With drupa, the world’s largest printing industry trade show taking place just 45 days after Dscoop San Antonio, many exhibitors opted to launch their products at the event’s Solutions Showcase. With show organizers dubbing the event the “North American drupa,” the labels and packaging industry was well represented in San Antonio at the 116,000 square foot exhibition, and many displayed their latest innovations.

The Solutions Showcase provided the first opportunity for converters to see AB Graphic’s FAST Track die – the new module for the Digicon Series 3, touted as the world’s fastest semi rotary diecutting system. The FAST Track die can run at speeds of up 150 m/m in semi rotary mode, with a repeat range of 100-558 mm. “With digital presses running faster, and a trend toward inline finishing, there is a definite demand for higher speed diecutting,” AB Graphic’s Al Spendlow said. At the Solutions Showcase, visitors were able to view this new technology running inline with the new HP Indigo 8000, HP’s newest digital label press that can run at speeds up to 262 fpm.

Dscoop also saw the US launch of AB Graphic’s Big Foot, the 50-ton hot foil/embossing head module for the Digicon Series 3. Using a rotating foil head, it can lay multiple foil colors along and across the web and literally raises embossing to a new level. “We have already installed a number Digicon Series 3s with the Big Foot around the world to customers who produce wine labels. The quality of added value labels it produces are second to none,” added Spendlow. “In fact, we have one customer who has just taken delivery of a Digicon equipped with two Big Foot modules – for the very purpose of producing top-end wine labels.”

The aforementioned HP Indigo 8000 created quite a buzz at the expansive HP booth at the Solutions Showcase. The press features two imaging engines inline to increase throughput and an optional priming unit. The press offers HP PrintOS connectivity, allowing customers to monitor print status remotely, as well as track and improve production performance over time. HP PrintOS is expected to be available for customers May 31, 2016, and the 8000 is expected to be commercially available later this year and will also be on display at both drupa and Labelexpo Americas.

Avery Products Corporation, a division of CCL and a manufacturer of labels and cards, announced at Dscoop its expanded AveryPRO line of professional-grade pre diecut and full-sheet labelstock for HP Indigo presses. Printers and graphic designers can now purchase new pressure sensitive substrates like Soft Touch and Silver Matte that eliminate the need for post-production finishes and specialized inks, reducing costs, increasing profitability and speeding up the printing process.

Exclusive to AveryPRO, the Soft Touch substrate offers what Avery says is “an understated elegance that transforms a basic label design into a touchable experience.” Along with branding items like soaps, candies and cosmetics, the substrate is ideal for adding an elegant touch to any product needing a high-quality look and feel. This premium material’s special coating provides a velvety feel that begs to be touched. While this type of finish has been available for magazine and book covers, as well as packaging, it is the first of its kind for the PS label market.

The new Silver Matte material provides a metalized look without the use of metallic inks. The soft silver color and smooth surface are perfect for adding an upscale look to health and beauty products and event and party accessories. The labelstock also features a permanent adhesive and is water and tear resistant, thus making it ideal for electronic asset tagging and beverage labeling.

Along with these two new materials, AveryPRO has added a collection of Semi-Gloss and Clear labelstock available with permanent and removable adhesives, a durable PET full-sheet stock, and polypropylene Name Badges. “Avery Products is excited to expand its AveryPRO digital press range with our new collection for HP Indigo digital presses,” said Liz Sanchez, group product manager for Avery Products Corporation. “The new line complements our existing collection of quality substrates, with the addition of some exciting new materials like Soft Touch and Silver Matte.”

Delta ModTech demonstrated at the Solutions Showcase its Spectrum finishing system, and the machine consistently drew large crowds throughout the event. The Spectrum finishing system offers the flexibility to diecut and coat a digitally printed web inline with an HP Indigo digital printer or off-line as a standalone finishing system. “Tight tolerance cuts, quick changeover and a modular platform make the Spectrum the most flexible solution for finishing,” said Delta’s marketing manager David Grenwis. “And our real-time technical support ensures your machine will be up and running, always.”

In addition to showcasing the latest version of its MIS software, Label Traxx personnel was on hand at Dscoop to discuss the concept of storytelling through video. “The ‘play’ button is becoming the most compelling call-to-action on the web. Research has found that using the word ‘video’ in an email subject line boosts open rates by 19%,” said Label Traxx president Ken Meinhardt.

More and more prospects’ and customers’ first impressions of a business will be online, he added, while describing the company’s recent success in capturing “the essence” of a label company. “You need to tell your story online and video is the preferred medium, Meindhardt said, as he walked attendees through a case study video series called “Homegrown,” which can be found online at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JeEUX2bU7us.

Rollem International, a manufacturer of finishing equipment technology for the commercial print, packaging and mail-house markets, announced in Texas the release of its newest line of rotary diecutting equipment –the Insignia Series. 

“The Insignia diecutter series provides several options in configurations and sizes to ensure we custom fit each unique business with the best performing and most cost-effective machine for individual production needs,” explained Kevin Corwin, product manager. “The line offers printers from all industry sectors the means to finish hundreds of applications and the ability to enter into new label and packaging markets with a well-priced solution and a fast ROI,” he said.

The Insignia Series, equipped with flexible dies, will diecut, kiss-cut and cut/score an unlimited number of products from labels, shaped direct mailers, custom greeting cards and event passes to folding cartons, presentation folders, magnets, POP displays, boxes and more.

XMPie, a provider of web-to-print and personalization software, demonstrated new capabilities for the labels and packaging industry, to harness the power of digital print and boost a brand’s ability to stand out and engage the consumer. “With XMPie technology, the label or the package template, which can be selected and then customized and ordered through the web-to-print portal, can be highly engaging due to superior creative and refined individualized relevancy. Moreover, with the XMPie technology, using a printed piece as the trigger for a follow-on digital dialogue between the brand and the consumer — landing sites, emails, videos, etc. — is possible. This multichannel dimension to labels and packaging can become an integral part of the marketing mix of the brand, which adds a unique and new high value to this traditionally print-only field.