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At Labelexpo Americas 2012, Esko solutions offer
label printers 'results that make you smile'
Booth showcases PantoneLIVE™ support, hybrid printing
workflow, remote proofing solutions, and more new tools for tag
and label printers
Miamisburg, OH (USA), July 2012 – At booth 5202, Esko (www.esko.com) will participate at
Labelexpo Americas 2012 (September 11-13, Chicago) with its largest presence ever. Esko will
demo a range of products and services that offer tag and label printers ‘Results that make you smile’
– the company’s campaign theme launched at drupa. In addition to a host of products introduced at
drupa, the company is unveiling new solutions that will be of specific interest to tag and label
printers.
“Over the past year Esko has been developing a number of new prepress applications for label
printers working with flexo, digital, gravure or offset. We offer an extensive array of sophisticated
software tools, flexo plate imagers and finishing systems. All of our solutions have one objective: to
help companies optimize costs, streamline workflows and improve quality and consistency,” remarks
Mark Quinlan, President, Esko Americas. “I am confident that any visitor to our booth will find a
number of solutions capable of delivering results that will make them smile.”
New product focus for label production
At Labelexpo Americas, visitors can expect the commercial availability of PantoneLIVE™ support
within Esko’s workflows. PantoneLIVE™ delivers an end-to-end color management and color
communication solution that, for the first time, addresses the needs and requirements of every single
discipline within the packaging supply chain. The brand manager will see an accurate representation
of on-press color early in the design process, while converters can be assured of first-time-right color
proofing and easy-to-match color on press. Experience with beta sites that have been testing the
solution show very positive ROIs.
In a related development to PantoneLIVE™, Esko recently developed an improved ink model. This
is a critical component to the definition of color from the PantoneLIVE™ cloud. The new ink model
helps to predict how PANTONE® colors interact, and overprint on press. Using spectral analysis, the
technology will produce an inkjet proof that shows an accurate representation of what the result of
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two overprinting spot colors will look like on the press.
Esko will be also be describing its ongoing efforts in remote proofing, where this technology
produces the same results remotely as they do at the primary prepress site. Esko will be offering a
softproofing solution first, with easy off-site calibration.
Historically, when labels are produced with hybrid printing – typically a screen or flexo press in
tandem with a digital press – separate workflows are required to drive each station. That’s because
each printing process requires different parameters such as inks and distortions. Esko will be
introducing new automated production software that requires just one workflow to drive all the
stations – with the elimination of many steps, and reduction of errors as a result.
North American premiere of latest solutions for label prepress
During Labelexpo, a raft of new solutions launched earlier this year at drupa will be shown for the
first time in North America. On twelve workstations, visitors will discover a wide array of software
solutions addressing label and tag artwork, management, design and prepress, color management,
workflow automation and process integration. With the release of Suite 12, Esko focuses on adding
value for the user by introducing new productivity and efficiency benefits. This is done by closely
integrating all flagship tools and engines, by adding rich 3D functionality for a holistic experience,
and by enabling mobile collaboration and web-based packaging management.
Featuring WebCenter 12, Automation Engine 12, Color Engine 12, Studio 12 and the version 12
editions of flagship editors ArtiosCAD, PackEdge, ArtPro and DeskPack, Suite 12 raises the bar
for process integration from design to press, involving all players in the supply chain. It provides a
complete answer to the challenges of a modern label preproduction workflow.
The Digital Finishing highlight of the event will be the new Kongsberg XN: a highly versatile and
productive digital finishing table that can be configured easily for the widest range of applications
from kiss-cutting to packaging mockups, heavy-duty milling and simple to complex flexo plate cutting
with ID marking. This new table comes equipped with the impressive milling spindle MultiCUT-HP,
boosting overall milling productivity. Along with the Kongsberg XN20 will be the Kongsberg i-XE10
Auto, a versatile and productive digital finishing system, perfect for all kinds of labels. Equipped with
a stacker and sheet feeding system, the Kongsberg i-XE10 Auto finishes small-format, short-run
digital printed materials, accepting sheets as large as 35.4" x 47.2".
Esko’s Digital Flexo Suite automates and improves plate preparation activities in the flexo plate
room and reduces plate waste by at least 15% — as well as significantly reducing errors and labor.
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By nesting label artwork onto plates and cutting them automatically on the Kongsberg cutting table,
printers save plate material and produce label artwork faster.
Esko digital flexo plate imaging: delivering label printers outstanding print quality
At Labelexpo, Esko will showcase its leadership in advanced digital flexo solutions. Combining CDI
digital flexo imagers with HD Flexo technology, Esko has driven flexo printing to quality comparable
to gravure and offset, delivering customers the high quality print results they demand. Worldwide,
hundreds of HD Flexo Certified customers, digital flexo partners and vendors benefit from accurate,
sharp imaging quality combined with greater consistency and full tonal range, including highlights
with gradients down to zero, stable mid-tones and higher ink density solids. This means end users
can have more striking and visually impressive products with all-important shelf impact. In addition,
the innovative development of creating flat top dots with Inline UV generates sharper definition for
outstanding image results. A wide variety of brilliant real-life label and flexible packaging samples
will be presented on the stand. Also on display will be the economically priced new size of CDI 2420
for small label companies working with tight budgets.
Esko shares its passion for label printing with strong partners throughout the show
HP Indigo (3223) and Esko have a close, successful strategic partnering and pioneering
relationship in digital print for labels and packaging. This collaboration has been well received by
converters who are making the transition to digital production in a highly competitive market. The
combination of Esko’s leading workflow tools and the unmatched quality and efficiency of HP Indigo
digital presses has set a lofty standard for labels and packaging. HP SmartStream Labels and
Packaging workflow solutions, powered by Esko, simplify prepress and color management in digital
label and packaging workflows for HP Indigo industrial presses. Advanced capabilities include color
space conversions and color management, bar code generation, step & repeat and variable data
capabilities. To demonstrate their partnership, on the Esko booth photos of visitors – in front of a
green screen – will be taken and processed through Esko Automation Engine 12. Completed images
will be sent to the HP booth, where they will be printed on an HP WS6600 digital press as
personalized portraits in front of a Chicago landmark.
Next to the Esko booth, DuPont Packaging Graphics (5403) and Pitman Company will display the
CDI Spark 2530, showing how plates can be imaged and labels automatically cut on the Kongsberg
XN. The CDI 2530 images digital flexo plates up to 25” x 30” and comes with an incorporated plate
loading table and a EasyClamp II drum for easier and faster plate loading.
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Other partners, such as Anderson & Vreeland (booth 929), JV Imaging Solutions (booth 5523),
Xpedx (booth 3908) and others are likely to display Esko software, CDI imagers and Kongsberg
finishing tables during Labelexpo.
Esko to share its knowledge during a number of Labelexpo events
Esko is significantly involved not only with product demonstrations at its booth, but also in
educational activities for the benefit of attendees.
On September 13, the Digital Printing Master Class will help label and packaging converters
looking to invest in digital printing for the first time. The master class will feature key industry experts
who will explore the current state of the art in digital printing, analyze the primary digital printing
technologies, evaluate workflow and color management and identify in- and off-line finishing options
– among other topics. Jan De Roeck, Esko Director Solutions Management, will offer a presentation
covering prepress solutions for cost efficient and profitable digital printing of labels and packaging.
Esko also participates in the Labelexpo technology workshops. This years' Laser Die Cutting
workshop will feature Sei Spa, Spartanics, AB Graphic International and Delta Industrial in four
workshops overseen by a neutral moderator, cutting different profiles for labels. During the
workshop, Esko will be receiving web-to-print and MIS data and provide the front-end design and
workflow support for all participants.
Package printing is one of the fastest growing areas in the industry. New technologies in this area
will be showcased in the Package Printing Zone in a dedicated area in Hall C during three daily
workshops. Preceding each session, Esko will be offering insight into the design and color
management considerations for digitally printed folding cartons and in-mold labels.
“Esko has always taken a leadership role teaching printers about the nuances of package and label
printing,” adds Quinlan. It’s not just enough to offer exceptional solutions. We want our customers –
and the industry – to make the most of the tools they have. An educated industry is more
competitive and more successful, which is good for everyone.”
About Esko (www.esko.com)
Esko is a global supplier of integrated solutions for packaging, sign and display finishing, commercial
printing and professional publishing. Esko products and services help customers raise productivity,
reduce time-to-market, lower costs and expand business and improve profitability.
Portfolio
Esko is the worldwide market leader with software for artwork creation, structural design, preproduction, workflow automation, quality assurance and online collaboration. Esko solutions support
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and manage the packaging and print processes at brand owners, retailers, designers and packaging
manufacturers.
CDI flexo computer-to-plate imagers and Kongsberg digital finishing systems complete the portfolio for
the packaging, label, signage and display industries.
Enfocus, with its suite of PDF tools for graphic designers and print production professionals, is part of
Esko.
Facts & numbers
Esko employs around 1200 people worldwide. Its direct sales and service organization covers Europe,
the Americas and the Asia Pacific region, completed by a network of distribution partners in more than
50 countries.
Esko is headquartered in Gent, Belgium, and has R&D and manufacturing facilities in five European
countries, the United States, China and India.
For more information, visit www.esko.com or contact:
P.R. agencies
Europa, Asia, África
Nancy Vermeulen
duomedia
Tel: +32 2 560 21 50
[email protected]
Esko
Corporate and EMEA
Jef Stoffels
Director of Corporate Marketing
Tel: +32 9 216 90 32
[email protected]
North America
Irvin Press
Press+
Tel: +1 508 384 0608
[email protected]
Americas
Tim Zula
Director, Mktg. Communications
Tel: +1 937 535 6060
[email protected]
Asia-Pacific
Stephanie Peh
Marketing Manager
Tel: +65 624 994 49
[email protected]
Japan
Simon Ivarsson
Pre-sales & Marketing Manager
Tel: +81 3 5909 7631
[email protected]
China
Charles Chan
Marketing Director Greater China
Tel: +86 21 6057 6565
[email protected]
All press releases, as well as corresponding product pictures, are available at the press section at
www.esko.com.
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