TLMI will be holding the association’s 14th technical summit, rebranded as printTHINK, September 11-13 at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare in Rosemont, IL. printTHINK brings together industry thought leaders and attendees to network, learn and discuss the topics at the forefront of the North American label and narrow web packaging market.

This year’s sessions will take attendees through a wide range of topics that address the central day-to-day issues converters and industry suppliers face, in addition to the drivers and key trends that are reshaping the North American narrow web sector. Session panelists include industry suppliers, label and flexible packaging converters, seasoned HR and marketing experts and brand personnel from companies like P&G and Church Street Brewing.

Dan Muenzer, TLMI president, comments, “This year’s printTHINK brings together industry suppliers, converters and brands in a way that has never been done before. As our industry continues to be reshaped by digital advancements, regulatory and compliance demands, sustainability initiatives and workforce challenges. It’s imperative that forums bring together thought leadership from every level of the supply chain and that’s just what this year’s printTHINK will do.”

Some of the printTHINK session topic highlights include:

Everything LED
In this session, attendees will explore the intricacies LED converters should consider when deciding to adopt the technology. Attendees will hear from industry suppliers on the most common questions they receive about the technology including inks, coatings, performance characteristics, and equipment requirements for both new and installed presses. The panel will help guide converters through the LED journey to gain valuable insight before making an investment.

Navigating the Regulatory World
Food and beverage labels, pharmaceutical labels, and health and beauty care labels often have specific regulatory requirements. How to navigate this regulatory world from inks, adhesives, and silicones up to full laminates will be addressed in this session. Panelists include two regulatory experts who will share how to deal with the FDA and the types of information needed for regulatory certification.

“Think” Automation
Today’s narrow web printers are pressured with increased demands to control costs while facing the challenge of finding and retaining employees in one of the tightest labor markets in modern history. This session will explore automation and lean principles as a means to provide the one-two punch needed to address this issue from label concept to delivery. A panel of converters will share key aspects of investigating automation solutions, what converters should be thinking about before they invest, and lessons from their own experiences.

You Bought a Digital Press. Now What?
In this session, attendees will hear from three label converters of various sizes who have different experiences with digital printing on multiple platforms. Attendees will learn as panelists champion their success stories and discuss the challenges of bringing a new technology in house. Label converting panelists will be joined by their customers as they showcase and discuss the digital label projects they collaborated on. Attendees will hear first-hand testimonials from brand owners on what a digital solution means to them.

Beyond the Label
Flexible packaging and RFID smart labels are fast-growing markets. Attendees will hear from application experts about opportunities in these non-traditional sectors. Attendees will also learn about the resources required to venture into these markets, as well as the challenges that converters will face. This session will include a discussion on current market trends and new product innovation that is leading the way for these markets.

Collaborating for Breakthrough Innovation in the Packaging Design-to-Print Supply Chain
This session will offer a glimpse into the minds of brands and their key packaging development stakeholders as they strive to differentiate their products. In this interactive panel, key Procter & Gamble stakeholders, from R&D-to-launch, will share their experience as they collaborated to develop and commercialize a breakthrough technology in performance and sustainability for e-commerce and brick-and-mortar packaging.