Mark Andy has announced an educational, hands-on seminar at its global headquarters in St. Louis, MO on May 21, 2019. The event, "Shrinking to Expand: A Hands-On Workshop to Grow Your Business Through Shrink Sleeves," will bring together the leading industry suppliers to provide the necessary insight converters need to identify a clear path to expanding business with shrink sleeves.

The demand for shrink sleeves has incrementally increased in recent years, with the application accounting for approximately 18% of all label production, according to Alexander Watson Associates – who will be in attendance at the event. As a result, the seminar serves as Mark Andy's official unveiling of its proprietary and industry recipe for true digital hybrid shrink sleeve production to support the need for more profitable and productive shrink runs. This is one of the newest application additions to the Digital Series HD's production wheelhouse and re-emphasizes Mark Andy's understanding of the label market and client requirements in digital.

In addition to workflow demonstrations on the digital hybrid press, sleeves will be printed on the Performance Series P7E flexo press.

Converters will also have the opportunity to directly learn about the shrink market segment. From front-end solutions to the seaming process and beyond, attendees will have the ability to physically see how they can maximize their book of business through shrink as the application continues to see a steady annual growth rate of over 5%.

Esko Studio software and tools will show converters how to produce artwork suited for the distortion that is necessary with shrink application, while Siegwerk and Multi-Plastics representatives will provide insight to what is needed when distortion and heat are used to ensure a high-quality end product. Accraply equipment provides real-time seaming and shrink knowledge for a hands-on, end-to-end shrink application demonstration. Mark Andy Print Product representatives will be in on-site to consult attendees on the shrink workflow, including platemaking experts to guide converters on what type of plates are optimal for shrink applications, as well as the on-press consumables needed to result in the highest quality print.

Attendees will also gain knowledge from keynote speaker Corey Reardon from Alexander Watson Associates. AWA specializes in bringing the information needed to converters and brand owners to help eliminate any perceived barriers to entry in heat shrink application. Reardon serves as president and CEO of AWA, and has over 20 years of experience in the printing and converting trade. As an industry expert, he is an internationally respected speaker and a specialist in strategic planning in growing market segments, specifically educating converters on best ways to integrate shrink sleeves into their current workflow.

Joe Calmese, chief business officer- Mark Andy Digital, says, “Mark Andy is excited to bring converters who have expressed interest in shrink together with suppliers who have a vested interest in their success to learn and see first-hand that a new application is attainable. I’m personally thrilled with the team and the technology that we’ve put together, who can provide business owners a realistic path to printing shrink productively and profitably.”