Label Expo 2019

Last week, I attended Label Expo in a short, whirlwind trip to Europe:

Guy Mikel at Label Expo

I’ve attended Label Expo many times, both in Europe in 2017.

And in the US in 2012, 2014, 2016 and 2018.

And I’ve already written about the Epson C6000 introduction at Label Expo and Pack Expo.

For me the most interesting aspect of this year’s Label Expo was the focus on Print On-Demand Color Flexible Packaging.  We launched this capability at WestPack last year:

However, food safe packaging was not available; but now it is.

Foil-Lined, On-Demand Color Flexible Packaging

Now we can get fully air/water proof packaging with the foil-lined material.  100% water and air tight; with no migration of the ink through the packaging.  I see this material as key to the growth of this new market.  Plus, this material seals well in both horizontal and vertical filling/sealing equipment as seen in the Afinia booth:

Vertical Filling/Sealing Flexible Packaging Equipment

On-Demand Color Flexible Packaging

The reason this equipment as in the Afinia booth as they launched new equipment for this market: a L901 with a lamentation station with a cost of approximately $30,000.

L901 with Lamination Station

Interesting enough, Trojan showed their new T2-L; made for this market as well.

T2-L with Lamination Station

Trojan was the first to demonstrate this new capability using the first of this new inkjet coated packaging material.  You may remember this video from last fall:

Both companies have added the lamination station to insure the ink does not transfer after printing from the front to the inside of the material during rewinding.  Once laminated, it is impossible for the ink to come into direct food contact.  If you would not want to laminate, it may be possible to print and feed the material directly into the filler/sealer unit by controlling the printer using the I/O interface on printers such as the T2-C:

T2-C I/O Interface

This new market excites me as the same drivers as the on-demand color label business.  Companies want to eliminate large quantities of preprinted flexible packaging; as well as add variable data or images to their products.  On-Demand Flexible Packaging makes this possible for the food and other industries.

Besides On-Demand Flexible Packaging, I discovered one other unique new product; from of all companies, Primera.  Primera launched the new printer/die cutter, the LX610.

Primera LX610 Print/Die-Cut

With this printer, you can print, then die cut labels in one pass:

X610 Print/Die Cut

Frankly, this printer is slow and the ink cost would appear to be relatively high.  Therefore, the LX610 would not fit production quantities.  However, I can imagine this printer working perfectly for prototypes and very limited production quantities.  The LX610 is not available for sale as of yet.

One other new color label printer I saw was the QL-850. 

QL-850 With Natura Ink

The QL-850 is an upgrade/fix of the previous printer, the QL-800.  This printer is interesting given it uses the more durable, Natura dye-based ink.  It’s a new generation of ink used in the T2-C.  Great print quality, interesting footprint/size.  But this printer is relatively expensive at $13,000 and uses ink cartridges and not tanks.  I’ll need to do some further testing to see how this printer performs; but very interesting option.

In addition to equipment, I saw two materials that were unique for the on-demand color label business.  First, inkjet coated Tyvek.

Inkjet Coated Tyvek

In the past, I’ve tried to print Tyvek; but it printed poorly and the ink smeared.  But this new inkjet coated material prints beautiful.  Tyvek doesn’t tear and is very soft; Perfect for apparel tags and wristbands.  And maybe even for durable rebar tags.

Second and in addition to the inkjet coated Tyvek, I saw behind the glass labels.  

Behind the Glass Labeling

My German friend has sold a lot of these labels into the Middle East to print variable data on automobile parking stickers. According to him, these labels do not fade quickly given the window stops much of the UV light.  Let me know if you have any interest/need for these types of labels.

Lastly, New Solution showed their new additions to the NS Multi:

NS Multi Deionizer Unit

I’ve written a lot about the NS Multi in the past: the best available print on-demand corrugated printer.

Introducing:  https://colorlabelsondemand.blogspot.com/2018/01/introducing-ns-multi.html

Launch:  https://colorlabelsondemand.blogspot.com/2018/02/westpack-2018-launch.html

Print Quality:  https://colorlabelsondemand.blogspot.com/2018/03/ns-multi-print-quality.html

New Materials: https://colorlabelsondemand.blogspot.com/2018/06/ns-multi-prints-new-materials.html

First, New Solution added a deionizer to remove particles from the corrugated (see above). This addition helps extend the life of the printheads and even the entire printer.  Second, New Solution added a larger vacuum to hold the material down better under the platen.

NS Multi Vacuum Pump

These two additions should make the NS Multi more productive and effective in printing corrugated on-demand.

I hope you find this summary of Label Expo 2019 of interest.  Contact us if you want to discuss any of these new capabilities further.

Guy Mikel

855-962-7670

info@colorlabelsolutions.com 

New C6000 Series

On Monday September 23^rd, 2019 in Las Vegas at Pack Expo:

Epson C6000 Launch at Pack Expo

 and Tuesday September 24^th, 2019 in Brussels at Label Expo Europe:

Epson C6000 Launch at Label Expo Europe:

Epson launched a new series of 4, on-demand color label printers to their ColorWorks lineup; The C6000A (4” version with Automated Cutter), C6000P (4” version with Peel/Present), C6500A (8” version with Automated Cutter), and C6500P (8” version with Peel/Present).  Read the Epson press release here:

Epson Press Release:

https://news.epson.com/news/colorworks-c6000-series-color-label-printers
Learn more here on the Color Label Solutions page:
https://colorlabelsolutions.com/epson-c6000-and-c6500-color-inkjet-label-printers/ 

Epson page:

https://epson.com/colorworks-c6000-desktop-label-printers

According to Epson, the C6000 series are the first color label printers designed to replace black-only thermal transfer printers. Epson American has dubbed them, “The Tough Guys”.

Epson C6500P

Having worked with these printers briefly, I see the following capabilities that make the C6000 series great new additions to the on-demand color labeling world.

First, the C6000 series offers up to 1200 x 1200 dpi resolution; providing high resolution, print output comparable to preprinted labels.  Higher print quality has been one of the missing elements from earlier printers, especially in the wider print widths.

Second, Epson has decided to offer the C6000 series at a very affordable price; under $4,000.  From $2,580 for the C6000A to $3,980 for the C6500P (all preliminary pricing).  With an 8” wide version at this price, we see a real fit with many of our customers.

Third, the C6000P and C6500P come with a Peel and Present capability, making labeling easier to do for operators. Now, operators can send a large batch print job; and then pull each label from the printer already peeled.  No other color label printer offers this capability.  Watch the Peel/Present function here:

Fourth, the C6000 offers Remote Printer Management, enabling organizations to manage fleets of printers.  Checking consumable status, updating firmware, confirming errors, etc. is possible from a central location using the C6000 series of printers.  No other color label printer offers this capability.

Fifth, the C6000 enables integration with ZPL (Zebra Print Language).  This capability enables organizations to use the C6000 as a “Plug & Play” option for applications normally reserved for thermal transfer printers.  Users can upload images that would normally be preprinted; and then send the same ZPL to print colorized labels on demand.  Learn more about how I did this process using the C7500:

https://colorlabelsondemand.blogspot.com/2018/05/zpl-with-c7500.html.

Further, the C6000 series integrates with SAP “out-of-the-box”.

Sixth, the C6000 offers I/O capabilities to enable integration into automated workflows.  Now, automated label applicators can be built to integrate these color label printers; especially with the “First Out”, Peel and Present capability in the C6000P and C6500P.  No other color label printers offer this combined capability.

Together, the third, fourth, fifth and sixth capability discussed here make the C6000 series a good option for thermal transfer printers; especially thermal transfer users with a large number of preprinted labels in inventory.  These customers can print labels on-demand versus keeping them in inventory.  According to Victor Gomez, Group Product Manager for Color Labels at Epson, “the ink costs of printing labels with the C6000 are less than or only slightly more than using a thermal transfer ribbon; especially after the increase in resin prices.”

According to Andy Scherz, senior product manager, Commercial Label Printers, Epson America, Inc. “The new family of ColorWorks on-demand label printers provides an easy transition for customers looking to make the switch from black-only, thermal transfer printers, with similar media handling capabilities, speed, features, and connectivity options.”  With the launch of the C6000 series, thermal transfer users should consider moving to these new, on-demand color label printers.

Seventh, the C6000 printers now come with both MAC and Linux print drivers.  Over the past several years, a MAC driver has been a very frequent request.  Many graphic designers use MAC’s; and now they can print labels directly from their MAC Books.

Eighth, the C6000 offer “Spot Color Replacement” option.  Now in the C6000 driver, operators can easily change the RGB color without changing the original artwork.  Further, advance users will be able to upload ICC Color Profiles.  ICC Color Profile is a set of data that characterizes a color input or output device, or a color space, according to standards promulgated by the International Color Consortium (ICC).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ICC_profile

No other desktop or benchtop color label printers offers this capability.

Ninth, the C6000 series comes with the same durability and reliability seen with both the C3500 and C7500 printers.  Further, Epson service offers both Spare in the Air (SITA) and On-Site warranty; making these printers easier to use and to keep running. 

LX2000 Color Label Printer

Combining the points one, seven, eight and nine make the C6000 series a great alternative to the LX900, LX910, LX1000, and the LX2000 from Primera.  In the past, Primera printer’s higher print quality has made them a good option; even with their higher ink costs.  Read my earlier comparison of the C7500 to the LX2000 here:  https://colorlabelsondemand.blogspot.com/2017/09/lx2000-vs-c7500.html

LX900 Color Label Printer

Also, ink costs for the new C6000 printers are lower than Primera printers.  According to Jacob Kalleris, Product Manager for Epson Europe, “Current Primera customers will save a significant amount of money for ink by moving to the new C6000 printers.”

In addition to alternatives to thermal transfer and Primera printers, the C6000 series printers offer users of other label printers a good option.  The most obvious replacement target for the C6000 are users of the C831 printer.

C831 Color Label Printer

The C831 has performed well for chemical manufacturers to produce GHS labels.  Now the new C6500 (P or A depending on the requirement for peel and present), makes printing GHS easier to do (i.e. clearing any potential jams) and produces higher resolution print quality.  Plus, users will save money on their labels as the C6500 doesn’t require pin-feed media.    Moving to the C6500 from the C831 should be an easy decision for most users.

C3500 Color Label Printer

Besides the C831, certain users of the C3500 should consider upgrading to the C6000P.  The C6000P will offer higher print quality, peel & present and Fleet Management capability.  With these three advantages, many C3500 printer users should upgrade to the C6000.

Overall, the new C6000 and C6500 label printers offer users several very key benefits.  If you currently use the C831 printer, a C3500 printer, one of the Primera desktop printers (LX900, LX910, LX1000, and the LX2000) or a thermal transfer printer who wants to colorize their print output, consider upgrading to one of the new C6000 printers.  Epson says we can begin shipping the C6000 printers by January.  Watch our store for when we start taking orders for the C6000 printers:

https://colorlabelsolutions.com/product/epson-colorworks-c6000-color-inkjet-label-printer/

https://colorlabelsolutions.com/product/epson-colorworks-c6500-color-inkjet-label-printer/

Shortly, we will receive a demo C6000 printer; therefore, look for more testing commentary from us.

If you are interested in learning more about the C6000 printer for your operation, contact us.  We look forward to working with you to see how these exciting new color label printers fit your operation.

Guy Mikel

855-962-7670

info@colorlabelsolutions.com 

LT5C Full-Bleed

Printing full-bleed labels can be difficult; especially with a newly launched printer.  The LT5C is a LED/Laser printer designed specifically for desktop label printing. It is capable of printing full bleed labels by following some easy steps.

LT5C

I’ve written about the LT5C/QL-300 in the past.  This article features the key benefits of the LT5C, printing foils and other interesting label media; and printing using white.

And this post covering designing with white:

The most important aspect for full-bleed label printing, even with the LT5C, starts with the artwork.  You need to create artwork slightly larger than the actual label. Generally, we recommend using artwork that is .03” larger than the actual label. For example, use a 3.03” x 4.03” artwork for a 3” x 4” label.

Full-Bleed Label Artwork

With this type of design as a PDF, you can print at the actual size in Adobe Reader.

QL-300 Full-Bleed PDF Printing

Starting with the correct artwork makes full-bleed label printing easier to do.

With the LT5C, three other aspects are important for full-bleed printing; two are different and one is similar to other printers.  First, the LT5C requires the matrix left-on the labels.  Label matrix is the waste material that is typically pulled off from die-cut labels. Here is the matrix surrounding the label.

Matrix-On Label

And the label partially removed to show just the remaining matrix:

Label Removed To Show Matrix

Matrix On is required because the toner on the liner does not get fused and may eventually cause problems in the fuser. Matrix On allows for overprinting and keeps the fuser clean. 

I’ve written about leaving the matrix on in the past.

Second, the LT5C requires an extra or larger gap between and around labels.  Most die cut labels have a .125” gap between labels with a .0625” exposed liner on both sides.  With the LT5C, the gap needs to be .375” and approximately .1875” on both sides of the label.  You can see this extra space/matrix in the above picture. This extra space ensures the toner does not get into the paper path, reducing print quality and potentially damaging the fuser/printer.

Third, the .125” blackmark needs to be placed halfway between the labels; basically starting .125” after the previous label and ending .125” before the next label. You can see the blackmark easily with this clear label

Blackmark Through Clear Film Label

With the correctly designed artwork, matrix on and the larger gaps, you can print beautiful full bleed labels with the LT5C. 

Full-Bleed Printed Using Clear Film Label

After printing, you may need to move the image around the template for perfect placement on the label.  For full-bleed printing, expect you’ll need to adjust the “paper print adjustment” to move image on the label.  With the LT5C driver, it’s easy to adjust the position of the printed image:

And changes in the position adjustment direction show up in the label image to the right; which is a very helpful feature.

I’ve written about adjusting the printed image on the template for theL801 in the past.

With the matrix on, you may need to remove it prior to any automatic label application.  Applicators will not work with the matrix on.  To remove the matrix, the LT5C has an accessory to pull this waste material off the liner.

LT5C Matrix Remover

This matrix remover works similar to the accessory featured in this earlier post.

The LT5C produces beautiful labels on a large variety of materials; and can print white.  It’s a very unique label printer and maybe perfect for your operation.  Following these technics, you can print full-bleed, producing great-looking labels.  Contact us if you have questions about the LT5C.

Guy Mikel

855-962-7670

info@colorlabelsolutions.com