& FOLDING CARTON CORRUGATED PACKAGING Design and prepress solutions
Contents 3 Introduction 8 Brand Management 10 Structural Design 12 Short-run Production 14 Prepress 22 Digital Flexo 24 Digital Print 26 Services 27 Financing 2
Design and prepress solutions for folding carton and corrugated packaging Stretched by challenging deadlines? Pressured to produce more environmental friendly packaging? Searching for added value and higher margins? You should know that EskoArtwork has answers. Whether you produce folding carton boxes or corrugated shipping containers; whether you print offset, digital or flexo; whether your focus is either pre-print or post-print corrugated: EskoArtwork solutions help optimize cost, streamline workflow and communication, and improve overall production quality and consistency. We master paperboard packaging production: from design over prepress and workflow automation, proofing and plate making, color management up to the printed and finished box. Talk to us and you will find out how we can help to design, produce and manage outstanding packaging. 3
Corrugated and Folding Carton Packaging Stretched by challenging deadlines? Run lengths in paperboard packaging are in constant decrease. Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) manufacturers introduce more and more product variants and packaging buyers push the cost of inventory upstream. The finished pack must meet several performance criteria: run smoothly on the filling lines, effectively communicate the brand message, seduce the consumer to buy and protect the product. With EskoArtwork solutions, you master your production workflow with a wide range of tools and professional services for design and print, online approval and collaboration, hyper-realistic 3D virtual mock-ups and step and repeat scenarios for sheet fed offset or flexo plate making. Color accurate proofing and computer to plate imaging for flexo are integrated in a highly automated workflow that s easy to set up, easy to learn and easy to maintain. And your workflow communicates flawlessly with your MIS system. EskoArtwork provides a competitive advantage you can t do without. 4
Searching for added value and higher margins? Consider web-based services for online approval, manage all stakeholders and all steps of the approval process on your online web portal to speed up the production process and shorten time to market. Use 3D visualization as early as possible to better manage quality expectations of your customer. Visualize the packaging in a real context: in a virtual store, with the product inside, in a consumer environment, etc. Link your MIS and CRM systems to your production workflow and avoid double data entry, leading to considerable error reduction. 5
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Rightsizing packaging reduces material and production costs of packaging. Pressured to produce more environmental friendly packaging? Today, stakeholders in the packaging and print supply chain are trying to minimize environmental and social impact of production processes and products. EskoArtwork integrates solutions software, hardware and services that enable environment-friendlier design and production of packaging and print: Design for efficient use of materials, layout, logistics and end of life considerations such as light weighting, right sizing and cube utilization. Produce for minimum impact on the environment, such as prepress and print process automation, virtual on-screen proofing, plate and other production optimization solutions that reduce substrates, energy and waste. EskoArtwork is a member of the Sustainable Packaging Coalition (SPC). It supports innovative, functional packaging materials and systems that promote economic and environmental health through supply chain collaboration. 7
Brand management Remember the last time you had to stop a press because of a typo? Managing and protecting content on packaging is a long standing requirement in the industry. With Dynamic Content, solution, text input can be separated from graphical layout by establishing a live link between the brand owner s content management system and your prepress workflow. Text in information panels is generated automatically. This process excludes text errors and establishes crystal clear responsibilities in the supply chain. Challenged to reproduce brand colors accurately on your inkjet proofer? Color consistency, predictability and repeatability demands a well integrated color management solution. The Color Engine embeds color management functionality in the entire workflow. It combines CMYK profiles with patented spectral profiles for spot colors which are individually profiled. Don t spend resources to fingerprint spot inks yourself. The SunChemical SmartColour database of over 230.000 spot inks is directly accessible from the Color Engine. 8
Want to test design ideas and design variations much faster? Studio Designer brings 3D packaging design to Adobe Illustrator. Studio is the 3D toolset for packaging designers. Your packaging is not flat, why would you continue designing in 2D only? With Studio s ability to output a 3D PDF, communication between designer and customer greatly improves. Reduce 3D preview cost and time? ArtiosCAD and the Studio Toolkit for Boxes are state of the art tools to create structural designs, ready to use on the desktop and apply graphic designs. Studio Visualizer creates and shares ultra-realistic on-screen mock-ups and soft proofs of box design. It renders high-value finishing effects which can be used for test marketing, QA, or virtual pack shots. 9
Structural design Want to save time and reduce errors in the packaging design process? ArtiosCAD is the world s most popular and advanced structural design software for folding carton and corrugated packaging design. With tools designed for packaging professionals, product development, virtual prototyping and manufacturing, ArtiosCAD increases productivity throughout your company and supply chain. Intelligent drafting tools and smart standards save design time and reduce errors. ArtiosCAD comes with a resizable design library of US, ECMA, FEFCO and display standards. The powerful rebuild design feature allows designs to be parametrically rebuilt with new geometric values. Want to avoid trial and error design? Import Collada, CATIA, ProE, STEP, SAT, IGES or SolidWorks 3D solid models from other 3D modeling programs into ArtiosCAD and create packaging based on the imported product, part or assembly. 10
Can you merge structure and CAD graphics? Combining structural and graphics design early in the design and prepress helps you to create correct packaging from the very start. Our unique and rich toolset allows just that. Adobe Illustrator Import plug-in imports native ArtiosCAD files into Illustrator, preserving all its characteristics. The Adobe Illustrator Export plug-in exports graphic information directly to ArtiosCAD, helping structural designers to develop a packaging die cut that follows a specific graphic shape. Studio Designer works with native ArtiosCAD data to provide immediate and accurate 3D feedback of the graphic design activities inside Adobe Illustrator. Basic single folding carton boxes can be designed directly inside Adobe Illustrator using the Studio Toolkit for Boxes. Manufacturing in ArtiosCAD. Automatically calculate sheet layouts that have minimum production costs. Quickly create quality die boards and coating blankets from a sheet layout for flat and rotary dies. Automatically generate ejection rubber profiles for a cutting die. Create the complete design of individual counter plates automatically. Quickly design top and bottom stripping sets as well as the front waste separator. 11
Short-run production Need to complement your diecutting machinery with a solution for fast, cost-effective and versatile short-run digital finishing? The Kongsberg family of short-run production tables is designed for fast digital finishing of folding carton or corrugated boxes and signs and displays. The large versatility in tools and knives distinguishes Kongsberg tables from conventional die-cutting equipment. The Kongsberg XE10 is a smaller format flatbed cutting table, designed to offer a fast, high-quality solution for sample making of folding carton boxes. Its automated version can be used for short-run production of smaller series of boxes. The Kongsberg XL series of die-less cutting and creasing tables deliver record-breaking productivity and versatility for folding carton sample making and short-run production. The tables offer simple and time-optimized operation, excellent tooling flexibility and an unsurpassed track record for durability. 12
The Kongsberg XP series offer a new level of productivity for corrugated packaging companies and manufacturers of POP and permanent in-store product displays that need a fast and highly reliable solution for short run production. With the Kongsberg XP Auto, digital conversion of up to 1000 sheets is more cost efficient than conventional die-cutting. With auto feeding and auto stacking options, the sample making table turns into a production machine capable of running unattended for hours. 13
Prepress Challenged to deliver consistent high quality prepress results? DeskPack, a packaging prepress solution for Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop and Acrobat, turns the worlds most favorite desktop applications into a full-fledged packaging production workstation. Share the same tools for 3D quality assurance, barcode generation, ink management and trapping between your Adobe Illustrator and ArtPro and PackEdge. ArtPro is the most successful editor for packaging pre-production. With dedicated and efficient tools for box production, ArtPro turns your design into print-ready files instantly. ArtPro and PackEdge launch workflow automation tasks directly from the editor using Shuttle, the link with the Automation Engine. 14
Not sure if the design is upside down on this flap after erecting the carton? Operators are constantly struggling with a 2D to 3D translation when preparing packaging designs for production. With Studio Designer, you get immediate feedback in a 3D preview window of your manipulations of the flat design. It s the perfect way to immediately notice and correct design errors: design elements placed too close to a crease, text that becomes invisible because placed on a tuck-in flap, box panel overlaps that don t match Studio Designer is your ultimate 3D Quality Assurance. It is available for Adobe Illustrator, ArtPro and PackEdge. 15
How do I convince my customer to add a touch of luxury to the box? How do you convince your customer of the beneficial effects of embossing, a silver or gold foil, a high gloss varnish or a holographic foil? Especially in the luxury, perfumes and cosmetics markets, packaging truly differentiates the product from its competitors on the shop shelves. Producing hardcopy proofs of your concepts is very expensive. A better idea is creating ultra-realistic virtual 3D mock-ups with Studio Visualizer. Studio Visualizer creates and shares on-screen mock-ups and soft proofs of high value finishing 16
effects. Visualize what your carton board or corrugated box will look like when handled and moved in a realistic in-store lighting environment against a 360 background. Save money by making fewer comps. And because 3D comps can be shared instantly by e-mail or web, you can move through the design and production cycle significantly faster. 17
You need the best step and repeat solution? Plato and PowerStepper are tools for the creation of print-ready layouts. It is the production gateway between the prepress department and the press-room. Flawless automated plate layout is ensured through clever import of CAD structural design formats (ArtiosCAD MFG, CFF, DDES). All information is consolidated, including step-and repeat parameters, sheet and board sizes and varnish areas. Bleed is calculated based on rules and station numbers are added in a single mouse-click. How much prepress time goes into legends and control strips? SmartMarks automatically create print production controls such as color bars, sheet corner marks, and trim marks. SmartMarks are dynamic and adapt automatically to changes in the job. SmartMarks will pull data from 3rd party databases and populate fields without operator intervention. 18
Waiting too long for varnish blankets and spot varnish plates? With the CAD import tools in Plato and PowerStepper, the creation of Varnish Blanket separations becomes highly automated. There is no need anymore to tediously redraw the varnish areas on the print layout plate. Use a CDI to image spot varnish plates or a Kongsberg table to kiss-cut varnish blankets for maximum flexibility and reactivity. Do you want to get your press up to color faster? FlexProof maximizes prepress productivity, quality and consistency regardless of the type of print chosen for your folding carton or corrugated packaging. FlexProof and Color Engine together guarantee consistency in color and geometry between proof and plate. Get to color on press up to 20% faster than the industry benchmark today. 19
Will you set a new quality standard in offset printing? Screening technology is usually considered straightforward, but it s worth your consideration when in need of exceptional results. Concentric Screening adds concentric rings to a conventional circular dot shape. The benefits are huge: the color saturation is notably higher while you print with less ink. Is your company really too small for workflow automation? No matter the size of your company, there is always a workflow automation solution that suits your needs. You are always on the lookout for new services for your customers, but you want to keep your profit margin safe. Far-going workflow automation and MIS integration is the answer. Your print production staff loses a lot of time doing mundane tasks that can easily be automated. Let your staff focus on the tasks where it makes the difference, leaving the repetitive tasks to the Automation Engine. Automation Engine is a powerful and scaleable yet easy to use workflow automation server integrating all design and production components in one workflow. Its client-server architecture provides data management, offloads operator workstations, centralizes operator expertise and automates the entire production process. 20
Are your production deadlines challenged? WebCenter is your face on the internet for your global customers. WebCenter provides a 24/7 global communication and approval platform. Information is stored centrally and shared globally. WebCenter lets users evaluate, review and approve documents, reduce and eliminate development cycles and organize their packaging projects and assets. Are your prepress mistakes in fact communication errors? Integrating various processes in a packaging production environment has a great savings potential through error reduction. When you are using an MIS system for order tracking, integrating it with your prepress system will do exactly that. Industry initiatives like CIP4 (www.cip4.org), JDF and the Ghent PDF Workgroup (www.gwg.org) are aimed at integrating systems into an end-to-end production workflow. 21
R Digital flexo How can we help you run your presses more efficiently? You want to excel in flexo printing for corrugated or even folding carton production? EskoArtwork combines all the advantages of traditional flexo with the latest digital imaging technologies. Every stage in the imaging process is automated, from plate imaging through to plate cuttings and mounting. The Cyrel Digital Imager (CDI) is a solution for digital flexo plate and sleeve imaging, from digital data to a processed and press-ready plate. Simplify production every step of the way. With Inline UV, main exposure becomes a highly controlled digital process. Will you be the converter setting a new quality standard in flexo printing? Flexo has never been this close to offset or gravure printing thanks to HD Flexo. It provides an astounding tonal range in images and smooth vignettes. With HD Flexo, you now produce folding carton packaging with stunning colors previously impossible in flexo. And you use the same print-ready data regardless of the printing technique used, be it flexo, offset or digital. The CDI computer-to-plate imagers and HD Flexo combine high resolution optics with advanced screening technology for a digital flexo plate for superior printing quality and stability. 22
Want to reduce of plate waste by at least 15%? The Digital Flexo Suite for Corrugated boosts the productivity of your plate mounting process, leading to a tangible reduction of plate wastage. Large format layouts are divided into a number of smallest-size plate patches, either fully automatic or under visual operator control. By auto-placing these patches on a small-format flexo plate, plate wastage is dramatically reduced. No extra work on the repro side is needed, because cross marks and reference codes for identification as well as for further processing are automatically. 23
Digital print Expanding your production capacity with a digital press? Adding a digital printing press capacity is not a trivial decision. Looking at the bigger picture, you will need the right prepress tools to support critical workflow requirements. The customer demands color consistency regardless of the printing press you use, regardless of digital or conventional print. For flexibility and efficiency purposes, you want to postpone the decision to go digital or conventional as long as possible. The Digital Front End, powered by EskoArtwork, supports hybrid printing workflows, partnering with most of the digital press vendors currently out on the market today. Are Signs and POPs an important part of your business? i-cut Suite is a collection of pre-production software targeted specifically at users of large format digital printers and/or digital finishing systems. From preflighting PDF files, preparing graphics, creating layouts, to printing, and finishing in perfect registration. i-cut Suite tackles all bottlenecks in your workflow. Different jobs call for different types of nesting. But i-cut Suite makes sure that you have the most cost efficient layout. Perfect registration is guaranteed on a Kongsberg cutting table combined with i-cut Vision Pro. A camera registers the size and position of the printed materials and adapts the cutting paths accordingly. 24
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Services EskoArtwork understands that even the best solutions cannot maximize their impact if they re not backed by outstanding support. How will I get started? The EskoArtwork Academy offers on-site training, class room training and start up services. In the hardware training program, experienced engineers help your technicians to familiarize themselves with EskoArtwork equipment. What if something goes wrong? Your business really depends on reliable customer services. To maximize uptime, it is essential that you can rely on fast and continuous support. Our experienced support staff helps you to resolve technical issues in the fastest possible way. Need tailor made expertise? EskoArtwork shares its valuable expertise to help you find ways to work smarter, quicker, and better. They will help you to implement and start up col or or screening solutions. Also we deliver the systems integration services to link your EskoArtwork workflow system. 26
Financing In need of a partner all the way? Investing in your future is not something you go about lightly. We stand by your side with all-in financing solutions for your hardware and software investments. EskoArtwork Finance offers a wide range of flexible financing solutions and allows freedom to choose the financing model that fits best. 27
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