Competition and the associated pressure on costs are increasing all the time in the label industry. This is making it more difficult for companies to hold their own and stand out from the crowd. Screen printing is one good way of creating higher added value through differentiation. Even with this printing method, though, it is becoming essential to continuously boost productivity. Taking an overall process view is the best way of achieving this.   more

If a company has been in the highly competitive self adhesive label business for almost 50 years it must be doing something right. Multiprint Labels Ltd situated at Swords near to Dublin airport is fast approaching that landmark anniversary in 2014.   more

For years, label printers have been facing growing pressure on costs and finding it harder to hold their own and stand out from the competition. Screen printing is one good way of creating higher added value through differentiation. Even with this printing method, though, it is becoming essential to continuously boost productivity. Taking an overall process view is the best way of achieving this. One part of this process that is becoming increasingly important is what happens to the screen after printing.   more

In emerging markets in particular, global urbanisation is leading to a major expansion of public transport systems, including underground networks. What's more, tickets now need to meet a whole host of additional requirements due to the increasing automation of passenger access systems. This article focuses on the main requirements in this context and the solutions Gallus has devised to satisfy them.   more

The prototype of the Gallus Cold Die Unit developed for use with the Avery Dennison ThinStreamTM Technology was unveiled to the public at Labelexpo Europe 2011 in Brussels. The live demonstrations at Avery Dennison's stand proved extremely popular with visitors from a wide range of different sectors.   more

The first article in this series explained the relevance of low-migration printing, while the second illustrated the effects of this type of printing in practice. The third and final part of the series addresses a number of specific challenges relating to the use of low-migration inks. The focus is not on scientific aspects but on the consequences for day-to-day label printing.   more

In addition to supporting the increasing administrative workload, digital integration of the entire workflow, from order acceptance to shipment, offers other important benefits such as providing status messages and information on material stocks or machine availability. The interplay between printing equipment, operating processes and integration system is key in this respect. It ultimately saves time and money while maintaining the same level of quality in line with the concept “work smarter – not harder”.   more

To achieve a good print result, particular attention needs to be paid to the most important parameters in rotary screen printing. The key factors influencing this printing method are the type of screen plate, the ink, the squeegee and the flow path. The article in this edition looks at the squeegee, because this is the parameter that press operators are best able to influence themselves in screen printing. The important requirements for the squeegee are to ensure the rubber is of the appropriate hardness, to print with the best possible squeegee edge and to find the optimum squeegee position.   more

Michael Poltmann, a mechanical engineering graduate of Giessen University of Applied Sciences, started his career at what was then Arsoma. He worked as a design engineer and was responsible for the machine systems that were to become the Gallus EM 410 and Gallus EM 280. When Gallus took over Arsoma, he remained with the company and now works for Gallus as a product line manager for the Gallus EMS machine system.   more