S-OneLP: Blog - Digital Labels and Flexible Packaging

Year in Review with S-OneLP

December 11, 2019 By Shellie Terry

Since we launched S-One Labels & Packaging in January 2018, it’s been a whirlwind of activity, not only from a business development side, but for our entire industry as well. Take a look back at 2019 with us.

NEW FACES

You’ve likely already connected with the new players on our team, but here’s a quick look at who joined the S-OneLP crew in 2019:

Sharon Beeman: With a strong background in flexible packaging films that’s been an invaluable addition for the S-OneLP team, Sharon heads up sales in the Midwest. She joined S-OneLP in December 2018, and came to us from Cosmo Films, where she was the regional sales manager. Before bringing her knowledge to customers, she worked with specifying and purchasing flex-pack films.

Tricia Olm: Tricia is an multi-talented force who came to S-One in 2005. This October, Tricia became a product manager at S-OneLP, working with manufacturers to bring products to market. Tricia has deep understanding of HP Indigo primer needs, as she helped launch S-One’s initial partnership with Michelman as part of the Utopia Digital Technologies team, based in Wisconsin.

Michelle Oczkowski: Michelle joined us over the summer as a customer service representative, handling customer queries and supporting the sales team to ensure an excellent customer experience. Before S-One, she worked in the hospitality industry in Raleigh, N.C. She’s also been an instrumental player on the team that is helping our Sarasota headquarters office find new ways to implement recycling and sustainability initiatives.

Adria Manyas: We’re excited to bring Adria on in a sales role in our Barcelona office. He’s been working with S-One’s Brand Management Group customers for a few years, and is now developing his skills with the S-OneLP team, working with Gerard Geurts, who heads up Business Development in Europe, and Michelangelo Petrarca, who supports S-OneLP marketing efforts in Barcelona, as well.

Tricia Pokorney: Tricia brings her nearly seven-years of logistics expertise at S-One to the S-OneLP team, now serving in a buyer-planner role. She works with our suppliers, sales team and customers to ensure the right products are in the right place at the right time.

NEW SOLUTIONS

In 2019, we brought several new opportunities to our customers from some of the best names in the industry. The variety of options we’re offering is geared to helping customers build their businesses using their preferred technology.

CatPak™ eBeam Finishing System: This year, we launched a full solution for coating and curing 30-inch flexible packaging film utilizing eBeam technology. The new machinery is changing the game for flexible packaging finishing and providing fast and clean film finishing that’s food-safe. We installed our first CatPak at GOpak in Delafield, Wisc. We’re excited to see what 2020 brings for CatPak at GOpak!

Cellcoat T14 Laminator: Before Labelexpo 2019 in Brussels, we connected with Cellcoat to offer the T14 Laminator, which allows 13-inch press operators a state-of-the-art finishing option for flexible packaging. Want to learn more? Join us for a free webinar on thermal lamination finishing on Jan. 14 at 2 p.m.

Sustainable ByDesign™: We’ve been hard at work bringing recyclable and compostable flexible packaging solutions to the market, and launched our ReTreve™ and ReEarth™ product portfolios. We’ll see even more excited developments in this area in 2020, so stay tuned!

NEW DEVELOPMENTS

Our goal is to provide world-class service while offering the best technical know-how for our customers. Take a look at a few other developments from 2019:

Texas Warehouse: To service our Southern customers more efficiently, we opened an additional warehouse in Fort Worth, Texas. For most regions, shipments will deliver in one day instead of two to three days.

PrimeTime with S-OneLP Podcast: This summer, we launched our new podcast, bringing industry experts to the mic to discuss everything from durable labels to eBeam technology. Check out PrimeTime HERE.

HP Media Solutions Partner: Early in 2019, we signed an agreement with HP as a new Media Solutions Partner, with a special focus in the Indigo ecosystem surrounding the fast-growing digitally printed label and flexible packaging market. This means S-OneLP is able to accelerate the adoption of digital solutions for labels and digitally printed flexible packaging solutions in the marketplace

Podcast: Benefits of eBeam Finishing with PCT

November 13, 2019 By Shellie Terry

In our latest episode of PrimeTime with S-OneLP, we sat down with Tyler Matlick of PCT Ebeam and Integration to talk about the benefits of electron beam technology for finishing flexible packaging.

“Electron beam use is wide-spread, but flexible packaging is a growing market for electron beam,” Matlick says. “The reason that it’s now all of the sudden growing is because electron beam is instant curing of an overprint varnish. There’s different ways to convert a flexible package. You can put a laminate on it, you can use different types of solvents … all kinds of different methods. An electron beam is completely in alignment with not only digital, but also with sustainability.”

PCT provides the technology and equipment for the eBeam portion of the CatPak™ finishing system, available at S-OneLP.

Listen to the full episode below, and let us know what other topics you’d like us to cover on PrimeTime with S-OneLP.

U.S. & Canada: Stock Up to Avoid Winter Shipping Delays & Freezing Damage

November 7, 2019 By Shellie Terry

As the weather cools around the country, we wanted to offer some reminders and service updates about shipping guidelines as you look to stock up on supplies for the winter.

Many of the products you need for day-to-day production, such as water-based coatings, cleaners and defoamers, are susceptible to damage if they are exposed to temperatures below freezing. Following our Winter Shipping Guidelines & Policies helps ensure your products are protected from freezing (PFF). We encourage you to order enough coatings to get you through these winter months. If you choose not to stock up for winter, you may experience delivery delays due to weather that is out of our control.

We recommend that you order early and allow 10-15 business days for delivery, instead of our standard 1-3 business days.

S-OneLP Winter Shipping Guidelines and Policies:

All orders must be placed, shipped and received before the weekend. Standard LTL and UPS or FedEx ground orders will only ship on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday for delivery by week’s end.

Orders shipping ground during freezing temperatures must ship in insulated boxes ($45 per box). Expedited shipping or increasing your order so it can ship LTL-PFF (taking advantage of our extended terms for a second stocking order) are additional options.

LTL-PFF services are available through most trucking companies, with an average $50 PFF upcharge. Be aware: Trucking companies will refuse to pick up any freezable shipments on days with very low temperatures.

IMPORTANT: Christmas and New Year’s Day fall on Wednesdays this holiday season, only Expedited Shipping Options will be available from Dec. 23, 2019 – Jan. 3, 2020.

We appreciate your adherence to our freeze protection guidelines and policies. If you request that S-OneLP ship without any type of freeze protection, you then assume all responsibility for any damages to the product as a result of freezing. This includes filing the claim with the carrier, as well as payment to S-OneLP for the cost of the product. Payment of the product’s invoice cannot be delayed pending the resolution of the claim with the carrier.

We maintain inventory for you at multiple warehouses to decrease your transit times:

Sparks, NV
Carol Stream, IL
Atlanta, GA
Harrisburg, PA
Toronto, Canada
Ft. Worth, TX (NEW!)

NEW SERVICES to make this a successful winter for you and your team:

Extended Terms to Add Safety Stock: S-OneLP is now offering extended terms on stocking orders. Call your Technical Sales Representative or a member of our Customer Service team for more details.
Planning Assistance: Our team will communicate with customers in specific regions most likely to have winter restrictions. We will share weather warnings, planning suggestions and scheduling information as needed.
New Warehouse, More Shipping Options: Our new warehouse in Ft. Worth, Texas, combined with our Atlanta warehouse, allow us to ship from warm-weather locations to areas that are not affected by winter restrictions.
More Inventory: We’ve increased inventory levels to help you to build up your pre-winter stocking levels of primer.
Additional Support: We’ve added Customer Service and Technical Sales personnel to help you plan and expedite your requests.

Thank you for working with us, and please communicate any questions to our team at (941) 256-7900 or labelsandpackaging@sone.com.

S-One Labels & Packaging Installs First CatPak eBeam System at GOpak

November 6, 2019 By Shellie Terry

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SARASOTA, FLA. (Nov. 6, 2019) – S-One Labels & Packaging is pleased to announce it has successfully installed its first CatPak™ eBeam Finishing System at GOpak in Delafield, Wisc. This new equipment allows GOpak to provide state-of-the-art, fast and clean eBeam finishing for digitally printed flexible packaging.

“The value we bring to our customers is all about the flexibility and cost effectiveness of digital printing combined with speed to market,” says AJ Buran, president of GOpak. “The CatPak, with its e-beam curing technology, is far superior to traditional methods of finishing, eliminating costly lamination and allowing us to offer our customers faster turnaround and more innovative solutions, especially when it comes to sustainable solutions, such as recyclable and compostable pouches and films.”

S-OneLP’s Tom Hauenstein and GOpak’s AJ Buran

The CatPak system combines an eBeam curing system for 30-inch flexible packaging film, a Corona treater and 30-inch web unwind and rewind modules, integrated into the eBeam curing system base frame. The system takes up less than 300-square-feet, a substantially smaller footprint than competitive systems on the market.

“Seeing the CatPak concept come to fruition is a testament to the true collaboration that exists within the labels and packaging industry,” says Ralph Giammarco, VP of S-OneLP. “The creativity and willingness to partner on this market-changing innovation says a great deal about the manufacturers, suppliers and end users within this space. At S-OneLP, we’re excited to contribute with our extensive coatings and films knowledge and to bring these players together to make real, much-needed changes and opportunities within the industry.”

The development of the CatPak system was in partnership between S-OneLP, Custom Design Applications and PCT Ebeam and Integration.

“Brand owners and, in turn, converters demanding faster turnaround of their packages, is driving the equipment manufactures like ourselves to provide easy coating solutions with the eBeam curing systems,” says Tim Burke, president of Custom Design Applications. “At CDA, we accomplished this challenge with a compact, robust, easy-to-operate coater that has a small footprint, quick change-over features and registration that matches the HP Indigo 20000 press repeat.”

CDA worked with PCT to integrate eBeam technology into the CatPak design.

“We are pleased to work with a forward-looking group such as S-OneLP,” says Karl Swanson, president of PCT Ebeam and Integration. “They recognize the significant role that electron beam curing can play in the production of sustainable, digitally printed, flexible packaging. The CatPak solution is an important channel to market for PCT Ebeam and Integration.”

The CatPak system produces a food-compliant finished surface with no post-cure time, and is compatible with digitally printed flexible packaging, such as those printed on HP Indigo. CatPak can also be used with other narrow-web flexible packaging printing, such as flexographic printing.

To learn more about CatPak™, please visit S-OneLP.com/CatPak or call 941.256.7900.

About S-One Labels & Packaging: S-One Labels & Packaging is a division of S-One Holdings Corporation, the parent company of LexJet and Brand Management Group. This division provides materials, technical know-how and integrated solutions to print providers who are currently active or expanding into label and flexible packaging digital printing. Founded in 1994 and headquartered in Sarasota, Fla., S-One provides innovative product research, development, manufacturing and worldwide distribution to digital imaging, design and print professionals. Visit S-One Labels & Packaging at S-OneLP.com.

All Around the World with S-OneLP

October 8, 2019 By Shellie Terry

S-OneLP’s Renate Jeutter, center, at Labelexpo Europe 2019

Our team has been travelling the world, working trade shows, checking out conventions and, most importantly, talking to the industry to learn more about what converters need to grow their businesses.

S-OneLP’s Andrew Kalina, Sharon Beeman, Dan Halkyard and Nichole Danzig at Pack Expo

All in one week, we had team members in Las Vegas at Pack Expo, where they learned about the latest innovations in flexible packaging; and another team working our booth at Labelexpo Europe in Brussels, discussing advancements in label printing and flexible packaging.

“With these two teams in two parts of the world, we heard the same message impacting both the packaging and labeling markets — and that message is sustainability,” says Ralph Giammarco, S-OneLP VP. “We’ve had fleeting waves of interest in sustainability before, but this time, we’re seeing a real excitement and passion for finally making a substantial change. And the demand for it is coming from all sides — consumers, brands and converters — who all want to make a difference.”

Even last month, at Natural Products East in Baltimore, an event that focuses more on products and less on the packaging, we were told: “No one wants to talk about packaging that goes into a landfill.”

While at Labelexpo Europe, the S-OneLP team featured our Sustainable ByDesign product portfolio with includes full solutions for creating either recyclable or compostable flexible packaging. The product line includes flexible packaging pre-laminated films for surface printing, coatings, fitments like zippers and finishing equipment utilizing eBeam technology to retain the package’s sustainability.

Another big topic for label printers is finding a quick, easy and cost-effective solution for increasing the durability of labels — especially those that need to withstand heat, cold, water, chemicals and extreme friction in transport.

S-OneLP’s Tom Hauenstein, right, discusses HP Pack Ready for Labels at Labelexpo.

HP invited S-OneLP to display information about the HP Pack Ready for Labels solution, which includes an additive, which is mixed with an over-print varnish. After testing and trial runs, the preferred formula is 1 part Michelman DigiGuard 901 OPV Strengthener to 9 parts S-OneLP KustomLP KKLP OPV in gloss or matte.

“Early this year, HP recognized S-OneLP as an HP Indigo Media Solutions Partner, and we’ve continued to grow our partnership,” Giammarco says. “We’re honored to have played a part in HP’s booth discussions for truly viable solutions for today’s label printers.”

Joining us in the HP booth was our partners at VerifyMe, who showcased their security inks and track-and-trace system for product packaging authentication. We also announced an agreement with Cellcoat to bring the T14 13-inch thermal laminator to market.

Where will S-OneLP be next? You can catch us at Printing United Oct. 23-25 in Dallas in booth #6810, where we’ll be discussing flexible packaging and coatings for commercial printers. Don’t miss it!

And if you want to learn more about our Sustainable ByDesign product line and where sustainable packaging is headed next, listen to our podcast, PrimeTime with S-OneLP.

S-OneLP Partners with Cellcoat to Bring Narrow Web Thermal Laminator to Market

September 25, 2019 By Shellie Terry

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Ralph Giammarco, S-OneLP and Jonathan Smith, Cellcoat

SARASOTA, FLA. (Sept. 25, 2019) – S-One Labels & Packaging is pleased to announce a new partnership with Cellcoat Systems to bring the T14 Thermal Laminator to the narrow web labels and packaging market.

The T14 Thermal Laminator, with its compact design, provides accurate tension control and high-speed capability that are ideal for digital label and flexible packaging printing and converting, especially when speed to market and minimal material waste is critical. It is ideal for HP Indigo Series 3, HP6000 series and 330mm-wide press owners.

The machine’s innovative design includes an in-line corona treater, lay-on roller, chill rollers, edge alignment and inline slitting that can all be managed by a single operator.

The Cellcoat T14 Thermal Laminator is available in North America and EMEA exclusively through S-OneLP. Information about the T14 is currently available in S-OneLP’s Labelexpo Europe stand #7E36.

This is an exciting development for press operators who want to use their narrow web machines to create flexible packaging with surface-print films and provide an overlaminate to protect the ink layer and add options like soft-touch, special designs and scratch-resistance. It provides a cost-effective method in contrast to costly pressure-sensitive adhesive laminates.

“S-OneLP is committed to helping HP Indigo printers expand their markets by adding capabilities to do more cost-effective lamination and offer unique surfaces and finishing solutions for flexible packaging,” says Ralph Giammarco, S-OneLP Vice President. “We are excited to join forces with Cellcoat, who have engineered a state-of-the-art machine to help our customers build their business by adding these new capabilities.”

Cellcoat T14 Thermal Laminator Product Highlights

Easy settings for quick set ups for a single operator
Short web path ideal for high-value materials (minimal waste)
Superior bond strength
No wet-out time required
Ideal for: Flexible packaging, label finishing, roll stock, pouch film manufacturing, multiple film construction

“The T14 design has been heavily influenced by experts in the flexible packaging industry,” says Jonathan Smith, Managing Director at Cellcoat Systems. “This, combined with our 33-years’ experience in thermal lamination and our new partnership with S-OneLP give label printers a practical way to diversify and innovate in their business to keep ahead.”

About Cellcoat Systems: Cellcoat, based in Sheffield, England, manufactures lamination equipment for the sheet-fed, labels, flexible packaging and in-mould labelling markets. Through our products, we are proud to reflect the values of quality, precision and productivity that have earned Sheffield a global reputation for excellence. Since the beginning in 1986, members of the Cellcoat team has focused its energy on ensuring that its designs satisfy your desire for perfection.

Media contact: Shellie Terry, shellie.terry@sone.com, 941-256-7915

Case Study: Pack Ready for Labels Solution Improves Scuff-Resistance

September 24, 2019 By Shellie Terry

Phenix Label in Olathe, Kan., has been printing labels for tubs of The Curse! Pre-workout supplement for a few years, and chose digital printing for the job. The team at Phenix, who have been in business since 1896, has printed digitally for 10 years using HP Indigo for all of its benefits, including easier printing for shorter runs, multiple SKUs and when they need a quick turnaround for projects like The Curse.

A common problem for label producers arises when, once applied, the labels are exposed to extreme heat, chemicals, water or friction during packing and transport. Phenix’s copacker noticed some scuffing with the finished tubs on the production line. That set Todd Fatino, VP of Innovation at Phenix, on the hunt for a more durable finish to protect the indigo inks.

“We tried several iterations of primers and varnishes and coatings … we saw some minor improvements, but not major,” Fatino says. “We continued to look for ways to improve the product, and I asked Andrew Kalina at S-OneLP if there were any new products that would enhance the label performance.”

That’s when the Phenix team discovered the preferred solution for HP Pack Ready for Labels, which includes Michelman DigiGuard 901 OPV Strengthener mixed with S-OneLP KustomLP 405 Matte OPV.

“The process was very straight forward and worked great for us,” Fatino says. “I think it’s important to note that every day the performance [of the label durability] improved. At 48 hours we saw better resistance than at 24 hours. And at 72 hours, we saw better performance than at 48.”

Fatino says the team also used the Sutherland rub test and tape tests to ensure the quality of the finish.

“The matte varnish with the 901 has improved the durability of the label from scuffing and now meets the customers expectation,” he says. “We now have had two successful production runs.”

To see how easy it is to use Michelman DigiGuard 901 and KustomLP 405, check out the video below.

New Podcast: Packaging’s Role in Reaching Sustainability Goals

September 18, 2019 By Shellie Terry

Our latest episode of the PrimeTime with S-OneLP podcast features Ralph Giammarco, S-OneLP vice president, who discusses where the industry stands with creating viable, full solutions for recyclable and compostable packaging materials for converters to offer to their brands.

As S-OneLP continues to add to its Sustainable ByDesign™ product line, Giammarco explains that the concept is to focus on the brand’s desires for recyclable or compostable packaging, as they see fit. Then, working with the converter, S-OneLP helps to custom design that particular pouch. Brands that make higher-end, artisan products, like coffee, tea and cannabis, are all early to the game.

“We’re not simply pushing one type of solution,” he says. “We’re designing the best packaging for the converter to be able to give their brand customers what they’re looking for.”

Giammarco also discusses the importance of more education and definitions of terms, which manufacturers, marketers and the industry as a whole are currently developing.

Take a listen to PrimeTime, and let us know where you think sustainable packaging is heading. And if you’re headed to Labelexpo-Europe, check out our printed sustainable package samples in stand 7E36.

Labelexpo Europe: Find the Digital Print Materials You Need Now

September 5, 2019 By Shellie Terry

The S-One Labels & Packaging team will be in Labelexpo stand 7E36 to showcase the latest materials and opportunities for digital printing for labels and packaging. Last year was our first exhibit at Labelexpo, and this year is our first time at Labelexpo Europe in Brussels later this month. We’re excited to join the 40th anniversary of Labelexpo Europe, along with 600 exhibitors and attendees from around the world!

In our stand, you’ll learn about:

Sustainable ByDesign: We’ll introduce our sustainable packaging materials, including our product lines, ReTreve™ (recyclable) and ReEarth™ (compostable). We’ll feature recyclable printed pouches and discuss our growing portfolio of recyclable and compostable product lines.
Flexible packaging: Discover the ideal pre-laminate films, overlaminate films and overprint varnishes for digital flexible packaging printing. This line, which features key products for HP Pack Ready, is being built for the European market, as well as the U.S.
We’ll showcase durable labels, which is made up of Michelman DigiGuard 901 OPV Strengthener and S-OneLP KustomLP overprint varnish. These products are exclusively available through S-OneLP, and are considered the preferred solution for HP Pack Ready for Labels to enhance label durability.
Brand protection: We’ll have information about VerifyMe and the HP Indigo approved Rainbow Secure ink and the VeriPas Track and Trace program.
eBeam: As you read this, we are preparing to install our first ever CatPak™ eBeam system in the U.S.! This system includes the eBeam coater and curing unit, unwind/rewind and proprietary features and drive system that can be customized. This ensures ease of operation, reliability and durability for immediate high-output and consistent long-term performance in standard and sustainable flexible packaging eBeam finishing.

Be sure to visit S-OneLP in Labelexpo stand 7E36 to learn about these exiting developments in the label and flexible packaging industry, and how S-OneLP can help you use them to build your business!

Media contact: Shellie Terry, shellie.terry@sone.com, 941-256-7915

Introducing: PrimeTime with S-OneLP Podcast

August 15, 2019 By Shellie Terry

We’re excited to announce that we’ve launched a podcast called PrimeTime with S-OneLP. With this podcast, we’ll interview industry insiders to discuss what’s happening in the world of label and flexible packaging printing and finishing.

In our first episode, we sit down with Tom Hauenstein, global sales director for S-OneLP, to discuss how HP Indigo operators can create durable labels using the HP Pack Ready for Labels solution, which includes Michelman DigiGuard 901 UV OPV Strengthener mixed with S-OneLP KKLP Overprint Varnish.

During our chat with Tom, we discuss:

Options for making labels more durable
How the HP Pack Ready for Labels process works
The products needed to create durable labels
How we conducted tests to determine the durability of the labels
How label printers can market their durable label capabilities

Listen to the PrimeTime with S-OneLP podcast now, and let us know what topics you’re interested in learning about.