Packaging simplified: A complete solution for label and packaging converters

Rite Incorporated, a global leader in colour science and technology, and its subsidiary Pantone LLC will join its sister companies Esko and AVT at Labelexpo 2017 in Brussels, Belgium, September 25-28.

These companies are aiming to give label and packaging converters the opportunity to see the industry’s most complete label and packaging solutions. At Labelexpo, X-Rite, Pantone and Esko will be located in Hall 3 at Stand C50 and AVT will be located in Hall 9 at Stand C05.

“X-Rite, Pantone, Esko, and AVT – all members of the Danaher family – have an extensive impact on the labels and packaging market,” said Cindy Cooperman, global director of packaging and brand, X-Rite. “For the first time at Labelexpo, X-Rite, Pantone and Esko will be located on the same stand for a convenient one-stop approach to solutions for inspiration, design, communication, colour management, and quality control. Customers will see combined solutions that simplify many steps in the process of label production and improve customer communication and production quality. Additionally, AVT, the world leader in print inspection, print process control, and quality assurance solutions, will showcase systems for automation and efficiency supporting Industry 4.0 production environments. Together, we are the only organisation in the industry that can provide this level of end-to-end integration for labels and packaging converters.”

Visitors to the Esko, X-Rite and Pantone stand will find ways to leverage technology to expand print production capacity and profitability while producing quality output to meet customer demands. This includes:

– Managing press runs with X-Rite ColorCert, which delivers real-time process control, tracking and reporting.

– Utilising lean manufacturing techniques and integration of standard work to reduce errors on the production floor.

– Integration of Pantone physical and PantoneLIVE digital standards for uncompromising print quality across even the most sophisticated plant or complex supply chain.

– Identifying the right tools to empower operators to schedule jobs between digital and conventional print for the utmost in accuracy, efficiency and cost-effective performance.

“In labels and packaging, ensuring consistent colour across a global supply chain is still a challenge for many brands and the converters that support them,” added Cooperman. “The first step in addressing this challenge is delivering a colour specification that can be consistently implemented and measured against during the production process. That’s exactly what we will be showing at Labelexpo: an end-to-end colour workflow that will help brands and converters ensure consistent, reliable colour, with faster time to market, lower costs and less rework and waste.”

New brand packaging starter kit bundle

Visitors will also have the opportunity to take advantage of a new brand starter kit bundle that is customisable for specific brand workflows within the labels and packaging industry, quickly putting brands on the right path to an intelligent, data-driven colour and print quality program. The brand starter bundle includes:

– A portable spectrophotometer (either the X-Rite eXact or the Ci64)

– PantoneLIVE license for production with visualiser providing common colour digital standards for a wide variety of packaging materials and processes

– ColorCert InkRoom tools for simple pass or fail software measurement of ink colour

– Judge QC light booth to ensure evaluation of colour under controlled lighting conditions

“This affordable brand starter bundle will quickly pay for itself in improved results for both brands and converters,” Cooperman concluded. “It includes a one-day WebEx training with an X-Rite Solutions Architect that is personalised to each organisation. This, along with access to our online training library, helps organisations quickly get up to speed and immediately begin benefiting from more efficient operations.”

Brand guides and beyond

At Labelexpo, X-Rite will be offering two free guides designed for brand owners and converters that will help improve communication and educate on the latest label and packaging colour technologies.

The ‘Getting colour right on consumer packaging’ guide provides brand owners with insight, advice and guidance on specifying, measuring, managing and securing real-time reporting for a data-driven print quality program. The guide is also an excellent educational tool for converters to use with customers.

The ‘Fundamental guide to colour process control’ guide helps converters understand where operations fall on the colour continuum and what steps are needed to take a businesses to the next level.

X-Rite will be conducting daily product and workflow demonstrations for visitors who work in the areas of design, premedia, ink formulation and print. In addition, X-Rite Ink Formulation demonstrations will be available at the following partner stands:

– Codimag: Hall 11, Stand C10

– Pulse-Roll Label Products: Hall 3, Stand C60

– BOBST: Hall 3, Stands A58, A60, A64