BPIF Labels Technical Seminar

The recent technical seminar on the state of the digital label printing market highlighted the current situation of this fast moving sector of the self-adhesive label printing sector.  The seminar, which was attended by some of the key players in the industry, was held at the Barcelò Hotel, Daventry, earlier this month.  After John Bambery, Chairman of BPIF Labels, had opened the seminar, Mike Fairley gave an address on the state of the market.  This set the scene for a very enlightening seminar.  He highlighted that digital label printing presses had grown from glorified office copiers to more solidly built and well engineered printing presses.  With growth rapidly increasing 15% year on year, he estimates that 40% of all label printing will be produced digitally by 2020.  This is confirmed by the fact that 1/3rd of all new presses sold at the recent Labelexpo exhibition in Brussels were for digital formats.  The digital processes are offering a more re-active response to changes in design, the growth of shorter run lengths and the ability to produce a full range of variants for the brand owners at reduced cost.

There then followed a presentation by Paul Bates of Esko.  He confirmed that the end of film is nigh, with only one European producer of film in existence.  He maintained that customers are not interested in which process is to be used, but focus on what is the most cost effective.  In many cases digitally produced labels offer the best product.  However, it was important to remember that, whatever process is used, the design and colour management processes have to be up to the job.  There is more need for electronic off line proofing devices to replicate accurately what is achieved on the press.  Therefore, it is imperative that state of the art colour management software is employed.

There were 4 further talks.  These were given by Paul Briggs of Xeikon, Steve Lakin of HP Indigo, Dr. Vlad Sljapic of Domino and Søren Ringbo of Nilpeter Caslon.  All spoke of the situation relating to the various digital processes available i.e. dry and liquid toners as well as ink jet.  The question of material substrates was not forgotten, with Axel Hartmann of UPM Raflatac highlighting the various substrates that can be used.

After lunch, Matt Burton of AB Graphics gave his presentation on the finishing systems used for digital presses.  It was customary for off-line systems to be installed, as it was often the case that an off-line system could keep pace with 2 or 3 digital presses.  However, with the advent of fast running presses there was a growing trend to employ in-line systems.  Two digital printers then gave their presentations - Trevor Smith of Amberley Labels, and Dr. Adrian Steele of Mercian Labels.  Both were very open about their companies’ experiences and the advantages and disadvantages of going digital.  With web to print software being a very useful medium for digital label printing, Andrew McKerlie and Katy Nightingale of Labeltraxx demonstrated how efficient a good web to print system can be in the efficient production of digitally produced labels.  The seminar concluded with a round-the-table discussion with all the speakers, and a range of questions and topics was covered.  The day concluded with a dinner.

Details of all the presentations are available for viewing on a bespoke web site.  BPIF Labels will be organising 2 seminars for the label industry in 2012, as well as a study tour of America to coincide with next year’s Labelexpo in Chicago.  A post Drupa technical seminar is being planned for May 2012, together with a seminar concentrating on best practice and lean manufacturing following in November 2012.  For details of BPIF Labels membership, these 2012 events and the web site, contact Liz Whyte at Liz.Whyte@bpif.org.uk .