At Labelexpo Americas 2018, ink logistics provider GSE is demonstrating its GSE Ink manager, a comprehensive software package with enhanced ink management capabilities. The company is also highlighting its Colorsat dispensing systems for flexo, gravure and screen inks, covering all label and packaging applications.

GSE Ink manager software enables label and packaging converters to minimize ink-related waste, providing improved ink yields, enhanced reporting and business planning, reduced setup times and traceability. In one-to-one demonstrations at the stand, visitors can experience the many value-added functions of the software, which now comes as standard with all GSE Colorsat dispensing systems.

The software maximizes the reuse of inks returned from the press by allowing them to be “clustered” together into one component, which is connected to the dispenser and processed automatically. Alternatively, buckets with return inks may be reserved or prepared for specific, scheduled jobs. Other functions are real-time stock and consumption information, per-job ink costings, ink batch tracking; integration with ink formulation and management information software; Wi-Fi connection to the dispenser and cloud connectivity. Ink manager can store recipes and corrections for new colors that are created with color formulation software, and dispense micro volumes for table-top proofing. Temporary and permanent color adjustments after dispensing can be made with color formulation software and stored via Ink manager.

Accompanying Ink manager, and debuting at Labelexpo Americas, is the new optional software module for better management of ink costing and ease and accuracy in determining volume requirements per print job.  

The module, named GSE Article management, calculates volumes of each color to be printed, and allows the user to define the designated press position per color. When the article is re-ordered, this information can be instantly recalled, thereby assuring identical color results with the correct amount of ink while the operator only needs to enter the desired number of articles to be printed.

GSE Article management also allows the operator to enter a choice of additional properties or references associated with printing the article. These relate to procedures or equipment, such as required viscosity level, selected anilox roll and designated press operator. The software also records all changes, so a traceable history of design changes, by revision stage, can be provided on demand.

Anne Lourens, managing director, GSE, comments, “Since it was launched at the beginning of 2018, Ink manager software has demonstrably delivered value, helping converters improve ink yields, provide quality assurance and accelerate decision-making. Visitors to the show are welcome to arrange a private demonstration at the GSE stand to experience how this software provides the basis for running a lean and smart printing operation.”