#miraclon

Prepress trade shop Flexone Graphics has invested in a Flexcel NX System and Flexcel NX Print Suite from Miraclon as part of its expansion with a second production site in Ahmedabad. The Flexcel NX Print Suite – now incorporated at its production site in Delhi – adds Miraclon’s UV Choice Printing for UV-printed narrow web applications and PureFlexo Printing for wide web flexible packaging to Flexone’s capabilities.

Both solutions employ Miraclon’s patented multi-form surface patterning technology and “continue our strategy of providing our customers with the unique, differentiated offerings necessary to stay ahead in today’s ever-changing market,” says Vimal Paliwal, director.

After successful careers in graphic design, Vimal and his brother Deepak, director, moved into prepress, initially providing offset prepress services from its Delhi facility. The company expanded into flexo prepress in 2017, installing a Flexcel NX Wide 4260 System.

After the Ahmedabad site opened in 2023, the company this year installed its second Flexcel NX Wide 4260 System to serve the demanding, quality-conscious narrow and wide web markets in the west of the country.

Straightforward decision

Deepak Paliwal says choosing the Flexcel NX System and Flexcel NX Print Suite for Ahmedabad was “a straightforward decision. The fact is, Flexcel NX Technology is the preferred choice for wide and narrow web printing, and a ‘must have’ if you want to stay competitive in a demanding market.”

Adds Vimal, “Our more discerning customers will specify Flexcel NX Plates for their work, because they recognize the on-press efficiency and quality advantages it has over LAMS plates. At the prepress stage, Flexcel NX Technology is 20-25% more productive because imaging is faster and high-quality jobs featuring vignettes and halftones, which test LAMS plates, are much simpler to render successfully. On the press, customers’ operators tell us Flexcel NX Plates come to color faster and produce more predictable results.”

Deepak Paliwal says, “The decision to move into flexo has proved a good move, as more and more brands are transitioning from offset to flexo. It used to be that only the larger brands were doing this, but now even smaller regional brands are switching to flexo for high-quality products with added on-shelf impact.”

Significant enhancements

Together, UV Choice Printing and PureFlexo Printing are tailored to significantly enhance Flexone Graphics’ capabilities on, respectively, UV flexo printed narrow web and wide web flexible packaging applications.

On a wide range of substrates, including foils, coated and uncoated labels, UV Choice Printing optimizes UV ink transfer and increases ink density by up to 15%. This eliminates troubleshooting quality issues on press and delivers better reproduction of solids, fine lines, crisp barcodes and text at lower ink volumes. It also simplifies and decreases set-up times by up to 20%.

Four prominent players in the packaging printing domain – Windmoller & Holscher (W&H), Miraclon, Apex International, and Tesa – joined forces to organize a conference on packaging, with a special emphasis on flexographic printing. The event at Crowne Plaza Hotel in Ahmedabad on May 3 drew stakeholders from across the flexible packaging value chain and addressed key themes, including cost integration, efficiency, and sustainability in packaging.

Anuj Sahni, sales & marketing director at W&H, commenced the proceedings with a welcome address, emphasizing the industry's focus on sustainability and the complementary nature of flexographic and gravure printing technologies. Sahni stressed the importance of flexible packaging converters adapting to customer demands, advocating for a versatile approach that incorporates both flexo and gravure technologies.

Sunil Kumar, technical sales consultant at W&H, delved into the integration of efficiencies with sustainability, highlighting technical aspects such as barrier films and varnishes. Kumar showcased W&H's solutions, including EASY-COL, a fully integrated on-press color management system, and Vision, an integrated web monitoring and inspection system.

Mahesh Mense, sales manager – Indian Peninsula, Apex International, discussed trends and innovations in flexographic printing, emphasizing advancements in press technology, plates, aniloxes, tapes, and inks. Mense talked about the evolution of Apex International’s GTT anilox technology, which was launched 12 years ago. He touched upon the advantage that GTT has over conventional anilox. GTT offers advantages such as consistency and cost efficiencies. A major advantage of GTT technology is in the form of ink wastage and longevity of doctor blades, he said.

Hersh Lulla, marketing manager - Asia Pacific Region at Miraclon, provided insights into developments in flexo printing, emphasizing the importance of efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Lulla also highlighted Miraclon's Flexcel NX digital platemaking system.

Stephanie Lee of Tesa discussed Tesa Softprint plate mounting tapes for flexographic printing, outlining their benefits such as fast job preparation, easy demounting, and adaptability to different climate conditions. Lee shared about Tesa's participation in drupa 2024, a leading trade fair for printing technologies.

Miraclon and Bobst have reinforced their strategic partnership with Miraclon named as the plate technology partner in Bobst’s new Competence Center in Atlanta. The center is home to a Flexcel NX System and Flexcel NX Ultra Processing Solution to support Bobst’s goal to produce plates that maximize the performance of their presses.

Emma Weston, chief marketing officer, Miraclon, said, “We’ve been collaborating closely with Bobst since our partnership in Europe started more than eight years ago. Visitors to the Bobst Bielefeld Demo Center in Germany have been able to see Flexcel NX plates in action after we installed a Flexcel NX System in 2019. Our strategic relationship underscores both companies’ commitment to enabling our customers and partners to achieve their efficiency, sustainability and quality goals with some of the best technology and expertise in the industry.”

The Bobst Competence Center will be utilized by Miraclon for on-press demonstrations and print trials, giving printers and trade shops in North and South America the opportunity to see firsthand the on-press productivity and savings that Flexcel NX Technology offers. The Miraclon and Bobst partnership will likewise see the companies co-hosting industry events to promote how the technology enables efficient packaging printing.

Emilio Corti, region business director, Americas, at Bobst said, “Our longstanding partnership with Miraclon underpins our vision of shaping the future of the packaging world. With sustainability at the forefront of our customers` and brand owners’ minds, our partnership enables them to see how our collaboration maximizes their investment and helps to unlock new potential in the press room.”

Miraclon is the home of Flexcel Solutions, which has helped transform flexographic printing for more than a decade. The technology, including the industry-leading Flexcel NX and Flexcel NX Ultra Systems, and Flexcel NX Print Suite that enables PureFlexo Printing, maximizes on-press efficiency, delivers higher quality and overall best-in-class results.

Miraclon has announced its plans for drupa 2024, guaranteeing to bring the benefits of modern flexo to packaging printers by enabling them to achieve their efficiency, sustainability and quality goals and maximize returns on flexo press investments.

Exhibiting in Hall 15, Stand F50, visitors will learn how Miraclon, through the delivery of critical technology and knowledge, is an enabler of the transformation to modern flexo; facilitating consistent, highly capable, efficient, sustainable printing, the company said in a release posted on its website.

The stand will showcase 12 case studies of commercial success, highlight nine new product innovations that build on the strength of core Flexcel NX technology, and provide access to Miraclon technical and commercial experts that can demonstrate the Miraclon difference and leverage firsthand experience to help customers navigate to business success.

“Flexo is an attractive and growing segment of the packaging printing industry and is evolving from its traditional capabilities, practices and processes to a new era of modern flexo that is a standardized, sustainable manufacturing process. And, with printers under increasing pressure from brands to be more efficient and sustainable in their production, we invite them to visit the Miraclon booth to see, learn and experience how Miraclon, together with our network of valued partners including prepress providers, technology suppliers and channel partners, can help them develop a practical plan for success. We guarantee it will be worth their time,” Chris Payne, chief executive officer, said.

At the Miraclon stand, visitors will see, learn and experience:

Champions of Modern Flexo: Real-life case studies of 12 printers that have met challenging brand client needs and achieved dramatic financial and sustainability goals after successfully implementing Flexcel NX technology, aided by the technical expertise of Miraclon and its valued prepress partners.

Expert knowledge-based services: Including consultancy, savings tools & calculators, and technical & applications support to enable printers to maximize their returns in the press room.

Product Innovation: Showcasing nine of its newest innovations that that build on and strengthen the core Flexcel NX Technology to put printers on a clear path towards modern flexo, including:

The Flexcel NX Ultra 42 Processor: Miraclon is a leader in high-performing, water washable plate technology. Building on the success of the Flexcel NX Ultra 35 processor for narrow-web applications, the new Flexcel NX Ultra 42 Processor offers a key proof point for achieving this in a high-volume, low maintenance plate production environment. Its water washable plates offer the same benefits as its solvent processed plates in the transition to Modern Flexo.

Shine LED Lamp Kits: Shine LED Lamp Kits, innovated by Miraclon, are a simple and cost-effective path to UV LED plate exposure that makes an even more consistent flexo plate. Increased plate consistency leads to even greater efficiencies in printing.

A preview of next generation Flexcel NX Plate and Flexcel NX Ultra Plate Technologies: LED optimized plate technology that offers even cleaner printing for greater efficiency and sustainability benefits.

Miraclon, home of Kodak Flexcel Solutions, recently announced the launch of spot color support for PureFlexo printing. Delivered as a new feature set for the Kodak Flexcel NX print suite for flexible packaging, the announcement enables flexible packaging printers to expand the cost-saving benefits of PureFlexo printing to higher volume anilox applications. Introduced in 2021 for process printing, PureFlexo Printing controls unwanted ink spread. It allows for greater latitude on the press to meet today’s high-quality expectations of brand clients while maximizing plant output and efficiency. It reduces unscheduled press stops and ultimately improves businesses’ financial bottom line. It is consistent with Miraclon’s commitment to delivering a constant stream of innovation to customers.

“PureFlexo Printing is enabled by unique multi-functional plate surface patterns designed to precisely control ink flow during printing. The rigorously tested and patented technology set now includes surface patterns with edge effects specifically designed to manage the ink flow characteristics of spot color inks,” says Dr John Anderson, director of Advanced Printing Applications at Miraclon. “When higher anilox volumes are used for traditional larger pigment-based spot colors, it usually results in harder tapes, higher impression, and other common printing practices to adjust to the higher anilox volumes. These practices often produce undesirable print effects such as halo, dirty print, and TEV (trailing edge void). At the same time, the higher ink volumes also have greater drying needs, causing a slowdown in the flexographic printing process to increase drying capacity. PureFlexo Printing addresses all these typical issues to ensure better uptime and consistency on press.”

“Spot color support for PureFlexo printing is an important addition to any trade shop or converter’s toolset to maximize productivity in the press room,” adds Grant Blewett, chief commercial officer at Miraclon. “As businesses are continuously looking at improving efficiency to increase their financial bottom line while also minimizing their environmental impact, many customers are already experiencing the benefits that PureFlexo Printing delivers. The savings soon add up when the reduction of just one unscheduled press stop per day on a press can deliver up to 60,000 Euro or $65,000 in savings per year. The addition of its use for spot colors will now further support their business growth.”

The judges for this year’s Global Flexo Innovation Awards, hosted by Miraclon, have been announced. The panel comprises eight flexo industry influencers and technical experts who bring vast experience from every segment of the flexographic value chain. Each judge’s area of expertise offers a unique take on the judging criteria, which will mark each entrant against their show-stopping creativity, the transition to flexo from another print process, print production workflow efficiency, and commitment to sustainable print.

Joining this year’s independent judging panel are, Laurel Brunner (UK), consultant and journalist for Digital Dots, Verdigris & Spindrift; Matthew Daniels (UK), Artwork Excellence Innovation manager at Unilever; Stefano d’Andrea (Italy), Industrial Graphic expert; Kai Lankinen (Finland), executive partner and co-owner of Marvaco Ltd; Sebastian Longo (Argentina), president and managing director of Fotograbados Longo S.A; Ken McGuire (US), a research fellow at Procter & Gamble; Jason Goode (Australia), packaging manager at Reece Group; and Dr Chip Tonkin (US), chair – Department of Graphic Communications at Sonoco Institute of Packaging Design & Graphics.

Chairing the judging panel, after being a judge for the first awards in 2018, will be Christopher Horton, former senior vice president of Southern Graphics Systems (SGS). Christopher has had a distinguished career in graphic services, having founded Advance Printing Products. (APP) in 1988. He then became a senior executive within Southern Graphic Systems when the two businesses merged in early 2001. Christopher was instrumental in the company’s growth to become a global graphic services provider before he retired from SGS in 2015. He remains active in graphics services and provides business optimization and exit planning consulting services.

Emma Schlotthauer, chief marketing officer at Miraclon, comments, “Across the flexo printing marketplace, there are a host of innovative companies driving technological enhancements throughout the production process, even in unprecedented times like these. At Miraclon, we want more than ever to honor the talent and innovation in the industry, driving flexo forward. That’s why we’re returning this year with the second Global Flexo Innovation Awards to place a spotlight on companies using flexo to expand their business horizons. Through the awards, we’re not only celebrating these companies and sharing their inspirational stories, but we’re also connecting like-minded individuals to create a valuable global network. We’re excited to be strengthening that network with this year’s awards program.”

Schlotthauer concludes, “Without our independent judging panel, our Global Flexo Innovation Awards are not possible. We are thrilled to be welcoming nine judges to our panel this year, each who have vast experience and unique perspective of the flexo print industry. Collectively, they are ideally qualified to recognize the entries that have made the most significant impact across the packaging value chain and we look forward to hearing their choices and revealing the winners.”

Launched in 2018, the Global Flexo Innovation Awards were introduced to recognize companies at the forefront of the transformation of the flexographic printing industry. Looking beyond print quality and technical execution, which is expected to be of the highest caliber, entrants are challenged to demonstrate how flexo printing and Kodak Flexcel NX technology, with their own innovative approach, has been used to achieve outstanding results throughout the whole production process, from design to production efficiency and commitment to sustainability.