Editorial

  • ‘This has all been wonderful…’

    In putting together this issue’s Editorial, I keep hearing in my head the song “Down With Disease,” by my favorite band, Phish. (Yes, they’ve surpassed the Grateful Dead in my personal rock music pantheon.) The song’s ch…
    Steve Katz, Editor 01.31.20

  • Reefer madness

    In 1936, the movie “Reefer Madness” was released. Largely considered a propaganda film, the plotline chronicled its main character’s descent into madness due to his marijuana addiction. After being “rediscovered” in the…
    Steve Katz, Editor 11.15.19

  • An industry to watch

    While strolling through the halls of the Brussels Expo Center, it is amazing just how many cutting-edge technologies are making their way to the market. Labelexpo Europe 2019 featured a host of new products, ranging from digital UV inkjet presses to…
    Greg Hrinya, Associate Editor 10.11.19

  • A different look and feel

    The year’s biggest label show has finally arrived. Companies large and small will arrive in Brussels to showcase their latest products at Labelexpo Europe, which takes place September 24-27. Digital inkjet printing will play a prominent role, a…
    Greg Hrinya, Associate Editor 09.06.19

  • It begins

    I love how the working world collectively unwinds over the summer months. And I’m especially envious of how the Europeans do it. We North Americans should emulate what they do across the pond when it comes to “taking a holiday.” It…
    Steve Katz, Editor 07.10.19

  • Open season

    There’s a new trend being embraced by label industry suppliers. The concept itself isn’t new, but what is new is the current proliferation. What I’m talking about is what I’ll call the “Open House Event Trade Show Users…
    Steve Katz, Editor 05.31.19

  • Relationships

    There’s an old saying, “It’s not what you know it’s who you know,” and it certainly rings true in the label industry. Having strong relationships is of paramount importance, up and down the supply chain. From your emp…
    Steve Katz, Editor 04.05.19

  • Heating up

    There is something special about the month of March. Here’s a fun fact: Did you know that once upon a time March was the first month of the year? In the oldest Roman calendars, one year was ten months long, beginning in March and ending in Dece…
    Steve Katz, Editor 03.14.19

  • Integrity Matters

    I love getting feedback from L&NW readers.  As the editor of this publication, what you have to say is one of the more valuable tools at my disposal that I use when planning content for both the short and long term. And in today’s onli…
    Steve Katz, Editor 02.01.19

  • Let’s toast

    I hope you’re ready, because there’s a lot going in this final issue of the year. There is so much to discuss I don’t know where to begin, so I’ll start with how I normally end these “letters from the editor,” with…
    Steve Katz, Editor 11.16.18

  • How was the show?

    I’m asking about Labelexpo, of course, although some folks extended their visit to Chicagoland in order to attend and exhibit at Print 18.  I can only imagine how exhausted these people were after back-to-back busy trade shows. To me, L…
    Steve Katz, Editor 10.12.18

  • Common thread

    Take a look at our Industry News section and notice what the several label company M&A stories have in common. There’s a consistent thread among the acquisitions for Resource Label Group, Inovar Packaging and Fortis Solutions Group –…
    Steve Katz, Editor 09.10.18

  • Getting Smart

    Forgive the hyberbole, but it seems our industry’s press OEMs are in something of an “arms race” when it comes to digital press development and launches. In particular, I’m seeing a specific focus on the entry-level press targ…
    Steve Katz, Editor 07.13.18

  • Independence

    Often in this space I refer to the many travels and adventures I embark on in the name of labels and narrow web printing. Spring has become our busiest time of year, as there are multiple events back-to-back-to-back. It seems our Associate Editor Gre…
    Steve Katz, Editor 05.25.18

  • Something Different

    I’ve been around this industry for a good 10 years. One of the perks of my job is to get on the road and visit different types of companies in different parts of the world. During my tenure, I’ve traveled extensively, from Israel and Indo…
    04.09.18

  • Back to the future

    For this issue’s flexo-focused feature, I ran out of room for a section on the “future of flexo.” I’d asked those whom I interviewed, “What does the future hold for flexo in general?” In addition to that question,…
    Steve Katz, Editor 03.09.18

  • The Need For Speed

    Those not familiar with the ins and outs of the label converting industry don’t realize how exciting it is. I know, because I was one of those people. The reality is, it’s a great business niche to cover because things are really changing…
    01.26.18

  • Synchronicity

    This issue was a lot of fun to put together. Don’t get me wrong – it was a ton a work – but I enjoyed how everything seemed to fall into place, at just the right time, even while putting the finishing touches on it at the so-called…
    Steve Katz, Editor 11.17.17

  • Sneak Peak

    You might find it curious that this issue is light on Labelexpo Europe coverage. I agree – it sure is. But I’ll let you in on a little secret – I’m writing this issue’s editorial from the Brussels Expo. In the world of p…
    Steve Katz, Editor 10.06.17

  • Worlds Collide

    Worlds collide in this issue of L&NW. This is the month where Labelexpo takes over the industry, when suppliers and converters converge in Brussels. Of course, suppliers and converters get together daily in the course of doing business, but Label…
    Steve Katz, Editor 09.11.17