As part of EskoWorld 2019, Esko, the prepress software and hardware specialist, recognized a host of “Packaging Heroes.” Multiple label printers had personnel acknowledged for developing exceptional labels and packaging with Esko’s product suites.

During his welcome address, new Esko president Mattias Bystrom referenced the public’s trust in packaging, and the personnel who help build this trust should be regarded as packaging heroes.

“Our mission at Esko is to support the heroes who can hold trust in their company’s capabilities, and therefore in the entire packaging value chain,” Bystrom said at EskoWorld, which took place from June 24-26 in Nashville, TN, USA.

Marybeth Foss, director of prepress at Fortis Solutions Group, is one such packaging hero who was highlighted at the event. Headquartered in Virginia Beach, VA, Fortis delivers a wide range of products with its flexographic and digital printing capabilities. The company produces pressure sensitive and non-PS labels, flexible packaging, shrink sleeves, small offset (office supplies), and folding carton.

Fortis is able to unify all its prepress departments with Esko Automation Engine and Color Engine. “Automation Engine has helped us reduce redundant touch points, allowing the Graphics team members to focus on the artwork files,” says Foss. “We have been able to automate decision making, allowing for standardized outputs.”

Fortis also utilizes Deskpack plug-ins, including Dynamic Barcode, Dynamic Content, PowerTrapper, Powerlayout, VDP on HP; Automation Engine, Color Engine, Plato, Ink Tools, Flexo Tools, HD Screening, Curve Pilot, PressSync Pilot, Pack Proof/Imaging Engine, Connect. The software provides a singular customer experience, allowing standardized packaging and streamlined processing.

“It’s very easy to use Esko software, and train our employees on it,” explains Foss. “Everything that Automation does for Fortis prepress allows our staff to focus on what they do best. The workflows do the rest. Once the team gets used to ‘rules,’ the rest is easy. Often they want to learn more about how it works and how to build new things.”

For Foss, Esko has helped her immensely with Fortis’ day-to-day operations. “So far, I have been able to use this software to navigate just about every solvable challenge,” she notes. “If you can dream it, you can build it. Having repeatable rules and structured variables is priceless.”

EskoWorld provides a platform for packaging professionals like Foss to gather and share their won trials and tribulations–as well as their respective solutions. “There are lots of us out there and we all face similar struggles,” says Foss. “We can help each other and learn from each other.”

Esko highlighted Foss during the opening sessions of the event, specifically for her work with Esko’s software. “As it relates to prepress management, the honor really means everything to me,” she says. “I have spent my entire career focused on building and driving these synergies. To be acknowledged as a ‘Packaging Hero’ means that I have worked hard enough at my goals that others are able to see and use my perspective and opinion to make the future brighter. It means that what I do is impactful and what I contribute is useful. What else could any professional ask for?”