S-OneLP: Blog - Digital Labels and Flexible Packaging

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 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.

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.

Where in the World Is S-OneLP?

June 26, 2019 By Shellie Terry

June was a busy month for the S-One Labels & Packaging team as the digital flexible packaging printing industry continues to expand! We hit some important events to continue the conversations with our peers, partners and customers.

Global Pouch, Chicago

For the first time, we exhibited at Global Pouch to share our growing portfolio of solutions for flexible packaging, including our line of pre-laminated films that have the HP Pack Ready thumbs-up, as well as mono-web films, all of which are backed up with our technical expertise. We gave a sneak peek at what we’ve got in store for our Sustainable ByDesign™ product lines of recyclable and compostable solutions, which was, by far, the hottest topic, especially in terms of qualifying films.

Ralph Giammarco and Roymal’s Ginger Cushing talk flexible packaging at Global Pouch in Chicago.

“One major brand was looking for compostable films for bar-shaped snacks, yet they would only purchase compostable packaging if the packaging films were ASTM approved and BPI certified,” says S-OneLP Product Marketing Manager Dan Halkyard. “If they are going to claim their package is compostable, they want paperwork to back it up.”

And that was just the beginning of the sustainable conversation …

“There were a lot of questions, especially in the sustainable realm,” says S-OneLP VP Ralph Giammarco. “What is meant by sustainable? What tests are relevant? Which materials can be combined? What do the new materials cost and how do we reduce it? Who can I collaborate with? To find the answers, converters need someone with a 360-degree view, up-to-date technical knowledge, and a desire to help make them successful … that is S-OneLP.”

Another hot topic was cannabis packaging, especially the fact that different states have different requirements for packaging messages, which is an ideal play for digital printing and shorter runs! Add the need for product verification, and you’ve got a double win for digital and track-and-trace capabilities, such as VerifyMe’s RainbowSecure inks and VeriPas program, created for HP Indigo printers.

For S-OneLP, Global Pouch was a success. “The show had great traffic and it was a great exhibiting and networking event,” Giammarco says. “It was only a few hours out of the conference, but it was power-packed!”

Dscoop Edge, PortAdventura, Spain

The week following Global Pouch, our team descended upon our third Dscoop event of 2019, this time in Spain. We love the Dscoop community, which is always up for a fun time and inspiring ideas.

Tom Hauenstein and Gerard Geurts at Dscoop Edge.

“The Dscoop platform is known for gaining inspiration and new ideas, learning and understanding new digital products and application solutions and eagerly looking to push the envelope further,” says Gerard Geurts, who heads up S-OneLP EMEA new business development. “Dscoop Edge came to PortAventura this year, which is known for its amusement park and amazing roller coaster attractions for all ages … including the elderly among us.”

At the event, the S-OneLP team joined our Michelman partners in their booth as a joint partnership with Michelman and Brigal (an HP Indigo distributor for Spain/Portugal).

An exciting development was S-OneLP’s EMEA team bringing flexible packaging solutions to the market, including S-OneLP being the first EMEA supplier with HP Indigo-validated Pack Ready thermal lamination films for Indigo flex-pack customers, Geurts explained.

“S-OneLP’s unique proposition offering low MOQ and short lead times of newly released Pack Ready film is exciting news and an open door for customers seeking new HP Indigo thermal lamination solutions,” he says. “The news spread fast!”

So where are we going next? You can meet our European and American teams at Labelexpo in Brussels this September! See you soon!

We’ve Got a New Texas Warehouse

May 7, 2019 By Shellie Terry

As our customer base continues to grow, we’ve added warehousing to the southern region of the U.S. with a new warehouse facility in Fort Worth, Texas. This warehouse will help us improve lead times and reduce shipping costs for customers in Texas and the surrounding area.

For most regions, shipments will deliver in one day instead of two to three days. This expansion in our services means a better experience for you!

By May 20, this warehouse will be stocked with our most popular in-line primers, and we’ll add products as demand increases.

Please contact the S-OneLP team with any questions at 941-256-7900.

Now in EMEA: HP Pack Ready for Labels

April 24, 2019 By Shellie Terry

We’re excited to announce that the HP Pack Ready for Labels solution featuring Michelman DigiGuard 901 OPV Strengthener and KKLP200 Gloss OPV is now available in EMEA. This quick and easy option is a cost-effective way to create durable labels that can stand up to water, heat, cold and chemicals.

Just add one (1) part of DigiGuard 901 to nine (9) parts KKLP200 to provide durable and effective labels for many applications, including:

Cosmetics
Household cleaners
Auto chemicals
Food & beverages
Equipment

These results are easier and less expensive to achieve than laminates when creating labels on HP Indigo 20000, WS6XXX or HP 800 digital presses with inline priming units. Learn more about HP Pack Ready for Labels in the video below.

Also, as a partner with Kustom Koatings, we can now offer our EMEA customers an exciting portfolio of varnishes, including:

KK682: Gloss varnish with water and mechanical resistance
KK684: Extremely durable varnish in matte finish
KK810: Foil stampable and thermal transfer printable gloss
KK812: Foil stampable and thermal transfer printable matte
LED003: Excellent LED UV varnish that doesn’t exhibit yellowing
KKLP200: Gloss varnish designed for HP Pack Ready for Labels
KKLP (coming soon): Benzo-free version of KKLP200
KKLP405 (coming soon): Benzo-free matte varnish for HP Pack Ready for Labels
KK718: Press wash that works with most chemistries and rollers

To learn more or to order these varnishes and the HP Pack Ready for Labels solution in the European market, email labelsandpackaging@sone.com or call +49 173 6531949 or +31 437999719.

Ideas, Innovation & Inspiration Bloom at Dscoop Edge Orlando

April 5, 2019 By Shellie Terry

Dscoop Edge Orlando proved to be another week of bringing together the top creative and innovative minds in our industry. During the event, we were encouraged to think openly, meet new professionals and continue to envision the dynamic future for everyone who makes up and supports the HP Indigo market.

Carl Joachim of ePac presents at Karlville’s pre-Dscoop open house.

The week started for us in Miami with a visit to Karlville to learn more about HP Pack Ready converting and finishing. We also encountered the growing excitement for HP Indigo in Latin American counties. We learned about the market drivers and the state of the flex-pack space thanks to a presentation by HP and Karlville partner, ePac.

“The sharing of knowledge, like that from ePac CMO Carl Joachim, was truly invaluable,” says Ralph Giammarco, S-OneLP VP, “You just don’t see people in other industries sharing information like this. Plus, this open house showcased HP’s strength in how they work with their partners, such as Toray, Charter NEX, Nobelus and S-OneLP, who were all represented.”

Once in Orlando, it was a whirlwind of activity and inspiration throughout the Solutions Showcase. In the S-OneLP booth, we had conversations on this year’s hot topics: Sustainable solutions, brand protection and HP Pack Ready for Labels.

A Finish for Everyone

For flexible packaging pouches, we provided samples of white and metallic pre-laminated flower seed pouches, which were printed at CL&D Digital and finished with a gloss OPV from Michelman. We also had clear pre-lam film that was printed at ePac in Miami and made into stand-up bird seed pouches and finished with thermal lamination at Karlville. Finally, we had NatureFlex pouches with compostable layers of film from our partners at Futamura, which were finished with eBeam technology. (Plus we continued our launch of the CatPak eBeam Finishing System with Tim Burke from CDA.)

We highlighted the durability of the HP Pack Ready for Labels solution, which included labels printed by Consolidated Labels, and finished with a mixture of Michelman DigiGuard 901 OPV Strengthener and KustomLP Gloss OPV. This combination provided super durable labels that were tested to stand up to water, chemicals and more.

“What we heard at Dscoop is that people are looking for a solution for scratch resistance when printing to metallized BOPP,” says Tom Hauenstein, S-OneLP global sales leader. “DigiGuard 901 with our KustomLP UV overprint varnish delivered rock solid results for scratch resistance as well as the best results we’ve seen for ink adhesion and chemical and water resistance, too.

“We also learned that printers turn to digital to create durable labels so they don’t have to produce short-run jobs on flexo. The HP Pack Ready for Labels option provides the easy, cost-effective answer.”

Talking Security

S-OneLP’s Nichole Danzig demonstrates VeriPas to the HP team.

We also demonstrated VerifyMe’s newest VeriPAS authenticator device along with its track-and-trace software that allow brands to use both overt and covert codes, serial numbers or graphics to protect and authenticate their products anywhere in the world. This proved to be a hot topic throughout the conference.

“We can’t emphasize enough how important it is for our customers to be prepared to talk about product protection with their brand customers,” Giammarco says. “I encourage them to check out HP Link, GlobalPas, VerifyMe and others who are providing truly viable options in the digital printing space. Every day we hear about how brands will need to validate and authenticate their products in the market. Label and flex-pack printers and converters are in the perfect position to deliver easy, cost-effective ways to do just that.”

Sustainable … by Design

With major CPGs committing to using all sustainable packaging by 2025, the supply chain in the digital printing space jumped into action to begin designing solutions that are eco-friendly.

“It’s not enough to simply say: This pouch contains compostable layers,” Giammarco says. “We need to start with the application — what’s going in the pouch, what kind of finishing does it need, how will it be composted … or recycled? Once these questions are answered, we can move forward to design a sustainable pouch for that particular application. Customizing both the pouch itself and what’s printed on it are the two key aspects of driving this forward. Again — the digital space is primed to tackle this and support brands of all sizes.”

It was another awesome week at Dscoop, and we look forward to seeing everyone in Orlando next year!

We Put DigiGuard 901 + KustomLP OPV to the Test

March 22, 2019 By Shellie Terry

Last fall we helped HP introduce HP Pack Ready for Labels, a fast and easy solution for creating very durable labels that can stand up to all sorts of conditions. By simply adding the Michelman DigiGuard 901 OPV Strengthener additive to a silicone-free OPV, such as KustomLP 200 Gloss or 405 Matte, you can achieve high-resistance labels that open up new market opportunities for HP Indigo printers.

In January, we printed a new batch of labels to test using the Sutherland Rub Test and tape tests that are industry-standard tests for durability. We digitally printed standard white, clear and metallized BOPP labels on an HP Indigo 6800 Press. Then, we mixed batches of DigiGuard 901 with our KKLP 200 Gloss and KKLP 405 Matte Overprint Varnish in a radio of 9 parts OPV and 1 part 901, as instructed by the HP Pack Ready for Labels process.

After a couple of days, we immersed the labels in hot water and chemicals for tests ranging from 2 to 8 hours, and then applied the Sutherland Rub Tester for 1,000 rubs with 2 pounds of pressure, at 21 cycles a minute. After these vigorous tests, we saw no visible change to the labels.

Check out the video above to see how we did it! Plus, if you’re at Dscoop Edge in Orlando, we’ll have HP Pack Ready for Labels samples in booth #305, or visit our Contact Us page to request a sample. See you in Orlando!