The goal of color management is to obtain the best possible color match from creation to output, but the topic can be intimidating if you don’t know how all the pieces come together. The good news is that color management is based on amazingly simple principles that anyone can understand, regardless of their technical knowledge. This session is free to all attendees to clarify the basic principles and workflows of color management and help you set realistic expectations. This complete introduction will benefit the novice who wants to get up to speed quickly or anyone who wants a thorough refresher. Come out of this session armed with the knowledge to take full advantage of the sessions at COLOR24!

This fast-paced course is exclusively for existing G7® Experts to upgrade their certification and become the industry’s first G7+™ Experts. In this session, you will learn everything you need to know about G7+ and how to implement it in your work. This session will cover:

• What is G7+?
• Why PRINTING United Alliance developed it
• Development goals
• New tonality and gray balance algorithms
• The all-new “HDS” (High Density Smoothing) function
• G7+ benefits vs. G7
• Before-and-after examples showing the main differences from G7
• New metrics and tolerances
• Calibrating and verifying G7+ demos in Curve+
• The all-new G7+ Master program

Demo licenses for Curve+ will be distributed to attendees a week before the session. Attendees are encouraged to install and activate Curve+ prior to attending training to participate in testing, demonstration, and G7+ implementation. The limited time available precludes live printing. Instead, software methods (including Virtual Print Run and Photoshop curves) will be used to examine the results of your calibrations.

G7+ Expert Upgrade Training & Certification

COLOR/TAGA Bundle Registration
$806 Member / Nonmember $1,109

In this keynote presentation, Peggy Van Allen will emphasize the profound influence of color on various aspects of our lives, from navigation and brand identity to emotions and product choices. She will underscore the importance of not randomly selecting colors in design but understanding the evolving consumer preferences and trends. The internet has expanded our exposure to trends, but the challenge lies in predicting future trends beyond short-lived fads. Get insights into the annual color forecasting process by the Color Marketing Group, focusing on the 2024+ World Color Forecast that highlights how these color trends are crucial for professionals across industries to make informed color choices that can lead to long-lasting success.

Explore essential, practical color concepts during this conference presentation. Instead of delving into theoretical color science, we focus on everyday color management for meaningful discussions and informed decisions. “Color Basics” covers RGB, CMYK, Lab*, and Delta E, with visual aids and handouts. Navigate the often perplexing world of Pantone spot colors, from Formula Guide to Expanded Gamut Guide. Understand color measurement instruments, including spectros, colorimeters, and smartphone tools, and their relevance in textile applications. See live measurements of spot colors on fabric, with chances to win Nix Mini sensors or COLOR MUSE. Ideal for newcomers and experts, this session aims to clear the confusion surrounding crucial color concepts with practical, real-world insights based on the “Understanding Color Management” textbook.

This presentation highlights the importance of color models in graphic communication, aiming to expand knowledge beyond basic models like CMYK and RGB. It introduces eight color models, including CIE Lab, CIE LUV, HSB, and more. These models ensure precise and consistent color representation across digital and print media, benefiting designers and professionals aiming to convey emotions accurately. The presentation covers various aspects, such as understanding the models, their real-world applications, the differences between additive and subtractive color mixing, perceptual uniformity, and color difference evaluation. Its goal is to enhance the understanding of students and professionals in graphic communication.

Color matching across applications relies on standards that combine numerical measurements and visual assessments under controlled viewing conditions. Traditionally, fluorescent light booths simulated the CIE D50 illuminant for visual evaluations, while products were viewed under various lighting sources, causing color differences due to illuminant metamerism. Measuring instruments used different sources, compounding the mismatch between measured and visually assessed color. LED lighting has become prevalent due to efficiency and environmental regulations, impacting color perception. This presentation examines the transition from fluorescent to LED sources, the status of fluorescent tube bans, and proposed changes to viewing standards, offering insights into changes in color perception. Learn about differences in D50 LED vs. fluorescent sources, color shifts, tube bans, and upcoming viewing standards.

Since its introduction in 2005, G7® has revolutionized the ease, quality, and efficiency of most 4-color printing methods, including offset, flexo, xerography, and gravure.

After an amazing nineteen-year run and over three years of R&D by PRINTING United Alliance, G7+™ replaces G7 with all-new calibration and verification algorithms that solve the limitations of calibrating emergent technology, add some exciting new capabilities, yet maintain the same basic features, benefits, and overall appearance as legacy G7.

In this keynote, R&D team leader Don Hutcheson will show what G7+ is, how it differs from G7, why the Alliance developed it, and what’s in it for you. Visual examples will show how G7+ improves on G7, yet how similar it is to G7 in typical commercial work – an important feature that means your existing files and workflows should not be changed as you transition to G7+.

Multi-Color Corporation has commercialized several industry-defining products that have helped shape the labeling space, many with an eye toward sustainability. We have been responding to the challenges faced by brand owners who are seeking to improve their sustainability footprint due to their commitments to stakeholders and end-customers. MCC has ongoing innovation projects designed to improve recycling compatibility, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and support reuse applications. We use our subject matter expertise to help our customers navigate their sustainability journey. This presentation will share real world examples and offer insights about innovation and sustainability trends in the packaging market.

Delve into the common pitfalls in color management, from problematic proofs and curve management in prepress to ink room and press inaccuracies. Learn to address unstable press issues, uncontrolled prints, imprecise spectrophotometers, and the importance of proper viewing conditions. Discover practical solutions to absolve these sins and ensure precise, consistent, and vibrant color management throughout the design and print process. Perfect for anyone who prints color, this presentation will help you avoid the pitfalls and master the art of accurate color management.

The surge in demand for short production runs and personalized variable printed products has sparked a shift from conventional offset printing presses to digital presses. When transitioning from traditional offset printing to modern digital printing, color management becomes paramount. We’ll review the adjustments needed in your strategy for optimization of calibration and color profiling to ensure consistent and accurate color output. We’ll also explore the emerging trends and help companies assess their readiness for a successful transition.

In today’s decentralized print model, particularly for brand owners, a more automated color management approach is vital. To maintain consistent color quality across diverse printing devices, the tools must facilitate real-time color data tracking by minimally-trained operators or the devices themselves. This level of data necessitates systems for collecting and reporting color conditions, promptly notifying quality managers of deviations without constant oversight. This session delves into automated color management goals, tools such as SAAS systems and custom solutions, and the complexities involved in setting up and managing these tools. Attendees will leave with a clear grasp of the current tool landscape and insights for tailoring programs to their specific needs.

This fast-paced course is exclusively for existing G7® Experts to upgrade their certification and become the industry’s first G7+™ Experts. In this session, you will learn everything you need to know about G7+ and how to implement it in your work. This session will cover:

• What is G7+?
• Why PRINTING United Alliance developed it
• Development goals
• New tonality and gray balance algorithms
• The all-new “HDS” (High Density Smoothing) function
• G7+ benefits vs. G7
• Before-and-after examples showing the main differences from G7
• New metrics and tolerances
• Calibrating and verifying G7+ demos in Curve+
• The all-new G7+ Master program

Demo licenses for Curve+ will be distributed to attendees a week before the session. Attendees are encouraged to install and activate Curve+ prior to attending training to participate in testing, demonstration, and G7+ implementation. The limited time available precludes live printing. Instead, software methods (including Virtual Print Run and Photoshop curves) will be used to examine the results of your calibrations.

G7+ Expert Upgrade Training & Certification

COLOR/TAGA Bundle Registration
$806 Member / Nonmember $1,109

In this keynote presentation, Peggy Van Allen will emphasize the profound influence of color on various aspects of our lives, from navigation and brand identity to emotions and product choices. She will underscore the importance of not randomly selecting colors in design but understanding the evolving consumer preferences and trends. The internet has expanded our exposure to trends, but the challenge lies in predicting future trends beyond short-lived fads. Get insights into the annual color forecasting process by the Color Marketing Group, focusing on the 2024+ World Color Forecast that highlights how these color trends are crucial for professionals across industries to make informed color choices that can lead to long-lasting success.

How Industry 4.0 and other automation concepts can help improve your bottom line when it comes to color reproduction. Automation reduces touch points in the print process, which equals increasingly shorter print runs and the prevention of wasted materials due to user error. Today’s print service providers must print more efficiently and with less margin for error. Don Schroeder and Ben Lubin of Fujfilm tag-team to provide both high-level and nuts-and-bolts views and expectations.

To achieve optimal production quality, it is crucial to carefully choose the best matching color conversion method. Utilizing RGB, CMYK+ data, or spot color conversion methods will yield superior outcomes through specific techniques. During this presentation, we will shine a spotlight on traditional vs. automated color management, the different components of output profiles, and what is possible to achieve. We will learn about the impact and limitations of output and DeviceLink profiles and how automation may help optimize your daily color work. Familiarize yourself with the various aspects of color management to find optimal methods for attaining the best possible results.

In this session, color consultant Jodie Steen demonstrates using the latest technology to ensure consistent color from design to the final product, even for complex projects. She presents case studies on packaging design, showcasing predictive tech to optimize RGB and CMYK elements for up to 7-color separation. Learn about Illustrator and InDesign settings’ impact on print output, the effective use of spot colors in separation, and the differences between RGB, CMYK, and multichannel files and proofs. Discover best practices for file preparation and confidently deliver files and proofs that match the press output for non-standard CMYK work.

Hey Color Wizards! Brace yourselves for inkjet’s groundbreaking leap and its impact on color management. Explore a realm where your expertise transcends boundaries—picture automotive interiors, architectural facades, decking, concrete pavers, wallcoverings, window blinds, and ceiling tiles. These diverse industries are calling for solid graphic arts color management expertise! Join us for a session to see and hear examples of ways inkjet decoration is driving innovation across industries, how we’ll be managing color on stone, MDF, birch, Stone Plastic Composites (SPC) and more!

Do you experience last-minute changes in print production? Of course! Attend this session and explore how web principles of abstraction and design tokens can defer final color choices until the very last moment, enabling print variations per label! This is the key to ultimate color control and invites bot-driven designs into your scalable equation. In this session, we will see how global brand colors are managed independently of design choices and how we can inform machines of our desired color palette choices.

Since its introduction in 2005, G7® has revolutionized the ease, quality, and efficiency of most 4-color printing methods, including offset, flexo, xerography, and gravure.

After an amazing nineteen-year run and over three years of R&D by PRINTING United Alliance, G7+™ replaces G7 with all-new calibration and verification algorithms that solve the limitations of calibrating emergent technology, add some exciting new capabilities, yet maintain the same basic features, benefits, and overall appearance as legacy G7.

In this keynote, R&D team leader Don Hutcheson will show what G7+ is, how it differs from G7, why the Alliance developed it, and what’s in it for you. Visual examples will show how G7+ improves on G7, yet how similar it is to G7 in typical commercial work – an important feature that means your existing files and workflows should not be changed as you transition to G7+.

Multi-Color Corporation has commercialized several industry-defining products that have helped shape the labeling space, many with an eye toward sustainability. We have been responding to the challenges faced by brand owners who are seeking to improve their sustainability footprint due to their commitments to stakeholders and end-customers. MCC has ongoing innovation projects designed to improve recycling compatibility, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and support reuse applications. We use our subject matter expertise to help our customers navigate their sustainability journey. This presentation will share real world examples and offer insights about innovation and sustainability trends in the packaging market.

Color measurement beyond paper presents challenges, including high traditional instrument costs, aperture size requirements, and the debate of flat vs. object measurement. This sector has long been hindered by high entry costs, resulting in suboptimal adoption and poor product color quality. New technology has simplified and reduced the cost of measuring color on challenging substrates. This session explores instrument selection, measurement locations, and brand requirements’ influence on product measurement. Attendees will leave with a better understanding of choosing the right device for each substrate and improving product quality in challenging manufacturing scenarios where achieving controlled color has been difficult.

Discover recent advancements from the Print Properties Committee in expanded gamut datasets for digital and traditional printing. This session unveils the three expanded gamut print conditions and offers practical insights on implementing expanded gamut color in your workflows. Learn to optimize digital output and standardize traditional ECG, equipping you with valuable tools and knowledge for enhancing your print process. Key takeaways include understanding the three expanded gamut print conditions, achieving vibrant color in digital printing, selecting essential charts and calibration tools for expanded gamut, and establishing standard practices for traditional print.

While neon inks can be found in many types of printed products, their usage extends beyond traditional applications. Beyond catching attention as solid spots or with known mixing recipes, neon inks emerge as powerful gamut enhancers in color-managed setups. This session delves into the transformative potential of multi-channel profiling with neon inks, amplifying the vibrancy of imagery, especially outdoors under the sun’s UV rays. Witness the magic of hidden images as traditional logos metamorphose into animated spectacles under black light, while intentionally concealed elements emerge as watermarks, serving as a unique identifier against counterfeiting. Join us on a journey where neon inks transcend their conventional role, unveiling new dimensions in color management and design.

This fast-paced course is exclusively for existing G7® Experts to upgrade their certification and become the industry’s first G7+™ Experts. In this session, you will learn everything you need to know about G7+ and how to implement it in your work. This session will cover:

• What is G7+?
• Why PRINTING United Alliance developed it
• Development goals
• New tonality and gray balance algorithms
• The all-new “HDS” (High Density Smoothing) function
• G7+ benefits vs. G7
• Before-and-after examples showing the main differences from G7
• New metrics and tolerances
• Calibrating and verifying G7+ demos in Curve+
• The all-new G7+ Master program

Demo licenses for Curve+ will be distributed to attendees a week before the session. Attendees are encouraged to install and activate Curve+ prior to attending training to participate in testing, demonstration, and G7+ implementation. The limited time available precludes live printing. Instead, software methods (including Virtual Print Run and Photoshop curves) will be used to examine the results of your calibrations.

G7+ Expert Upgrade Training & Certification

COLOR/TAGA Bundle Registration
$806 Member / Nonmember $1,109

It’s an exciting time to be in the industry. Join Birgit Plautz (GMG), David Biro (Sun Chemical), Nick Gawreluk (Print Profit) and Mark Bohan (Konica Minolta) as they examine the current and future state of the industry while discussing what can be achieved. The session kicks off with key industry trends and then delves into what can be printed using different ink technologies and substrate combinations, covering a wide gamut of printing processes available. We then follow with the importance of being able to make money in the industry and the realities of how to leverage this into operations will be explored.

Complete the pre-conference session being amazed by a variety of print samples that do more than CMYK. Get up close and personal with over 100 different examples of what can be done, with the majority circulated to the audience. From varnish and embellishment to packaging and printed electronics, the sky’s the limit.

You will be perfectly positioned to grow and leverage all the content presented throughout TAGA.

In this keynote presentation, Peggy Van Allen will emphasize the profound influence of color on various aspects of our lives, from navigation and brand identity to emotions and product choices. She will underscore the importance of not randomly selecting colors in design but understanding the evolving consumer preferences and trends. The internet has expanded our exposure to trends, but the challenge lies in predicting future trends beyond short-lived fads. Get insights into the annual color forecasting process by the Color Marketing Group, focusing on the 2024+ World Color Forecast that highlights how these color trends are crucial for professionals across industries to make informed color choices that can lead to long-lasting success.

Inkjet printers are commonly used in the graphic arts industry for creating color-accurate proofs. ICC color management is often used to specify the required color transformation for these printers to simulate the color of other printing systems. However, the quality of color reproduction is limited by how closely the printer’s color attributes match the original characterization. Stability of color over time is crucial, and factors like environmental conditions, nozzle changes, and materials can affect the printer’s baseline color attributes. Calibration is the process used to maintain color stability.

Calibration usually involves steps like reducing total ink and individual ink channel density. The main goal of calibration is to minimize the number of measurements needed, as they require user time and printing resources. Despite automated options like inline spectrophotometers on the printer, the less time and resources needed for calibration, the more likely it will be done.

This paper compares 2 main approaches to inkjet printer calibration: 1-d calibration vs. multi-d calibration. It examines the Murray-Davies density-based method and the gray-balance colorimetric-based method for 1-d calibration. For multi-d calibration, it uses a proprietary Kodak method with additional overprint measurements. The results show the efficacy of these methods in maintaining color stability of an inkjet printer over time, as assessed by printing and measuring the same characterization target through the 3 different calibration methods.

We investigate the possibility of using high viscosity piezo inkjet and advanced measurement techniques for high frequency rheology to enable multi-material printing of highly viscous UV polymers for dental prosthesis production. This would replace the current single-material process with a multi-material process without compromising the prosthesis properties. We test the printability of UV polymers from two manufacturers using Quantica’s new printhead at temperatures between 60°C and 80°C, where the viscosity and Ohnesorge number are suitable for printing. We also assess the integrity of the UV polymers at elevated temperatures. Additionally, we analyze the (linear) viscoelasticity of the polymers through oscillatory and vibrational rheology in a frequency range up to 10kHz and explore how this relates to printability and drop formation in the Quantica printhead.

Digital packaging offers advantages in customization, shorter print runs, variable data printing, quicker turnaround times, and sustainability. According to Allied Market Research (AMR), the global digital printing packaging market size was $20.6 billion in 2021 and is projected to reach $49.9 billion by 2031, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.1% from 2022 to 2031. Exactitude Consultancy predicts that the market will grow to around $46.82 billion due to increased demand for sustainable packaging and the integration of QR codes and augmented reality.

This study aims to evaluate the quality of lines and text on paperboard and corrugated board using a UV wide-format inkjet printer. A Roland VersaUV LEJ-640 UV LED printer with Eco UV-curable inks will be used, and the test target will include monochrome text and line resolution. The target will vary in font size and line dimensions. The positive and negative versions of the target will have contrasting colors for the lines and text elements.

Expanded gamut printing is a new technology that eliminates the need for spot colors, reducing the inventory and ordering process. With this method, only the printing plates and substrate need to be changed, resulting in less ink changes, wash-ups, and solvent usage. Target ink densities have been established to achieve optimum color balance, reducing make-ready times. These savings contribute to a more sustainable print operation. A local print company will compile a list of Pantone colors and convert them to the expanded gamut version, determining any color differences from the digital library. This study focuses on the sustainability of expanded gamut printing, aiming to quantify the savings and increase industry acceptance based on its advantages and enhanced sustainability.

Print conditions are essential for consistent and high-quality prints. They encompass all relevant parameters of the printing process, particularly in industries where print quality is crucial, like packaging and label production. In this paper, we propose a new approach to classifying printing conditions using machine learning models. Our method involves analyzing spectral measurement data to determine technical metadata, such as the printing process, substrate type, and print sequence. Accurate data is crucial for creating physical models that can predict overprints. Previously, this data had to be manually entered, leading to errors. However, our models can accurately and quickly predict this information, ensuring top-notch print quality. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our method through automated and manual experimentation. We also describe the setup of an evaluation in a production environment.

Direct-to-garment (DTG) printing is a process that directly sprays ink onto textiles using modified inkjet technology. It offers advantages such as detailed images and a wide color range. This method is also environmentally friendly due to its energy efficiency. However, there are limitations, including restrictions on fabric types, limited surface area for printing, and slower printing time for large orders. DTG printing originated in the United States in 1996 with the “Revolution” printer developed by Matthew Rhome and DIS. In 2005, Brother and Rhome created the first Brother DTG printer. The market for DTG printing remained stagnant until 2004, when Mimaki and Kornit introduced their own printing units. While some DTG printers don’t require textile pretreatment, most require it to ensure better ink adhesion and absorption. Different pretreatment options are available, including hand spraying, using a pretreatment machine, or purchasing pretreated garments from manufacturers.

This study aims to test various pretreatment methods for the Epson Sure Color F2100 DTG printer. Cotton and polyester fabrics will be used, and different pretreatments will be applied to fabric samples for evaluation.

Recent advances in gloss perception research have also explored the effects of backgrounds and scene dynamic range. For example, Doerschner et al. (2010) found that spheres against a black background appeared glossier than those against a white background. Phillips et al. (2010) studied the impact of surface geometry, scene illumination, and eye movements on perceived gloss, while Adams et al. (2018) highlighted the importance of tone mapping in high dynamic range images for achieving gloss constancy. These findings contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing gloss perception, with implications for real and virtual applications, particularly in printing.

In terms of gloss perception, Hunter and Harold (1987) identified six types: specular gloss, sheen, contrast gloss, absence-of-bloom gloss, distinctness-of-reflected-image gloss, and absence-of-surface-texture gloss. Research has sought to connect material properties and perceptual gloss, with studies by Ferwerda et al. (2001), Toscani et al. (2020), and Faul (2019) exploring these connections. Tanaka et al. (2023) established an exponential relationship between objective measures such as gloss unit, haze, image distinctness, and high dynamic range luminance and perceived gloss. Efforts have also been made to bridge the gap between gloss perception in real-world and virtual environments, such as the development of psychometric gloss scales by Xiao et al. (2023) and the collection of perceived gloss data by Chen et al. (2022) from 3D printed samples and photos.

Our study aims to explore gloss perception in real-world scenarios, considering diverse backgrounds, materials, and dynamic range conditions. By including chromatic samples, often overlooked in previous research, we seek to gain a practical understanding of perceptual gloss that can be applied in various industries and contexts.

Inkjet printing has garnered much interest as a deposition method for electronic devices. This talk overviews the field of printed electronics and demonstrates a technique known as reactive inkjet printing as an approach to fabricating biocompatible, low cost, and on-demand sensor devices. Progress in reactive inkjet printing of Zinc Oxide and discussion of the opportunities and challenges for this technique as a platform for new classes of electronics will be presented.

This research delves into the evolution of the Graphic Communication (GC) workforce, emphasizing the significance of student feedback post-internship and the pivotal role of academic-industry collaborations. We present findings from an International Review Board (IRB) approved study conducted in 2021 and 2023 involving GC students who underwent a mandated industry internship. A unique survey, crafted through a joint academic-industry effort, was deployed to gain deeper insights into student preferences, industry attractiveness, and strategies for securing and retaining internships and emerging talent in the Graphic Communications sector. The data illuminate student perspectives on initial GC domain job preferences, long-term aspirations, and criteria that define a desirable workplace.

Since its introduction in 2005, G7® has revolutionized the ease, quality, and efficiency of most 4-color printing methods, including offset, flexo, xerography, and gravure.

After an amazing nineteen-year run and over three years of R&D by PRINTING United Alliance, G7+™ replaces G7 with all-new calibration and verification algorithms that solve the limitations of calibrating emergent technology, add some exciting new capabilities, yet maintain the same basic features, benefits, and overall appearance as legacy G7.

In this keynote, R&D team leader Don Hutcheson will show what G7+ is, how it differs from G7, why the Alliance developed it, and what’s in it for you. Visual examples will show how G7+ improves on G7, yet how similar it is to G7 in typical commercial work – an important feature that means your existing files and workflows should not be changed as you transition to G7+.

Multi-Color Corporation has commercialized several industry-defining products that have helped shape the labeling space, many with an eye toward sustainability. We have been responding to the challenges faced by brand owners who are seeking to improve their sustainability footprint due to their commitments to stakeholders and end-customers. MCC has ongoing innovation projects designed to improve recycling compatibility, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and support reuse applications. We use our subject matter expertise to help our customers navigate their sustainability journey. This presentation will share real world examples and offer insights about innovation and sustainability trends in the packaging market.

Synthetic polymers have been indispensable since the 1950s and have long been under scrutiny from an environmental perspective. However, there is a lack of reliable global information, especially on the fate of plastics at the end of their life. By identifying and aggregating scattered data on the production, use and disposal of polymer resins, synthetic fibres and additives, the first global analysis of all plastics ever produced was conducted in 2017 by Roland Geyer, Jenna Jambeck and Kara Lavender Law. It is estimated that between 7.3 and 8 billion tons of plastics have been produced to date. Disposal, however, remains problematic. Different studies speak of a global recycling rate of mere 9%. This paper examines the amounts of waste, the amounts of plastic added to the different recycling methods. After a short review of polymer history this paper analysis global waste management systems, waste treatment in compliance with production data, life cycles of synthetic polymers and raises pressing questions for the future.

The paper examines the energy consumption of using solvent-based and water-based inking units in flexo printing. The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether a switch from solvent-based inks to water-based inks is a viable option for flexo printers in terms of financial viability and promoting sustainability.
The main objective of the paper is to directly compare solvent-based and water-based ink systems by analysing the energy in kWh required for ink drying, including the specific heat capacity from thermodynamics, measuring the total energy required by the flexo press with both systems and calculating the costs associated with these energy values. After determining the specific energy consumption in kWh for ink drying of both ink systems at a specified production speed and quantity, reference values for the sustainability of the two systems can be determined and the costs compared. Furthermore, the print quality of the two ink systems is analysed and compared.

Sustainability and specifically recyclability of packaging materials are being mandated globally by end users. These mandates have a specific timeline. Packaging in particular flexible packaging though very sustainable compared to rigid packaging options is not recyclable in its current use. The main issue is multi layers of materials making recyclability very difficult. To achieve this target multinationals from raw material suppliers, ink and chemistry suppliers to converters and printers are trying to develop mono material packaging options at the same time reducing the carbon footprint during printing operations.

The use of Electron Beam curable inks in the printing process (either Flexographic or Offset printing) not only reduces the carbon footprint but also allows the option of using mono materials in the most efficient way permitting recyclability. How EB processing allows to achieve the recyclability target cost effectively with these printing options will be described.

It has been over 30 years since the first digital presses were released. Since its start, digital printing has revolutionized the printing industry, offering a host of benefits that cater to a wide range of applications and industries. With continual development and improvement, we now have high quality, cost-effective short run capabilities with quick turnaround times. Further, digital printing provides customers opportunities to incorporate variable data for target marketing and print on demand capabilities. With minimal setup costs, no minimum quantity, and on-demand publishing, digital printing has transformed the way businesses approach their printing needs.

Color management on digital presses is a valuable feature that offers numerous benefits that enhance the efficiency, accuracy, and consistency of color reproduction in the printing process. It plays a critical role in ensuring that printed materials meet color specifications, maintain consistency, and meet the expectations of customers.

This study aims to analyze and compare the color management processes of two digital presses, a Konica Minolta AccurioPress C2070 and an HP Indigo 7K, across several coated and uncoated substrates. The Konica Minolta AccurioPress press is an electrophotographic press using dry toners, while the HP Indigo press is an offset press using digital plates and a blanket with liquid inks. Both presses employ advanced technology to ensure precise color reproduction.

Web offset is the clear winner in the competition against publication rotogravure. The absence of a press manufacturer for rotogravure means that commercial printing will likely remain a niche market in the future. While format variability and production specialties are advantageous for long-term competitiveness, the situation may remain stable for only a few years.

Packaging gravure faces competition from flexo and digital printing, which is increasing over time. One of the major issues is the expensive and toxic production of the form cylinder. The EU is planning to ban chromium(VI) in the near future, making chromium electroplating, which requires PFAS-containing additives, more complex and problematic. Moreover, purchasing cylinders for gravure printing companies involves transporting heavy cylinders, resulting in significant transportation times and costs.

In the printing industry, the time and waste generated during the transition from one print job to another is a significant competitive constraint. In packaging gravure, color changes often require adjustments on multiple printing units due to different colors between print jobs. Even with the use of trolleys and quick-change equipment, this process remains expensive and time-consuming.