The May 2022 edition of the GravurExchange
Your source for news for the Gravure Industry!
We Speak Gravure!
The deadline has been extended to June 24.
Show us what you got! This is your opportunity to show the gravure community your creativity and ingenuity in what can be produced using the gravure process. 2022 Golden Cylinder Awards entries are being received. There are four primary award categories with sub-categories that reflect the best execution of the Gravure-printing process and supporting innovations giving 35 categories. All entries need to represent work performed from June 1, 2021, to May 31, 2022.
To learn more and see past winners: https://gaa.org/awards/golden-cylinder-awards/
To download the entry form, go to GAA-Golden-Cylinder-Awards-2022-Form-EXTENDED-Rev-B.pdf
The GCAs are sponsored by the GAA Gravure AIMCAL Alliance Committee and ACiMGA, Italian Manufacturers Assn. of Machinery for the Graphic, Converting and Paper Industry, thus making the awards a truly international competition.
We need your help! The annual R2R USA technical conference is in its planning stage, and your input is needed. AIMCAL R2R USA Conference on September 26-29 in Orlando FL. R2R USA is a multi-track conference giving the Gravure AIMCAL Alliance Committee an opportunity to provide technical and timely information to its members. The GAA Committee has formed a R2R sub-committee to select topics and speakers for the Gravure Track at R2R USA. If you have a topic or idea, please contact Tony Donato at tdonato@gaa.org
It’s time to nominate your colleagues or those you consider the people who have helped advanced the knowledge of the Gravure industry to the Cylinder Society Class of 2022. Cylinder Society Chair Hubert Metzger took the stage in Charlotte (NC) at the AIMCAL Executive Leadership Conference to address the importance and relevance of the Cylinder Society. “The Cylinder Society is a way for those who are helping to advance the Gravure process and association to be recognized,” Hubert says.
Nominations for the Class of 2022 must be received no later than August 26, 2022. See the list of Cylinder Society members at Cylinder Society Members – GAA. The nomination form is available for download: GRAVURE CYLINDER SOCIETY (gaa.org)
The 2021 inductees have been notified; they and the 2022 inductees will be pinned at the 2022 R2R USA Conference (aimcal.org).
How do we attract students to consider Graphics-related careers? Do a “Show & Tell!”
On May 6 on the Harper Campus at Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte (NC), a career “exploration and awareness” event was held for a group of Olympic High School Business Academy students. The students were mostly sophomores and juniors with a couple seniors, who were unaware of the career possibilities in Graphic Communications. The “Show” program was organized for the students to see and touch prepress, flexo platemaking, press operation, ink formulation, and screen printing. Each student printed their own two-sided T-shirt. In addition to the “Show” portion of the program, a “Tell” portion had young professionals from printing companies sharing why they chose our industry and described the available careers and how to get started.
Thanks to the individuals of the organizations, associations and companies who helped to make the event happen: AIMCAL, CPCC Harper Campus, Clemson University, Flint Group (Poteet Ink Systems), Harper Corporation of America, ID Images, JR. Cole Industries, Imagine Charlotte, Olympic High School, PICA (Print industries of the Carolinas), Phoenix Challenge Foundation, SGS (Southern Graphic Systems), Tri-Blends.
What’s on the Minds of our Members: by Tony D.
“Management of Change”! During the Gravure Track R2R USA Sub-Committee meeting last week, the majority of time was spent discussing all the challenges the COVID-related supply-change crisis has and is causing. Then add consumer-influenced sustainability concerns and John Edwards of Sun said that we are all dealing with the “Management of Change.” The reality check in making the needed delivery dates involves everyone from the printer and their customers combined with the suppliers making decisions in an ever-changing environment. One discussion was around who has the APR (Association of Plastic Recyclers) Guidelines on what paper labels can be on a plastic bottle with what inks and can then be recycled. It all comes down to contingency plans for the contingency plans. I do not have the answers, but in the words of Red Green (the onstage character of Canadian comic Steve Smith): “Remember. I’m pullin’ for ya–we’re all in this together.”
For Wisconsin printers:
“It’s “Time to Get Back Together” says the Wisconsin Print Industries Council
The council has scheduled a meeting that will address critical environmental, health & safety, and sustainability updates. The program, “Changing Regulatory Landscape Workshop for the Printing Industry,” will feature speakers from industry, the US Dept. of Agriculture, and the WI Dept. of Natural Resources. The program will be held June 22, 2022, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. CDT at Waukesha County Technical College.
More information including registration: https://glga.info/registration/changing-regulatory-landscape-workshop-for-the-printing-industry/
This month’s featured article: Why Brand Owners have endorsed color management by using CxF (Color Exchange Format) data
By Rachel Malley, Product & Application Specialist for CGS ORIS AMERICAS
Printers, let’s talk color…
Your customers have invested in their brand identity, and they recognize that customer loyalty is strengthened by pleasing and consistent branding across all platforms. After carefully selecting colors and imagery for their products, companies put their packaging and printed material into your professional hands. With the supply-chain crisis affecting accessible material, substitutions are the new normal, and print jobs are often shared between various print shops and technology to meet delivery dates. So, how do you ensure that your printed materials reproduce consistently to the specifications of the brand owner?
Color is often defined with a physical swatch or a Pantone value. Both methods have associated risks, such as damage to the original sample, referencing different editions of swatch books, or even poor viewing & measurement conditions. Digital communication of color expectations is one major way to save time, money, and stress throughout production. Brands of all sizes across the globe are embracing the latest standard for communicating brand colors – Color Exchange Format, or CxF.
CxF is a non-proprietary, standard method for digitally communicating all aspects of an individual color. At the heart of CxF data is spectral information, which numerically defines exactly how color measures to a spectrophotometer. Objectively defining color eliminates a wide variety of factors that we currently encounter in print color management.
In addition to spectral data, a CxF file can contain a variety of other information including name, substrate, measurement condition, opacity, tints, and much more. All this information is embedded into one little file for easy transportation to various vendors.
For a moment, let’s assume you’ve done step one and created CxF data defining your colors. What comes next? Where is this information used? This powerful data can first be used in design and prepress. Once embedded into a PDF, a single file can be sent to proofing to produce improved overprint & tint reproduction. Once approved, the data is supplied to the ink lab to generate the perfect formulation. This formulation is specific to the desired substrate and print technology and optimized for metamerism*. The approved ink is then sent to production. At each of these steps, certification is performed to ensure accuracy to the original definition and brand tolerances.
With proper tools and training in place throughout the workflow, brands can implement CxF technology and feel confident that the highest-quality print production is entering the world, all without needing to travel on-site to have eyes on press.
CxF is a powerful tool already being used across the globe by top brands and suppliers. Once implemented, CxF can simplify your production process and ensure clear communication of expectations across the entire workflow.
*Metamerism defines the phenomenon that occurs when two samples appear to closely match under one lighting condition but look different under another.
To learn more about CxF, contact rachel@cgsoris.com, https://www.cgsoris.com/products/cxf-tools/
GAA-Committee Gravure Basics Webinar on May 10-11
“Was a Great Success!”
The GAA-Committee wants to thank Mark Glendenning of Inland Packaging; Prof. D’Amico of RIT; Felice Sciscioli of Sun Chemical; J.D. Harris of Point 3, Inc.; Mike Gaffney of GAA-Committee; Bill Warner of Allison Systems; Dan Comerford of WRE Color Tech; Rod Sosa of Fres-co Systems; Kevin McNally of Bobst; Allan MacKinlay of i2M; Ernest Schneider of BST NA; and Joe Steingraeber of Steingraeber LLC for being presenters and sharing their expertise and experiences during the May 10-11 “Gravure Basics” AIMCAL Webinar.
For those who could not attend, the presentations were recorded, and AIMCAL will be offering a self-paced online course. Interested? Email to gaa@aimcal.org, subject line “Gravure Basics.”
Converting Quarterly, the official technical journal of AIMCAL, is a great source of information and current news from members and the industry. Go to https://www.convertingquarterly.com/ to subscribe to the quarterly print magazine, the digital edition, the weekly CQ eNews…or all three.
For all the news you may have missed, go to Archived News (aimcal.org)
Save the date! Live four-day intensive Gravure Training is back. On August 8-11, 2022, trainers and experts will be at Interprint in Pittsfield, MA, which will host the “Gravure Basic and Advances Seminars.” More information to come soon!
“Ask the Gravure Experts” is a feature where members from the GAA Committee review your questions and reply directly to you, publishing the Q&A in the next issue of GravurExchange. One of the important benefits of being part of an association is the ability to network with members, and the “Ask the Gravure Experts” provides the opportunity to all readers of GravurExchange to collaborate. Send your question, subject line: “Gravure Experts” to info@gaa.org
If you are looking for new employees or are looking for employment, we encourage you to use the new resources on the AIMCAL website: (Jobs (aimcal.org). Members may post jobs at NO CHARGE. We invite you to see how easy it is to post jobs online today. To maximize your job posting, you should also post on the GAA website at Job Openings | Gravure Association of Americans (gaa.org)
Thanks to all who have renewed their membership. The following link will help all to understand how to make use of the valuable benefits available from being a member of AIMCAL. Video Walk Through of Login Process + Member Resources.
University and College Gravure Day: This program helps students understand all the industry segments that use the Gravure process and provides awareness of all the careers in printing and converting. Interested in holding a “Gravure Day?” Email info@gaa.org, subject line: “Gravure Day.”
GAA Services, Training and Products:
On-site Training/On-site Consulting:
Bob Kikkert and Mike Gaffney are ready to help with on-site and/or hybrid virtual training and consulting. Those in need of these services, please contact info@gaa.org using subject line: “Consultant Services.”
The Gravure Textbook Sale Continues:
We continue to receive orders for the Gravure Process and Technology and the Gravure Specifications and Tolerances (GST) textbooks. They can be purchased at Shop (www.aimcal.org)
Gravure Certification:
Members continue to use the online gravure training program. There are four levels of Certification training. Information and registration for all four levels are available at https://gaa.org/services/training/online-gravure-certification-training/. Special Member pricing has been established for the certifications. For pricing and to register, email info@gaa.org and use subject line: “Certification.”
Want to become a member?
Anyone interested in having their company become a member of this dynamic association of companies that are promoting the gravure process, please go to: Become a Member | AIMCAL
Questions? Contact AIMCAL Member Outreach Director Tim Janes at tim@aimcal.org