traceability and accountability

Another critical element is the traceability and accountability for each plate. At Interstate, each plate has a unique number and that number is logged into a database. The etched number of the plate is placed on the back of the plate. Interstate can go into the database and enter the plate number and find where the plate is in process.

“Interstate Packaging has over 8,000 active SKUs, averaging 8 colors per SKU. We are talking lots of plates. We now know where each plate should be at all times. Let’s say a plate is left out of an envelope.

We can go to the database and see if the plate is active or belongs, conversely, in the recycle bin. Now, driven by the Esko workflow and etched by the Kongsberg table, we can assure we are using the right plate for each run. We eliminate potential errors.” says Jeff Cassell.

More about the Digital Flexo Suite

Contact one of our Digital Flexo Suite specialists.
Visit the Digital Flexo Suite webpages.
Read the Digital Flexo Suite brochure.

About Interstate Packaging

Established in 1969, Interstate Packaging is a family-owned flexible packaging and label converter that produces packaging, labels, bags, and pouches for consumer goods companies. Operating in a 115,000-sq-ft facility on 20 acres in rural White Bluff, TN, the company uses the most advanced production techniques for full-service digital prepress and platemaking and up to 10-color high-quality printing. www.interstatepkg.com

Kesip biçin! Flekso plaka yapım işlemlerinizi optimize edin

webmaster@esko.com (Esko) — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 13:54:00 +0100

Tennessee merkezli Interstate Packaging’in plaka yapım faaliyetlerinde Kongsberg XL20 dijital son işlem tezgahıyla birlikte Esko Digital Flexo Suite kullanılarak üretim artırılmış ve önemli maliyet tasarrufları sağlanmış.

CDI Spark 4835 ile tam bağlantıya sahip sistem plaka atıklarını azaltmış, insan hatasını ortadan kaldırmış ve şirketin flekso plaka faaliyetlerine otomatik plaka izlenebilirliği getirmiş.

Digital Flexo Suite nedir?

Digital Flexo Suite, Kongsberg XL tezgahta hassas kesim için görüntüleme ve kesim yerleşim verilerini içeren optimize plaka dosyalarını otomatik ve eş zamanlı olarak CDI Spark’a gönderiyor. CDI görüntüleme dosyası ve Kongsberg kesim dosyası, daha sonra belirleme, kayıt ve kesim için flekso plakasında otomatik olarak işaretlenen aynı isimleri ve kayıt işaretlerini taşıyor. Bir Digital Flexo Suite uzmanına danışın!

Plaka materyallerinde %30 tasarruf

Bu otomatik ve uygun maliyetli çözüm, plaka kesim atıklarını minimuma indiriyor. Interstate Graphics için, bu özellik büyük önem taşıyor. “Sırasıyla en yüksek masraflarımız malzeme, mürekkep ve plaka materyali,” diyor Interstate Packaging Grafik Müdürü Jeff Cassell.

“Plaka materyallerinde masrafları düşürme imkanımız olduğunu gördük.” Plakaların barkodlanması gibi plaka yapım sürecindeki bazı diğer değişikliklerin yanı sıra, Kongsberg tezgahı ile birlikte Digital Flexo Suite’in kullanılması Interstate Graphics’in kullanılan plaka materyallerinde %30 tasarruf yapmasını sağladı.

İzlenebilirlik ve sorumluluk

Bir başka kritik bileşen, her plaka için izlenebilirlik ve sorumluluk. Interstate’te, her plakanın kendi numarası var ve bu numaralar bir veri tabanına kaydediliyor. Plakanın oyulmuş numarası, plakanın arkasına yerleştiriliyor. Interstate, veri tabanına girip plaka numarasını yazarak plakanın süreçte nerede olduğunu görebiliyor.

“Interstate Packaging, SKU başına ortalama 8 renk olmak üzere 8.000’den fazla aktif SKU’ya sahip. Çok fazla plakadan bahsediyoruz. Artık her plakanın nerede olması gerektiğini biliyoruz. Bir plakanın zarfın dışında bırakıldığını varsayalım. Veri tabanına gidebilir ve plakanın aktif olup olmadığını ya da çöp kutusuna ait olup olmadığını görebiliriz. Artık, Esko iş akışı ve Kongsberg tezgahın desteğiyle, her üretim için doğru plakayı kullandığımızı biliyoruz. Potansiyel hataları ortadan kaldırıyoruz.” diyor Jeff Cassell.

Digital Flexo Suite hakkında daha fazlası

Interstate Packaging Hakkında

1969 yılında kurulan Interstate Packaging, tüketici malları şirketleri için ambalajlar, etiketler, poşetler ve torbalar üreten, esnek ambalaj ve etiket dönüştürme işleriyle uğraşan bir aile şirketidir. White Bluff, TN’nin kırsal bölgelerinde 20 akrelik bir alandaki 115.000 metrekarelik tesisinde faaliyet gösteren şirket, tam hizmet dijital ön baskı ve plaka yapımının yanı sıra 10 renge kadar yüksek kaliteli baskı için en gelişmiş üretim tekniklerini kullanmaktadır. www.interstatepkg.com

New: Full HD Flexo

webmaster@esko.com (Esko) — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 13:49:00 +0100

Full HD Flexo extends the boundaries of flexo printing even further than HD Flexo. The unique Full HD Flexo dot shape allows you to achieve fine highlight printing, smooth transitions to zero and an outstanding gravure-like solid ink lay down. Talk to a Full HD Flexo specialist.

HD Flexo quality benefits:

Smoother, sharper images with an expanded tonal range
Bright impactful solids and a wider color gamut
Improved results achievable with existing printing equipment
Industry standard quality supported by all major plate vendors
Suitable for labels and tags, flexible packaging, corrugated and carton print

How does it work?

The Full HD Flexo technology combines high resolution imaging at 4000ppi (HD Flexo imaging and screening technology) with digitally controlled main exposure inside the CDI. The digital Inline UV2 main exposure through a LED-array delivers a UV power density high enough to gain full control over the polymerization process during main exposure. Talk to a Full HD Flexo specialist.

Controlling the dot shape

This unique process can digitally control the creation of a dot shape. The benefit? You can produce plates and sleeves that combine the highlight capabilities of HD Flexo and the solid ink lay down capability and print stability of a ‘flat top’ flexo plate in one fully digitally controlled workflow.

Full HD Flexo: applications and benefits.

Full HD Flexo extends the boundaries of flexo printing for flexible packaging. Depending on the screen ruling used, Full HD Flexo has different capabilities and benefits.

When printing with screen rulings between 110 -130 ppi, Full HD Flexo improves the quality of solids and whites, print consistency, press speed, and job changeover. Existing presses and aniloxes can be used.

When using screen rulings of 130 – 150 lpi, Full HD Flexo enables the conversion of gravure work to flexo printing. Good image details and contrasts, highlights to zero and smooth vignettes can be achieved. Spot colors can be produced with higher vignette quality.

Full HD Flexo combined with screen rulings between 150 lpi and 250 lpi, makes it the perfect solution to move gravure work to flexo. The print quality is stellar: excellent details, brilliant colors and smooth transitions to zero.

Want to know more?

If you want to know more about Full HD Flexo, please contact one of our specialists.

Yeni: Tam HD Flekso

webmaster@esko.com (Esko) — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 13:49:00 +0100

Tam HD Flekso, flekso baskının sınırlarını HD Fleksodan daha ilerilere taşıyor. Benzersiz Tam HD Flekso nokta şekli ince vurgulu baskı, sıfıra sorunsuz geçiş ve olağanüstü gravür benzeri katı mürekkep yerleşimine ulaşmanıza imkan veriyor. Tam HD Flekso uzmanıyla konuşun.

Nasıl çalışır?

Tam HD Flekso teknolojisi, 4000ppi’da yüksek çözünürlükte görüntülemeyi (HD Flekso görüntüleme ve pozlandırma teknolojisi) CDICDI’ın içindeki dijital kontrollü ana pozlama ile birleştiriyor. LED dizi yoluyla dijital Hat içi UV2 ana pozlaması, ana pozlama sırasında polimerizasyon işlemi üzerinde tam kontrol sahibi olunmasına yetecek kadar yüksek bir UV güç yoğunluğu sunuyor.

Nokta şeklinin kontrolü

Bu özel işlem, nokta şeklinin oluşturulmasını otomatik olarak kontrol edebiliyor. Avantajı ne mi? Tamamen dijital kontrollü tek bir iş akışında HD Fleksonun vurgu özelliklerini ve ‘düz tepeli’ flekso klişesinin katı mürekkep yerleşim özelliği ve baskı kararlılığını bir araya getiren klişeler ve manşonlar üretebilirsiniz.

Tam HD Flekso: uygulamalar ve avantajlar

Tam HD Flekso, esnek ambalaj için flekso baskının sınırlarını ileriye taşıyor. Kullanılan trama bağlı olarak, Tam HD Fleksonun farklı özellikleri ve avantajları var.

110 – 130 ppi arası tramlarda baskı yaparken, Tam HD Flekso katı mürekkepler ve beyazların kalitesini, baskı tutarlılığını, baskı hızını ve iş teslim sürelerini iyileştiriyor. Mevcut baskı makineleri ve anilokslar da kullanılabiliyor.

130 – 150 lpi arası tramlar kullanılırken, Tam HD Flekso gravür çalışmalarının flekso baskıya dönüştürülmesine imkan veriyor. Üstün görüntü detayları ve kontrastlara, sıfır vurgularına ve pürüzsüz vinyetlere ulaşılabiliyor. Daha yüksek vinyet kalitesiyle spot renkler üretilebiliyor.

150 lpi ve 250 lpi arasındaki tramlarla birlikte kullanılan Tam HD Flekso, gravür çalışmalarının fleksoya taşınması için mükemmel bir çözüm sunuyor. Baskı kalitesi mükemmele ulaşıyor: kusursuz detaylar, parlak renkler ve sıfıra sorunsuz geçişler.

Daha fazlasını öğrenmek ister misiniz?

Tam HD Flekso hakkında daha fazlasını öğrenmek isterseniz, uzmanlarımızdan birine danışın.

A new imager for labels & tags: CDI 2420

webmaster@esko.com (Esko) — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 13:38:00 +0100

Introducing the new CDI Spark 2420! The CDI Spark 2420 is designed for narrow web label converters and combines a different image size with greater plate material flexibility. The new CDI Spark 2420 is perfect for the growing tag and label market. If you want to know more, contact a CDI specialist.

Addressing growing needs of tag and label market

The tag and label market is increasingly demanding high quality flexo and a wider diversity of printing applications. To address this, the CDI Spark 2420 is designed to image plate sizes up to 609 mm x 508 mm (24“ by 20“) and also handle a wider range of plate materials.

These include digital flexo plates, chemistry free film, digital foil-based letterpress plates, digital metal-based letterpress plates and digital silk screens. Operation is aided by EasyClamp, which securely holds flexo plates of any thickness on the vacuum drum.

HD Flexo for exceptional quality

The CDI 2420 comes with the standard 2000ppi to 2540ppi but can be upgraded to High Res 2540ppi to 4000ppi or to HD Flexo 4000ppi in combination with high definition screening.

This way, the CDI 2420 brings the exceptional quality sought after by brands. In addition, the CDI Spark 2420 comes with a choice of optics (Optics 7.5, Optics 10 or Optics 15). The performance speed is determined by the optics so customers have the flexibility to choose the optics to match their current workflow and business growth.

Want to know more?

For more information about the CDI 2420, visit the CDI pages or contact one of our CDI specialists.

Etiketler ve fişler için yeni bir pozlandırıcı: CDI 2420

webmaster@esko.com (Esko) — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 13:38:00 +0100

Karşınızda yeni CDI Spark 2420! Dar enli etiket baskısı yapan firmalar için tasarlanmış olan CDI Spark 2420, farklı pozlandırma ebatlarını geniş malzeme esnekliğiyle birleştiriyor. Yeni CDI Spark 2420, büyüyen fiş ve etiket piyasası için mükemmel bir ürün. Daha fazlasını öğrenmek isterseniz, bir CDI uzmanına danışın.

Etiket pazarının artan ihtiyaçlarını karşılıyor

Etiket pazarında, yüksek kaliteli flekso ve baskı uygulamaları açısından daha geniş çeşitlilikte artan bir talep bulunmaktadır. CDI Spark 2420, bu ihtiyacı karşılayabilmek için 609 mm x 508 mm'lik (24"e 20") ebatlara kadar olan klişeler için tasarlandı ve çok geniş yelpazede malzemeler kullanılabiliyor.

Bunlar dijital flekso klişeleri, kimyasalsız film, dijital letterpress klişeleri, dijital metal bazlı letterpress klişeleri ve dijital serigrafiyi kapsıyorlar. Kalınlığı ne olursa olsun, flekso klişeleri vakumlu tamburun üzerinde sağlam bir şekilde tutan EasyClamp bu işlemlere yardımcı oluyor.

Sıra dışı kalite için HD Flekso

CDI 2420 standart 2000ppi ve 2540ppi ile birlikte geliyor, ancak yüksek çözünürlüklü pozlandırma ile birlikte Yüksek Çözünürlüklü 2540ppi ve 4000ppi ya da HD Flekso 4000ppi’ya çıkarılabiliyor.

Bu şekilde, CDI 2420 markaların aradığı sıra dışı kaliteyi sunabiliyor. Buna ek olarak, CDI Spark 2420 farklı optik seçenekleriyle birlikte geliyor (Optik 7.5, Optik 10 veya Optik 15). Performans hızı optikler tarafından belirlendiği için, müşteriler kendi iş akışlarına ve şirket büyümelerine uygun optikleri seçme esnekliğine sahip oluyorlar.

Daha fazlasını öğrenmek ister misiniz?

CDI 2420 hakkında daha fazla bilgi için, CDI sayfalarını ziyaret edin veya CDI uzmanlarımızdan birine danışın.

Signpost savings with Esko "design to print to cut" solutions

webmaster@esko.com (Esko) — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 16:14:00 +0100

Ghent (Belgium), March 2013 – How can sign and display operations ensure no production second or penny is wasted? That question is answered by Esko (www.esko.com) at this year's Sign and Digital 2013 show (April 30 to May 2 at the Birmingham NEC), where the company will highlight its carefully crafted solutions dedicated to the sign and display market on stand H12.

“Wasted time and materials reduce productivity and eat into profitability. In large instances it's easy to see the impact on an operation. However, it is the small but frequent minutes of waiting and centimetres of material waste that can quickly add up,” states Paul Bates, Esko’s Regional Business Manager UK & Eire. “We'll show sign and display operations how simple software enhancements can be easily integrated into any operation to assure integrity and consistency, job after job. In addition, our solutions dramatically improve throughput while minimizing errors. As a result, operations will be introduced to business-wide improvements including greater efficiency in production. This in turn can translate to customer service improvements and long-term relationships, and even open up new sales avenues.”

Design to Print to Cut for sign & display manufacturing

Leading solutions presented by Esko include Suite 12 which focuses on adding value by introducing new productivity and efficiency benefits. This is achieved through close integration of all flagship tools and engines. Another key tool is WebCenter that delivers end-to-end manufacturing process management, creating a competitive advantage by specifying requirements, managing assets and overseeing the entire design and production process.

Also on display is Esko's highly popular Kongsberg i-XP 24 cutting table, the best-selling Kongsberg system among sign and display companies that is designed to operate 24/7. Equipped with the i-cut Vision Pro control system, the Kongsberg table provides automation, high productivity and outstanding precision. Finishing efficiency is enhanced with i-cut Automate - the latest addition to Esko's i-cut Suite of pre-production software that automates the entire production process. “Work can be grouped to maximize substrate use while highly effective automation eliminates mistakes and the need for reprints. The result is enhanced productivity, reduced operator intervention and valuable time, money and material savings,” concludes Bates.

Esko, Videojet and X-Rite identify profitable packaging improvements at Pro2Pac

webmaster@esko.com (Esko) — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 16:08:00 +0100

Ghent (Belgium), Regensdorf (Switzerland), Huntingdon (UK), March 2013 - Ways to improve quality, productivity and profitability throughout the entire food and drink packaging supply chain will be highlighted by Esko, X-Rite and Videojet at Pro2Pac, taking place in London’s Excel from March 17 to 20. The three companies – all part of Danaher's Industrial Technologies Segment – will combine expertise and present their solutions dedicated to food and packaging specialists on stand S2424.

Esko delivers competitive edge for brand owners

Esko will focus on the time-savings, efficiency gains and creative capabilities its packaging solutions offer. "We are not limited to one area of the packaging chain as we believe to bring real benefit, we have to be involved in all areas of the packaging production process - from concept to shelf," says Paul Bates, Esko’s Regional Business Manager UK & Eire.

Esko's WebCenter delivers end-to-end packaging process management, creating a competitive advantage by specifying requirements, managing assets and overseeing the entire design and production process. Online collaboration is also aided by Esko's Dynamic Content Engine that enables online creation, storage, translation and collaborative approval of all text for any kind of packaging. Reducing time from concept to shelf is another demand highly request by packaging specialist and brand owners. Therefore Esko will also highlight the time and cost savings delivered by Studio, a unique set of tools for 3D packaging design. Via ArtiosCAD, Studio links through to third party palletization software and as such multiple components can be visualized together while creating the artwork for each component. Esko's Store Visualizer takes this concept even further by placing the packaged product in a hyper realistic and dynamic retail environment.

One of the most actively discussed topics in the industry is colour management which is why Esko is also showcasing the effectiveness of its Color Engine and the integration with PantoneLIVE™.

X-Rite steps up colour conversation

X-Rite Pantone will take the conversation a step further by detailing how PantoneLIVE™, has quickly established itself as a vital tool for effective colour management throughout the supply chain. Data on brand owners’ trademark colours and the PANTONE Colour Libraries is stored on the cloud for easy access anytime and anywhere in the world by PantoneLIVE licensed customers.

It will also demonstrate the recently introduced eXact spectrophotometer that makes colour measurement quick and easy for while solving the widespread problem of measuring and matching colours on various substrates and surfaces. It is the first spectrophotometer in the industry to offer customers a way to measure true daylight conditions by supporting all the M Standards inclusive of the complete M1.

On show too, will be X-Rite's InkFormulation 6. This fast, accurate and consistent formula creation, storage, approval and retrieval solution for offset, flexographic, gravure and screen-printing inks, is able to rapidly calculate the optimal and most cost-effective recipe based on the printing process, ink, illumination, pigment pricing, and number of components and materials to be used. The new leftover function enables packaging printers to make use of left overs to formulate new colours and reduce costs and waste.

Videojet solutions assure 100% traceability

Coding assurance specialist Videojet will be showing how manufacturers and brands can use high quality, accurate and reliable coding solutions to deliver 100% product traceability and integrity assurance with its broad portfolio of modular and retrofitable systems.

In particular it will highlight its small character continuous inkjet printers, part of its 1000 Line range, that minimise planned and unplanned downtime and maximise printer availability. Ideal for daily and multi-shift applications they feature Dynamic Calibration™ for the optimisation of print quality in changing environmental conditions, CleanFlow™ printhead technology for reduced ink build-up for longer runs between printhead cleanings and a core life of up to 12,000 hours to extend run times between preventive maintenance. Also incorporated is a CLARiTY interface that reduces errors, a large, responsive 10.4inch touchscreen for easy operation and a Smart Cartridge™ fluid system that reduces waste, mess and mistakes.

Esko at ISA Sign Expo 2013

webmaster@esko.com (Esko) — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 09:43:00 +0100

Miamisburg, OH (USA), March 2013 – At booth 3759 during the ISA International Sign Expo 2013, April 3-6, in Las Vegas, Esko (www.esko.com) will demonstrate a comprehensive portfolio of end-to-end print to cut workflows for sign and display shops from prepress to finished product. The slate of products includes the complete i-cut Suite automated workflow specifically designed for sign and display production, and a range of three Kongsberg tables.

i-cut Suite highlights focus on wide format

i-cut Suite, a 2012 InterTech™ Technology award recipient, lets companies that drive narrow or large format digital printers and/or digital finishing systems streamline their workflows. Many sign and display companies are benefitting from i-cut Suite’s automated workflow tools. i-cut Suite components include:

i-cut Preflight handles efficient preflighting and editing of incoming PDF files, ensuring that jobs will RIP and print correctly. It also lets users make any corrections working within the PDF file.

i-cut Layout is a module to interactively build and edit sheet layouts, ensuring that jobs make the optimum use of the substrate through intelligent true shape nesting and tiling.

i-cut Vision Pro makes sure that die-less cutting contours match printed images perfectly. Often, slight distortions between printed graphics and contour cuts may cause unacceptable results. i-cut Vision Pro registers the actual dimensions and positions on the printed result.

With i-cut Automate, all of these functions are automated in a single workflow, with less operator intervention and fewer potential manual errors.

Software to make structural and graphic designs easier

In an industry that is becoming more commoditized, sign and display shops are finding that unique, 3D display projects offer higher margins. This is the reason why more and more companies are investing in ArtiosCAD for structural design. ArtiosCAD 12 brings customers many time-saving features. Its extensive library of resizable display designs helps designers so that they do not have to start from scratch designing new displays. Its Tab & Slot tool ‘assembles’ components of a display with just a few clicks. The Mate tool helps to build and visualize connected folds and multiple parts. Users can identify glue areas and corresponding targets to quickly connect designs or perform simple assembly of displays. Support for thicker materials such as papercore-board, along with correctly designing V-notches and edge bands make it easier to visualize and convert designs of this material.

Why work in a flat world if displays aren’t? Studio 12 is a unique set of tools for 3D structural design made specifically for display artwork professionals. Studio helps produce better artwork, by allowing users to virtually view 3D displays and rotate them for a complete view. Studio also lets users create exciting 3D visuals to show to clients, ranging from PDF files with 3D content to movies.

Kongsberg XN provides power and flexibility for any sign & display application

Three Kongsberg tables will be shown on the Esko booth. The Kongsberg XN the most versatile digital finishing device ever introduced. Working with just about any material from vinyls to boards to wood, the Kongsberg XN is perfect for any job or application. It is available in seven different sizes from 66” x 50” to 87” x 258”.

A choice of five tool heads and a full assortment of insert tools guarantee versatility. The Kongsberg XN can be easily configured for the widest range of applications: from kiss-cutting to heavy-duty milling. Most important, the new Kongsberg XN can be equipped with its very powerful, optional 3kW, water-cooled milling spindle, the MultiCUT-HP. With this new high-powered tool head, the Kongsberg XN offers up to three times more routing productivity. Even when processing the most challenging materials, it keeps a productive, consistent speed. With the power-saving variable vacuum hold-down technology, it also consumes less energy.

Newly developed tools include solid board and corrugated paper-core board v-notching inserts. Productivity add-ons are available like a material conveyor, an AutoFeeder and a Roll-Off unit.

With graphic printing, distortion can occur where the printed graphics and the die line may not match, causing unacceptable results. When integrated with i-cut Vision Pro, Kongsberg tables can assure the die-less cutting contours match the printed images. i-cut Vision Pro perfectly registers the actual printed result to the digital die line every time.

The Kongsberg XP24: the world’s fastest digital finishing system

Also on display at ISA is the Kongsberg XP24, the world’s fastest digital finishing system. The XP helps turn short-run POP / POS displays into profitable, value added jobs, helping sign and display shops offer their customers on-demand production with just-in-time delivery. With a maximum working area of 87”x126” and a maximum speed of 66” inches per second, the XP series can convert a wide range of board, sheet and roll materials.

Kongsberg i-XE10 Auto digital finishing system

At ISA, the Kongsberg i-XE10 Auto is equipped with a fully automated sheet feeder and off load stacker, specifically designed for finishing small-format, prototype, sample and short-run digital printed materials – rolls or sheets can be processed. The sheet feeder system automatically loads and places printed materials on the table. The ‘Pick and Place’ automated stacker enables non-stop sorting, neatly stacking finished pieces. The system also automatically separates waste from the finished items. The Kongsberg i-XE10 Auto opens opportunities for creative, new applications with irregular shapes or finishing structures. It can handle a maximum sheet size of 35” x 47”.

“Automated workflow solutions are changing the way sign and display companies operate, making them more competitive with new products—such as 3D designs—and greater productivity. Esko i-cut Suite is at the forefront of this trend,” comments Bill Hartman, Esko Vice President, Sign & Display Solutions. “In addition, our Kongsberg tables continue to prove that jobs don't end with printing, nor does finishing need to be outsourced. There is great benefit to building very capable in-house structural design and finishing departments. We look forward to showing ISA attendees these significant tools to differentiate themselves in the market.”

For more information about Esko Sign & Display products, please visit www.esko.com/SignandDisplay

Packaging Inspiration Forum

webmaster@esko.com (Esko) — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 14:59:00 +0100

Die PrintCity-Allianz lädt Markeninhaber, Designer, Drucker und Weiterverarbeiter zur Teilnahme am Packaging Inspiration Forum in Düsseldorf ein.

In einer spannenden Mischung aus Key-Note Präsentationen, interaktive Break-Out Sessions und Networking Breaks diskutieren Sie mit Vertretern von Unternehmen und Spitzenorganisationen der Verpackungsbranche zentrale Themen rund um das Value Added Packaging

• Welche Konzepte und Materialien macht eine Verpackung am POS erfolgreich?
• Wie eröffnen neue Technologien wie der Digital Druck neue Möglichkeiten am POS?
• Wie können Prozesse in der gesamten Wertschöpfungskette optimiert werden?
• Wie können Produkte effektiv gegen Fälschungen geschützt werden?

Kurzbeschreibungen der Vorträge finden Sie hier.

Die Veranstaltung erstreckt sich über 2 Tage und findet in deutsch statt.

Beginn: Mittwoch, 24.04.2013 um 12:00
Ende: Donnerstag, 25.04.2013 um 17:00

Für Fragen schreiben Sie an info@printcity.de oder rufen an unter +49 8142 65233-10
Weitere Informationen über die PrintCity Allianz: www.printcity.de

POP Diseño & Producción S.A.S. increases productivity 80% with the help of an Esko Kongsberg XP finishing table

webmaster@esko.com (Esko) — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 10:03:00 +0100

Miamisburg, OH (USA), February 2013 – POP Diseño & Producción S.A.S., a major producer of display and exhibit materials in Colombia, has recently installed an Esko Kongsberg XP finishing table to meet the 50% sales increase they have recently experienced, while delivering work in hours, rather than days.

POP Diseño & Producción S.A.S. designs, produces and markets POP trade show and stand material to satisfy the needs of their customers, delivering new designs and innovative materials with quality and effectiveness. Based in Medellin, Colombia, they offer industrial design, prototype production, production of furniture and accessories made from wood, wire, steel, aluminum, acrylic, and other materials, and the design and installation of exhibit stands. They serve major brand owners and advertising and industrial design firms throughout Latin America.

POP Diseño & Producción S.A.S. and its 100 employees produce their materials on three digital printers. The corrugated carton materials they create are usually for displays, gondolas, mailboxes, tasting stations, promotional games, display stands for trade shows and special product display cases.

POP Diseño & Producción S.A.S. originally cut their corrugated POP materials by hand, but realized they needed to install new technology to improve productivity, speed and quality. The company was looking for a finishing table that was ‘industrial’; something that was more reliable and backed by local support, but also very versatile with a variety of tools.

The company decided to seek the advice of Digital Grafix S.A., an organization with headquarters in Bogotá, founded by people with extensive experience in the printing industry throughout the Andes and Central American regions. They are a full service distributor (including sales of equipment, software, supplies and service technology solutions for digital printing) in printing, packaging, advertising and textiles markets representing leading global graphic communication technology companies. Digital Grafix’ mission is to be the graphics market leader across the region, working as a technology partner to its clients by offering the consultancy, supply, integration, installation, training, maintenance and updating of digital solutions that enable them to generate sustainable economic value over time.

“We decided to purchase a Kongsberg XP table after looking at the various options available in the marketplace. In our opinion, it was the best table available,” states Luis Fernando Hernandez, General Manager, POP Diseño & Producción S.A.S. “We had first discovered the Kongsberg table on the Internet, and from there we contacted a number of companies that already owned a Kongsberg table. I spoke with two companies specifically, and they gave me excellent references. Other tables just did not seem to meet the requirements we required for POP design and production.”

POP Diseño & Producción S.A.S. purchased the Kongsberg table and Grafix Digital S.A. installed it at the end of July 2011. The installation of the system went well. “The service engineer who installed the system did a good job and was very helpful. We also had very good training,” says Hernandez.

The Kongsberg XP digital cutting table is made especially for finishing and handling a combination of corrugated board and other rigid materials used in packaging, POP products and product displays. Its durable construction enables the XP table to provide full time production, 24/7. With the Kongsberg XP companies can run jobs from a single unit to a full-scale production with up to a 1000 units in a day. An extensive array of available tools matches the wide range of materials that can be used, such as corrugated, folding carton, solid board, foam, coating blankets, wood and a long list of plastics — as large as 2310mm x 3600mm (91” x 135”). The XP's production power and quick change of tools ensures on time delivery, every time, even for the complex jobs.

As a complete solution, to help drive the Kongsberg table POP Diseño operates both Esko ArtiosCAD structural design software and an Esko i-cut Suite wide format prepress workflow. ArtiosCAD is the world’s most popular structural design software for packaging design, ideal for all corrugated, folding carton and POP display designers. i-cut Automate lets POP Diseño automate its entire prepress production process, preflighting PDF files, preparing graphics, and creating layouts. The i-cut software has a set of modules that fit any large format printing workflow, no matter what brand of large format press it’s working with. Both of these tools connect seamlessly to the Kongsberg table.

For one of the company’s clients, Productora Distrihogar, POP Diseño & Producción S.A.S. created 50 exhibits within 24 hours. In the past, it took them five days. “Al Grupo Nutresa has told us that they have seen production times cut by 50%, along with a 100% increase in quality. Other customers of ours, Grupo Familia, Leonisa and Grupo Éxito, have seen similar results,” adds Hernandez.

Hernandez likes everything about the Kongsberg XP table. While sales have increased 50% — an average increase of US $100,000 — the company’s workflow productivity and capacity has increased by 80%. “We were very pleasantly surprised that the very fast machine speed of the Kongsberg XP cuts vinyl very quickly,” explains Hernandez. “We also like the table’s flexibility. Along with cutting, it can rout materials in low relief. Our client, Leonisa, combines our cut materials with their neon lights.”

“The Kongsberg table is the best system money can buy. In fact, we expect to purchase another Kongsberg XP within the year,” concludes Hernandez.

Clicherlux finds both print and business success with Esko Full HD Flexo

webmaster@esko.com (Esko) — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 16:18:00 +0100

Miamisburg, OH (USA), February 2013 – By implementing Esko Full HD Flexo with the ability to create a variety of dots on a plate, Clicherlux, a top tradeshop in Latin America, is developing flexo plates for packaging with increased highlight and shadow details that has extended gamuts, reduced ink units and ink use, offered faster makereadies and, most important, attracted new business to its doors. Its exceptional work has also earned the company Esko HD Flexo certification

Clicherlux, based in Valinhos, 70 km from São Paulo, with a second facility in Rio Verde, was founded in 1975. It is one of the largest tradeshops, offering the most services in Latin America. With more than 120 employees, it produces plates and cutting dies covering solutions for all facets for packaging, including corrugated, flexible packaging, letterpress and graphics. Clicherlux pioneered the manufacture of cutting dies for rotary cutting and creasing, and now has the latest technology in all markets in which it operates.

Customers are in good hands with Clicherlux, working with the finest technologies in each segment that they operate, with exceptional quality control. And, to meet customer demand, Clicherlux operates 24 hours a day, along with on-call service during holidays for emergencies. With this, Clicherlux customers, the largest and most important in Brazil, are confident in the Clicherlux brand.

Looking for enhanced quality with HD Flexo

“We have always worked with Esko, and owned a CDI Spark 4835 digital flexo imager,” says Luciano Trombeta, Gerente Técnico. “However, we had heard that flat top dots offered better imaging, particularly in the shadows. So, we conducted a lot of research into what would be the best way to achieve better solids. We were looking for enhanced quality with better dots, greater density, and improved contrast between highlights and shadows.”

After thorough research, Clicherlux decided that it would be best to purchase another Esko CDI – a CDI Spark 4260 – with HD Flexo along with the combination of Inline UV2 and dedicated screening. “The combination, called Esko Full HD Flexo, makes our customers’ printing even better,” notes Trombeta.

Inline UV2 offers inline digital main exposure in the same device. With smart automation for loading and unloading the plate, the CDI becomes a true "plate factory" with unattended operation and less manual intervention, leading to increased productivity. Esko can control the shape of different microcells in the top of flat top dots on one single plate. In doing so, the combination of smooth highlight printing and gravure-like solid ink laydown can be achieved. The result is a superior flexo plate that is delivering unique print quality in highlights, midtones, shadows and solids of a print job.

Full HD Flexo allows each of Esko's flexographic plate supplier partners to individually characterize parameters to attain the best results on their plates. Full HD Flexo includes plate specific screening to further enhance the solid ink density above today’s flat top dot standard. The Full HD Flexo high frequency Microcell screens are adapted to perform at their best for each plate supplier workflow.

It was easy to install the system. At first Clicherlux tested Full HD Flexo to determine how to get the best results on their plates. In only a month, they were using it in production.

Clicherlux has found that the results are excellent. “I like the flexibility of the system. It’s easier to combine different screens and dot shapes on the same plate with Full HD Flexo. When we changed the system, we found more detail in the highlights,” adds Trombeta. “Meanwhile, on the other side, the shadows are perfect. Because of this, it is expanding our gamut considerably. Our customers are printing a greater range of color. And, we are able to adapt Full HD Flexo plates to different flexo applications, such as flexibles, corrugated and paper.”

With the stability of Full HD Flexo flat top dots, Clicherlux’s prepress department can control curves and touch up images with Photoshop much more easily. “It’s as if flexo printing has turned into offset printing,” marvels Trombeta.

HD Flexo saves Clicherlux time and money

Because Clicherlux is able to extend its highlights and shadows, thus controlling its color, it is now able to spend less time working on image treatments. “For example, we had worked on packaging for 44 different flavors of ice cream. Each four flavors required one to two hours of prepress operator work for image treatment and curves,” says Trombeta. “The Full HD screening technology took care of transitioning highlights to zero. Along with flat top, Full HD dots, we were able to save more than 16 hours on this project alone.”

At times, Clicherlux is also able to reduce the number of ink units on press. “For a bread company, we printed the four flexo CMYK colors rather than going on press with eight gravure colors, as was done in the past,” explains Trombeta. “We prepared test plates with color squares assessing three variations of CMYK for each Pantone color. After we printed them, we showed the customer the best matches for each. We converted the Pantone colors to the best CMYK match on the original Illustrator design file. Using those colors, we went to press. The customer was extremely pleased with the results.”

Makereadies are easier, as well as the printing itself. On press, the stability of the flat top dot created by Full HD Flexo has allowed Clicherlux customers to work with higher line screens, but with the same anilox settings. Customers are pleased to get more quality and definition on press without having to invest on a new anilox. “It is helping us get better density and highlights faster,” explains Trombeta. “We can separate solids from the dots easier. We can get the gamut we used to get with eight colors, but with only four colors—and it looks better than before. It has been amazing. Our customers are printing better with four colors than they did with eight.”

Heavy ink coverage is not always helpful in flexo. Depending on the press setup, double prints may occur, wasting a lot of time on makereadies, because the press operators must tune the press and adjust with ink, sticky back, and other settings to avoid this problem. “We are glad to be able to easily work with different ink levels. By using Microcell screening, we can deliver different levels of ink coverage specially suited to the customer’s setup. We’re able to get ‘right on the spot’,” adds Trombeta. With Microcell screens, Clicherlux has also been able to improve small text and barcodes on micro-corrugated and folding cartons. Dots no longer ‘squash’ on press, and dot gain has been drastically reduced.

The black Ink coverage using Full HD Flexo is also an advantage for Clicherlux. “We have many jobs that needed two black plates to achieve a desirable ink laydown. Using the extreme Microcell screening offered by Esko, we can easily get sufficient black coverage with only one plate.” In the past, in order to assure good definition in some images, Clicherlux had to add cyan, magenta and yellow together with black. Because Full HD Flexo can produce highlights combined with good shadow contrast, Clicherlux can now achieve the same detail quality by using only black ink, alone.

“When you consider a job with a lot of objects, logos, and gradient elements, it’s amazing how flexible the system is. We can select each of those components individually and assign different Microcell screens,” explains Trombeta. “We are not limited with only one screen setting throughout the entire plate, where the press operator has to decide to apply high ink coverage on everything, or nothing. We can just select what is best for each area of the job. Using this feature, gradients get specific screening fitted to its application, while logos and solids get specific screening that fits to high ink coverage.”

Clicherlux earns HD Flexo certification

Clicherlux’s exceptional work on Full HD Flexo has earned it Esko HD Flexo certification. The Esko HD Flexo Certification program is a rigorous certification process requiring vendors to pass a number of strenuous tests. These include consistently producing ten different print samples from five different jobs. An annual renewal of certification ensures print quality is maintained in line with market developments.

Even with letterpress applications, the inline UV in the CDI Spark 4260 imager has been helpful. “The high-intensity UV LED light source has influenced the way we expose our plates. Our highlight dots are built much better. We are able to provide our customers plates that we could not have delivered using regular lamp exposures.”

“I can say we have reached the quality of offset printing, with no gain, or bump-up curves. Full HD Flexo is really producing the full tonal range from highlights to shadows. An Esko CDI digital flexo imager along with HD Flexo and Inline UV is the best combination in the market,” comments Trombeta. “We’re getting the flat top dots we wanted in the shadows, along with great screens in the highlights.”

While the new platemaking system is only a few months old, Clicherlux is already finding business advantages to the system. Esko’s software combined with imaging technology has opened many doors. “We are already taking work away from our competitors. The market is wide open and there are many opportunities. Full HD Flexo improves solid ink lay down, delivers smooth highlights and offers exceptional contrasts in the shadows. It finally fulfills the needs flexo has not been able to deliver, before,” concludes Trombeta.