Gravure Meets the Short Run Challenge, 1990 Polymers, Laminations & Coatings Conference Proceedings

In response to market demands for shorter run lengths, prompted by J.I.T., regionalization of packaging, deal copy, and brand proliferation, the rotogravure packaging equipment process has been reevaluated. Gravure’s unequaled advantages for high quality graphics, inline coating/laminating, and color reproduction need no longer be reserved for long run work. Computerization, coupled with a revolutionary mechanical design, makes 8 color job changeovers possible in under 30 minutes. Attention will highlight the gravure printing process, pre-press makeready, press computerization, auxiliary equipment, as well as inline coating/laminating.

Over the past ten years, I have had the privilege of either addressing or moderating packaging sessions at the various annual conventions, regional seminars, or technical conferences. During this time, I have observed many new and interesting innovations being introduced. Most of these improvements tended to be, however, evolutionary in nature. Today, I am honored to have the opportunity to introduce to you a new technology, one that truly represents a revolutionary design improvement for flexible packaging rotogravure printers and converters. A new press design that can be utilized by flexible packaging printers and converters as a stepping stone toward the 21st century. Perhaps you, or others before you, have fantasized what the press of the future would look like? Maybe your fantasies even paralleled this innovative technique, but dream no more, for this press has become a reality. This press of the future is called the Non-Stop rotogravure press.