The post High-Speed Lamination Without the Headaches appeared first on Graphco.

At Printing United in Orlando, Morten B. Reitoft from INKISH met with Chris Manley, president of Graphco, to discuss how the company continues to innovate and help printers expand into higher-margin opportunities. The Graphco booth once again reflected Manley’s energy and creativity, centered on a clear theme: “The Unfair Advantage.”

That phrase, Manley explained, defines Graphco’s mission to give its customers a real competitive edge—enabling them to outproduce and outprofit their peers through smart investments. One of the standout demonstrations was the SD AUGUSTA F-150R2 hybrid CNC routing and cutting system, made in Italy. The machine was shown producing high-value signage in just a few minutes, turning roughly $25 in raw materials into finished products that sell for around $200. Designed for automation and ease of use, the system can cut, route, and automatically weld studs, allowing even non-specialized operators to create complex, ready-to-install signage.

Manley emphasized how this kind of productivity and profitability is exactly what printers need in a market where 10–15% gross margins are typical. For about $5,000–$6,000 per month in lease payments, he explained, a print service provider can own a system that generates products with far higher returns than traditional print work.

Graphco also showcased the Foliant Taurus 530 4×4 laminator, built in the Czech Republic, which can laminate both sides of a 12×18″ sheet at nearly 8,000 sheets per hour. Manley noted that it is ideal for digital and offset printers alike—particularly those producing menus, covers, and other laminated applications requiring high throughput and premium finish quality.

Another highlight was the FoldStream folder-gluer from Hanover, Germany. Compact, easy to use, and built for short- to medium-run packaging and pocket folders, the FoldStream provides automation and productivity typically reserved for much larger, more expensive systems. Priced at roughly half of competitive equipment, it opens opportunities for smaller printers to enter the folding carton and packaging market.

Manley described convergence—the blending of commercial print, signage, and packaging—as a central growth opportunity. He stressed that short-run packaging is especially promising because it brings repeat business and strong margins, unlike many traditional print segments.

True to Graphco’s philosophy, Manley underscored that every piece of equipment they sell must help customers make money. His guiding principle, as he put it, is simple: “As we serve, we succeed.” For him, Graphco’s growth is directly tied to helping printers thrive through automation, creativity, and the pursuit of profitable new markets.

The post At PRINTING United, INKISH’s Morten B. Reitoft spoke with Graphco president Chris Manley about innovations helping printers grow profitably. appeared first on Graphco.

Globally, the market for new postpress equipment could approach $5 billion this year, according to a study from market research/testing firm Smithers. Several finishing equipment suppliers were among more than 340 exhibitors in mid-February at the Packaging Innovations 2023 event in Birmingham, England. Recently (February 27-March 2), the print industry gathered in Switzerland for Hunkeler Innovationdays – the international event where more than 50 high-performance digital printing and finishing solutions will be exhibited.

When the ink (or toner) on paper is dry, often the fun of printed production has only just begun. Previously, we reported on print’s “special powers” and how strategic marketers keenly tune into end-customer’s user experiences (UX). So-called “embellishments,” specialty print applications can enhance the printed medium, making it “louder” and taking UX to the next level.  Embellished finishing effects combine the science of touch with the power of print for a truly tactile UX.

Different shades of foil, metallic and non-metallic, are available, Chiappetta points out. “The production challenge is taking care not to print behind what is being [foil] stamped,” he notes, “because that could distort the image.”

Laminated products can be improved and increased with metalized foils and spot varnishing over digital toners. The Foliant line of industrial laminators features such foiling capabilities as an option. Distributed in North America by Graphco, Foliant’s value-added applications include everything from direct mail, posters and high-end product brochures to soft- and hard-cover books, photobooks, restaurant menus and even high-strength advertisement shopping paper bags.

Another postpress, offline technique involves UV, soft-touch laminates, which yield tactile, feathering effects. These are heatset and “reduce fingerprint smudges,” Chiappetta reports. Two other trends in finishing for 2023 may be more practical and functional than glamorous, he adds:

• Spot UV coatings still are popular. “They require using a plate and cost a little more, but the effect is stunning on contrasting paper.”
  
• Overall gloss laminates are effective at alleviating oily fingerprinting concerns on high-gloss applications.

Virtual Community for Digital “Embellishment”

A subgroup of the Foil & Specialty Effects Association (FSEA) has created an online forum for technical questions and resource sharing. In February, the Digital Embellishment Alliance (DEA) launched its “members only” website community to provide a comprehensive resource surrounding the growing digital embellishment segment of the printing industry. It includes a forum for members to ask technical questions as they pertain to digital embellishments and share experiences with project challenges and successes.

In addition, the community includes a section that allows members to become a part of specific DEA groups. For instance, members can choose between an Owner/Management group, an Operator’s group or a Design with Digital Embellishment group. As the community grows, “Meet Ups” will be scheduled for each group via Microsoft Teams, where experiences with digital embellishments can be shared. In addition, the site will include a Resource area for studies commissioned by FSEA on the impact of print embellishments and a recent study on the sustainability of foil decorated paper/board.

“The use of digital embellishments continues to grow but still is very new to many who are designing for digital embellishments on print or operating the equipment,” stated Jeff Peterson, FSEA executive director. “Our hope is that the formation of the DEA and the website community will help create an educational platform for all of those involved or looking to become involved with the processes.”

To learn more about the Digital Embellishment Alliance, the DEA website community and how to join, visit www.fsea.com and click on the “Digital Embellish” tab or contact Jeff Peterson at jeff@fsea.com or call 785.271.5816.

The Digital Embellishment Alliance (DEA) provide targeted benefits related to accelerating the mainstream adoption of digital embellishment technologies, including standardization initiatives, designer outreach, trend analysis and brand education. https://fsea.com/digital/

​Need more information?

​We are happy to reach out to you with answers to any of your questions.

The post Latest Trends in Finishing: Postpress equipment market could approach $5 billion dollar industry this year worldwide appeared first on Graphco.