Color-Logic, developer of the Process Metallic Color System, recently showcased how this process can be used across various media—corrugated folding cartons, labels, and signage—to create a unified brand concept in print. The Color-Logic Design Suite software—used to create the print files and ensure uniformity in various media—enables graphic designers to add decorative effects to their packaging products with a single mouse click. As per Mark Geeves, director of sales and marketing, Color-Logic said, “Every day, more brands utilize Color-Logic software, not only for production, but when prototyping their package designs. The Color-Logic FX-Viewer permits metallic designs to be viewed on the design monitor before printing, significantly reducing the number of package proofs before printing.”

Color-Logic develops colour communication systems and software tool sets for a variety of special effect printing applications. Color-Logic provides brand owners, product managers, corporations, and their advertising agencies the ability to differentiate themselves and their clients with a simple print production process that yields dramatic results. Color-Logic decorative effects utilize the existing workflows of printers and designers, yielding dynamic results without the use of special equipment. Color-Logic supports the value of print and works with designers and printers to enhance their printed media.

To establish a joint venture called Bulleh Shah Packaging (Private) Limited, Stora Enso has signed an agreement with Packages Ltd, one of the largest packaging and board producer and converter in Pakistan. Stora Enso’s initial shareholding will be 35 percent with a commitment to increase the shareholding at the agreed value to 50 percent at a later stage subject to certain conditions being met. The joint venture will include the operations of the Kasur mill and Karachi plant currently owned by Packages Ltd to provide packaging products to key local and international customers in the fast-growing Pakistani market.

“With growing demand for packaging products and paperboard, the Pakistani market offers an attractive growth opportunity for us and the joint venture will enable us to increase our capability to serve our key customers,” says Mats Nordlander, executive vice president, renewable packaging business area.

To showcase its strength of packaging solutions at the show with a focus on prepress and Digital Flexo NX plates for flexographic printing along with its offset and proofing solution, Kodak is to participate in the forthcoming exhibition Label Expo India 2012, to be held from October 29– November 01. In the graphic communications market, Kodak offers broad portfolio of packaging solutions to help customers grow their business.

Kodak Unified Workflow, Prepress and Digital Flexo NX plates for flexographic printing are designed to enable customers to print better and drive business growth through increased impact and production efficiencies, opening new doors for flexographic printers and service providers. One of the key solutions that will be highlighted at the show is Flexcel NX System: a complete solution for digital plate making that enables to push the boundaries of flexo printing. Flexcel NX System delivers unique imaging technology and innovative materials ensuring unprecedented image quality, stability and predictability in prepress and the pressroom.

The strong majority of physical volume of print in label, folding carton, and flexible packaging printing will continue to be printed by analogue presses for at least the next ten years. In that interval, though, colour digital presses will continue to increase their role and their share of physical volume. In folding carton and flexible packaging printing – where colour digital presses now have only a tiny role – colour digital presses will be working in tandem with conventional presses, as they do now in the label converting industry, conveys InfoTrends in a multi-client study entitled ‘What Do Converters Want?’

InfoTrends estimates that converters’ 2011 billings for colour digital printing reached $2.75 billion globally, and forecasts it at over $5.0 billion by the end of 2016. There is a high interest among converters and even brand owners in colour digital as a print method, one that can allow the printing of jobs that are hard to print, especially short runs. Although there is a high interest in digital printing, there is currently low penetration of labels and packaging. Less than 10 percent of colour labels for consumer goods and less than one percent of folding cartons and flexible packaging are now printed digitally. Meanwhile, digital print technology meets essential requirements and is a cost effective alternate to conventional presses for many existing label and packaging print jobs.