Packaging printers are under constant pressure to improve their environmental footprints. But it is generally the brands who get it in the neck from consumer groups pressuring for change. That is likely to be the case for a while, although it isn’t necessarily a safe assumption to think printing companies are immune. In the UK recently an environmental group managed to prevent three newspaper printing plants from getting their papers out to newsagents. The protesters’ gripe was not on the basis that printing is bad for the environment, but that the national press does not provide enough coverage of environmental concerns.

This isn’t really fair because packaging has had extensive media coverage, in print and elsewhere. There is a close correlation between the number of stories in the news and the enthusiasm of consumers to start flexing their collective muscle in many geographies. They want to improve the dismal rates of packaging recyclability and this forces brands to consider how they can redesign their packaging to be easier to recycle.

The tube used to package Pringles crisps is a case in point. It is an extreme example, but even for less complex packaging, balancing functionality with recyclability is tricky, to say the least. But there are obvious things to avoid when designing a package. Plastic netting for instance is hard to recycle and can get snagged in sorting and recycling machinery. Laminates such as those used for crisp packets and chocolate should be avoided. Chocolate can be packaged in separate aluminium and paper layers without the risk of degradation.

Plastic in general is obviously a no-no. Most important of all is that packaging designs include clear recycling instructions on the package. Consumer awareness of recyclability is rising and with it the desire to minimise waste packaging. This is an opportunity both for innovative packaging designers and for brands who want to reassure their customers and encourage their loyalty.

This article was produced by the Verdigris Project, an industry initiative intended to raise awareness of print’s positive environmental impact. Verdigris is supported by: Agfa Graphics (www.Agfa.com), Digital Dots (www.digitaldots.org), EFI (www.efi.com), FESPA (www.fespa.com), Fujifilm (www.fujifilm.com/sustainability/), HP (www.hp.com), Kodak (www.Kodak.com/go/sustainability), Practical Publishing (www.practicalpublishing.co.za), Ricoh (www.ricoh.com), Unity Publishing (http://unity-publishing.co.uk) and Xeikon (www.xeikon.com).

THE VERDIGRIS PROJECT
http://verdigrisproject.com/

January

Hot Ink Installs First Xerox Iridesse In Cape Town

February

Flint Group Narrow Web EMEA Launches VIVO Colour Solutions

March

Lithomaster Increases Output With Further Xerox Investment

April

Steve Thobela Joins Novus Holdings

May

DScoop Edge EMEA Connects Players In The Digital Printing Industry

June

Heidelberg Celebrates 70 Years Of Stahlfolder Folding Machines

July

Press Products Installs Laminating Machine

August

Ministers And Speakers Confirmed For Upcoming Printing SA Africa Conference

September

Printing SA Conference Delivers Insights About Future And Sustainability Of The Printing Industry

October

Tetra Pak Explores Possible Applications Of Graphene In Packaging

November

Printing SA Calls Upon President Not To Sign Copyright Bill

December

Konica Minolta SA Revolutionises Print With Artificial Intelligence Technology

AFRICA PRINT +2711 450 1650 dyelan@practicalpublishing.co.za www.africaprint.com

Extended colour gamuts: most of us are familiar with the conventional four-colour CMYK printing separations – cyan, magenta, yellow and black. With so many product decisions affected by colour, brand owners are embracing the opportunity to print more colours, more easily, using extended colour gamuts (ECG). The new colour process set-up generally adds three more colours. The wider options allow printers to render brand colours more precisely by specifying the combinations using the new colour gamut.

Sustainability: consumers across the world now want to know that the products they buy, and the processes used to make them, are as sustainable as possible. Labels are no exception. This means that label printers are manufacturing sustainable labels, featuring top layers that are fully recyclable, and also marine-immersion resistant. Marine-immersion testing is already an established industry, certifying that particular labels will survive long term immersion – for instance, if cargo is lost at sea – so that it will be clear how the contents should be handled for minimal environmental impact.

Smart labels: far from just providing visual design and information elements, modern labels are now a gateway to a limitless world of digital content. These are accessed through QR codes and next-generation 3D Codes, which consumers access by scanning the code through their phones.

Augmented Reality: this is another functionality enabled by smartphone technology. Augmented Reality (AR) ‘Brings Print to Life’, as elements on the label trigger video, animation or other elements, which are viewed through the smartphone screen. With AR, the label is no longer the only showcase for the product, but a platform for a world of compelling content to spark the shopper’s imagination.

Embellishment: the days of the flat, mono-colour label are well and truly over. Today, every client demands some kind of special finishing for their labels – be it lamination, raised varnish, cold or hot foiling, metallic inks or fluorescent inks. Premium is the new normal, and label printers are now expected to add striking print elements to every design to catch the consumer’s eye – even for budget products.

Smart bins: as the recycling culture gathers pace, manufacturers and recycling companies are making use of smart bins that can scan label bar codes and sort accordingly. Refuse is also compressed using solar power, and collectors are summoned when bins need emptying. Some smart bins are even able to make micropayments into the accounts of people disposing of items, according to the value of the packaging disposed of.

Transparent labels: some products have unique colours and textures that sell themselves, which calls for clear-film labels that are almost invisible, but nonetheless provide the requisite brand and product information for consumers to make informed choices.

Colour management software: this technology allows for functions such as ‘closed loop colour management’, where a press is able to scan and measure the colour on moving paper while the press is in operation. This information is then used to make automatic adjustments to ink density and other measurements. This helps to ensure consistency across the run – one of the great goals of label printing.

KONICA MINOLTA SOUTH AFRICA (+27 11) 661 9000 http://www.kmsa.com

The content we consume through the media we are exposed to, enters our consciousness via our senses. Traditionally, print has been mainly a visual medium, but the possibilities of modern print technology allows us to transcend this former limitation.

This opens up a world of possibilities, using senses previously not central to the communications space. At the same time, as we use more of our ability to perceive, the psychological effect of media becomes increasingly important.

For the print medium to thrive it needs to embrace all these opportunities. Fortunately, there are some incredible innovations taking shape. Here are some of the amazing sensory possibilities that modern print enables:

Impulse purchases – A study by John Peck and Terry Childers (1) found that touching and feeling a product can make shoppers more likely to purchase it – especially if they have a higher Need For Touch (NFT). Textures or inlays that encourage touch can be a powerful selling tool.

It’s mine! – Studies have also found that touch influences our sense of ownership of an item, even if we do not actually own it. This also makes us more likely to purchase it on impulse (2).

The smell of the product – Smell is a powerful, primal sense. Scratch-and-sniff functionality has long been used to market fragrances in print magazines. Misters, which send aromas into the air, are another great technique. With outdoor advertising one can combine the scent of a product – a cake or a plate of French fries – with an image, for almost irresistible impact. Unique, customised smells can also be developed to function as a kind of fragrance logo.

Peel ‘n’ taste – Taste strips can now be included with printed material to share pleasant tastes, for instance with a grape juice advert. Conversely, the anti-smoking lobby has used taste strips to mimic the taste of an ashtray and thus discourage smoking.

Print your food – It is possible to print on food as a security measure to track the provenance of meat or fruit, for example. A technology called Foodini, by Natural Machines, is a kitchen appliance that can 3D print food in any shape, using natural ingredients.

The Feel of quality – Haptics, or touch, is one of our main techniques for determining luxury in a product. As such, it is a useful way to convey sophistication in a printed product. This can be via the finish of a page – foil, varnish or spot coatings – or to resonate with the visual content depicted.

A visual hook – Most printed products are designed to appeal to the sense of sight. However, our vision is easily distracted. It thus becomes important to focus the reader’s attention using techniques like high-contrast colour schemes, provocative images, compelling finishes and strong typography. Holograms are always visually intriguing. Today, we can even incorporate video screens into printed material.

Soundscapes – As it becomes possible to manufacture batteries on an increasingly compact scale, the possibilities for sound-enabled printing become ever more exciting. Now, a page or a poster can be played like a musical instrument. It’s also now possible to generate sounds by connecting to the smartphones of readers using proximity technology. Wireless headphone technology offers other opportunities to connect with a viewer’s Apple airpods, for example.

Augment the reality – Augmented Reality technology allows us to create entire worlds that can be experienced through our smartphone screens, interacting with the printed images in ways limited only by the designer’s own imagination, thus ‘bringing print to life’.

(1) Peck, Childers; Journal of Business Research; 2005.
(2) Peck, Shu; Journal of Consumer Research; 2009.

KONICA MINOLTA SOUTH AFRICA (+27 11) 661 9000 http://www.kmsa.com

Printing SA Marketing Manager, Abisha Katerere, said, ‘Without the support of the industry through our dedicated and loyal sponsors, such events would never take place. We hope that the rest of the industry stakeholders that attended were inspired by this showcase of support, in light of the theme for the two day conference, which was ‘Empowering the Industry’.

See the highlights of the conference and dinner in this video:

FP&M SETA

The Fibre Processing and Manufacturing (FP&M) SETA was established by the Honourable Minister of Higher Education and Training on 1 April 2011 after government took a decision to cluster sectors in order to strengthen value-chain linkages between related industries. The FP&M SETA consist of 13 sub-sectors, namely the clothing, footwear, forestry, furniture, general goods, leather, packaging, printing, print media, publishing, pulp and paper, textiles and wood products sectors.

Although classified individually, the sub-sectors are closely integrated. Together they create tremendous value in the lives of consumers, by converting lumber, pulp, natural or synthetic fibres and animal skins/hides into finished products such as furniture, clothing, shoes, protective equipment, paper and paper board, printing (books, magazines, etc), industrial fabrics and extending into high-tech applications in many different industries (automotive, health and building construction to name a few). If you think about it, you can’t go through a day without using one or more of the products manufactured in the fibre processing and manufacturing sector.

www.fpmseta.org.za

FESPA

FESPA is a global federation of 37 national associations for the screen printing, digital printing and textile printing community. Founded in 1962, FESPA organises the leading exhibitions and conferences for this community. Since its inception over 50 years ago, FESPA has been supporting the print community via successful exhibitions, events and publications, providing education and networking opportunities.

FESPA’s successful worldwide events generate profits, which are reinvested for the benefit of the global print community. Via their network of 37 national associations, FESPA supports hundreds of projects each year to educate and grow the industry.

https://www.fespa.com/en

Novus Print

With continued and substantial investment since 2000, Novus Print’s plants are equipped with the most advanced equipment available in all areas, including pre-press, press and post-press. The on-going implementation of faster, state-of-the-art technology ensures highly efficient, fully automated production processes that deliver quick, high quality printing of almost any format.

From gravure to heatset web offset, and sheet-fed to coldset, their ongoing investment in world-leading printing technology and presses positions Novus Print as a leading print supplier in South Africa and on the continent. Their print technology focus is complemented by a rigorous process focus and client-first approach. From education to retail, government to media – Novus Print services the print needs of clients across multiple sectors. Whether it is newspapers, books or magazines, personalised catalogues, flyers or brochures, they replicate it pixel-perfect, time after time.

https://novus.holdings/novus-holdings/

Agility Health

Agility Health’s unique healthcare risk management solutions integrate administration services and world-class technology with its forward-thinking risk management programmes through innovative technology and independent clinical product development processes. Agility Health is a subsidiary of Agility Holdings and one of the ten largest open medical scheme administrators in the South African healthcare industry. Its business model ensures a boutique, specialised service provision. As a result, the company is able to ensure customised service centres, key executive involvement and implementation of sophisticated healthcare strategies.

Agility Health, with its global footprint through investments in healthcare, technology solutions and financial services, predominantly operates in South Africa and has successfully concluded projects across a broad spectrum of clients throughout the African Continent. Highly automated intelligent processing, effective clinical risk management and high quality reporting are all value propositions for medical schemes administered and managed by Agility Health’s national operations.

www.agilityhealth.co.za

Heidelberg

Heidelberg has been a major provider and reliable partner to the global printing industry for many years. They offer customers all the components tailored to their requirements for successful business operations. They are also advancing the digitalisation of the industry, providing integrated and reliable production processes, financially optimal investments and smooth access to all necessary materials.

Their products, service offerings and consumables, in addition to their partnerships, are tailored to meet specific future-oriented customer needs and are geared towards customers’ economic success. To achieve this, they offer an all-round service with reliable presses and fully integrated solutions with the right services and consumables, which guarantee the utmost availability of all means of production and a smooth-running, continuous production process. The range extends from state-of-the-art digital technologies to preconfigured standard offset presses with corresponding cost benefits and fast delivery times, through to individually configured special presses for maximum productivity and every conceivable print application.

http://www.heidelberg.com/za

Africa Print Expo

The event is a showcase for the latest technologies and trends in digital printing presses, binding equipment, digital packaging solutions, screen printing, digital textile printing, finishing equipment, ink, software, pad printing, paper and board, litho print solutions, encapsulating/laminating and digital label printing. The next Johannesburg event will be held from 9-11 September at Gallagher Convention Centre. Regional expo’s will also be held, with the first event taking place in Bloemfontein on 12 February at Ilanga Estate.

https://www.africaprintexpo.com

PRINTING SA +27112871160 info@printingsa.org
http://www.printingsa.org

Dr Morne Mostert, Director of the Institute for Futures Research, presented the findings of his research report. He said that the printing industry is fragmenting and that it is being redefined. The industry is also moving from large labour intensive single locations to large capital intensive places. ‘This has serious implications for how organised labour organises itself,’ said Mostert. Another challenge is the change in how people consume information – printers need to understand the shifts in consumer preferences.

However, despite these challenges, there are positives. ‘What you can print on is exploding, and this presents so much opportunity for the industry,’ said Mostert. ‘There is also a shift towards a hyper-connected and hyper-distributed printing industry.’ Business diversification and strategies to maximise these opportunities are key.

One printer on the conference’s discussion panel who is diversifying is Vrajlal Harry, MD of Celglade Investments, trading as Harry’s Printers. The company was established in 1929 and is the largest printer in the Eastern Cape. As part of Harry’s extensive research on innovation, he has travelled abroad to consult with innovative printing companies and leaders in innovation. ‘Successful CEO’s are spending 50% or more time on innovation,’ he said. ‘Print companies that are thriving have embraced IT or marketing services and they’ve experienced good margins and increased employment.’

Sean Holt, Executive Director, FESPA, addressed the topic ‘Gen Z – The Future Workforce’, stating that printing companies need to be attractive to this workforce. Companies need to work hard to combat the perception that the printing industry is a ‘dirty business’ and a ‘declining industry’. ‘We need to communicate that printing is a high-tech, highly-skilled, creative, exciting and dynamic industry. We need to make careers in this industry an attractive proposition to Gen Z – this will sustain the industry,’ said Holt.

So what does Gen Z want?
– Opportunities for advancement.
– They’re motivated by job security and money.
– They’re willing to work hard for the right organisation.
– Flexible working environments – things like being able to work from home as well as flexi-time.
– Constant feedback and close relationships with their superiors.

How we communicate about the printing industry was another point shared during a panel discussion. This not only applies to making the industry attractive to Gen Z, but it also applies to getting useful stakeholders on board to support the industry. ‘FESPA believes phrasing it as the visual communications business, which is broad, and not ‘the printing business’, which sometimes has negative connotations. Our language use is important,’ said Holt.

Panellist Steve Thobela, Novus Print: Executive – South, agreed: ‘When we mention ‘printing’, people think of ink and a dirty and old industry, but when we rephrase it as ‘communication and marketing’, people want to get on board with projects.’

Representatives from government, business, labour – including the South African Typographical Union and the Federation of Unions of South Africa – as well as a variety of stakeholders, shared their views during panel discussions. These discussions represented what should be happening: collaboration and effective communication between stakeholders to ensure the sustainability and future of the industry.

Printing SA CEO Dr Abdool Majid Mahomed Mahomed said, ‘Partnerships will not only create jobs, it will ensure stability and growth. The emphasis should be on building trust, holding government accountable, engaging proactively with policy and regulation development, and advising on trade, duties and tariffs. The new African Free Trade agreement that is being mooted, has to be used to our advantage.’

Summarising some of his insights from the conference, Dr Mahomed, said, ‘While the printing industry is bleeding jobs, all is not doom and gloom. It is definitely not dying, but merely transitioning or transforming, and continuously evolving. Through the use of appropriate technologies that are now available, and innovation at its heart, it now offers new types of communication channels on various substrates, to a new customer that wants things here and now, and packaged individually.’

‘We are moving from traditional printing machines, to more digital print on demand. While paper is still at the heart of it, there is a move from paper to ‘vapour’ – that is in the cloud, online and on various textures including glass, plastic, wood, rubber, aluminium, steel, textiles, footwear, wrap arounds for vehicles and trucks, billboards, etc. While printing will still happen, it will happen everywhere.’

He said that while printing will still use inks of all sorts, it is moving to a more high-tech industry, requiring highly skilled and creative designers, marketers and IT specialists. ‘It is a dynamic and exciting space and we need to encourage learners and workers to enter the industry with appropriate skills and learning tools, enabling them to future-proof themselves.’

PRINTING SA (+27 11) 287 1160 info@printingsa.org http://www.printingsa.org