• Login
    • Join
  • Subscribe Free
    • Magazine
    • eNewsletter
    Checkout
    • Magazine
    • News
    • Exclusives
    • Labels & Packaging
    • Markets
    • Technology
    • Equipment
    • Supplies
    • Buyers' Guide
    • Events
    • Jobs
    • More
  • Magazine
  • News
  • Exclusives
  • Labels & Packaging
  • Markets
  • Technology
  • Equipment
  • Supplies
  • Buyers' Guide
  • Events
  • Jobs
  • Current / Back Issues
    Features
    Editorial
    Columns
    Digital Edition
    eNewsletter Archive
    Our Team
    Subscribe Now
    Advertise Now
    Top Features
    Sponsored Feature: LemuGroup innovates to address industry challenges

    Web Handling

    Cannabis Labels

    Film Innovation

    Narrow Web Profile: Vista Color Corp.
    Breaking News
    Converter News
    European Label News
    Industry News
    Industry People
    M&A News
    New Products
    Expert's Opinion
    Live From Shows
    Top News
    EFI appoints Frank Pennisi CEO, Fiery now an independent business

    Bobst boosts senior sales team with Keith Nagle

    Penmar Industries adds Screen Truepress Jet L350UV SAI digital press

    Josh Kiser joins ARC International's Technical Service Team

    Vetaphone strengthens management structure
    Blog
    Video Bites
    Beauty & Personal Care Labels
    Beer Labels
    Beverage Labels
    Flexible Packaging
    Folding Carton
    Food Labels
    Glue-Applied
    In-Mold
    Industrial Labels
    Medical Labels
    Pharmaceutical Labels
    Pressure Sensitive
    Prime Labels
    Promotional Labels
    Security Labels
    Shrink
    Smart Labels
    Specialty Labels
    Spirits Labels
    Wine Labels

    Penmar Industries adds Screen Truepress Jet L350UV SAI digital press

    Glenroy receives APR recognition for recyclable Standcap

    Fedrigoni Self-Adhesives brings new label products to Pharmapack Europe

    Toppan announces NFC tag label with paper-based antenna substrate

    Folding carton market poised for growth
    Africa
    Asia
    Australia
    China
    Europe
    India
    Latin America
    Middle East
    North America

    Labelexpo Southeast Asia 2023 approaches

    DTM Flexo Services representing GEW in Canada

    Fedrigoni Self-Adhesives brings new label products to Pharmapack Europe

    K Laser Technology showcasing Cold Foil Design Lab at open house

    Nazdar appoints inkjet field specialist
    Flexography
    Digital Printing
    Prepress
    Finishing
    Sustainability

    Penmar Industries adds Screen Truepress Jet L350UV SAI digital press

    Josh Kiser joins ARC International's Technical Service Team

    Glenroy receives APR recognition for recyclable Standcap

    Epson assists Canadian printer with numerous digital needs

    INX International Ink Co. emphasizes sustainability in new products
    Digital Printers & Presses
    Flexo Presses
    Label Converting Equipment
    Label Finishing Equipment
    Prepress Equipment

    Penmar Industries adds Screen Truepress Jet L350UV SAI digital press

    Vetaphone strengthens management structure

    Epson assists Canadian printer with numerous digital needs

    XSYS unveils best practices guide for washout solvents use

    Ease print workforce pressures with supplier partner support
    Dies And Tooling
    Flexo Supplies
    Ink & Coatings
    Prepress Supplies
    Pressrooom Supplies
    Substrates

    Josh Kiser joins ARC International's Technical Service Team

    INX International Ink Co. emphasizes sustainability in new products

    XSYS unveils best practices guide for washout solvents use

    Toppan announces NFC tag label with paper-based antenna substrate

    Hybrid Software unveils new versions of PACKZ and STEPZ
    All Companies
    Categories
    Company Profiles
    Label Converters
    Trade Associations
    Add New Company
    International Buyers Guide Companies
    Meech International

    Martin Automatic Inc.

    Wilson Manufacturing

    KTI

    D.P.R. Labeling LLC
    Industry Events
    Webinars
    Live from Show Events
    • Magazine
      • Current & Past Issues
      • Features
      • Editorial
      • Columns
      • Digital Edition
      • eNewsletter Archive
      • Subscribe Now
      • Advertise Now
    • Breaking News
    • Buyers' Guide
      • All Companies
      • Categories
      • Company Profiles
      • Label Converters
      • Trade Associations
      • Add Your Company
    • Labels & Packaging
      • Beauty & Personal Care Labels
      • Beer Labels
      • Beverage Labels
      • Flexible Packaging
      • Folding Carton
      • Food Labels
      • Glue-Applied
      • In-Mold
      • Industrial Labels
      • Medical Labels
      • Pharmaceuticals Labels
      • Pressure Sensitive
      • Prime Labels
      • Promotional Labels
      • Security Labels
      • Shrink
      • Smart Labels
      • Speciality Labels
      • Spirits Labels
      • Wine Tables
    • Markets
      • Africa
      • Asia
      • Australia
      • China
      • Europe
      • India
      • Latin America
      • Middle East
      • North America
    • Equipment
      • Digital Printers & Presses
      • Flexo Presses
      • Label Converting Equipment
      • Label Fishing Equipment
    • Supplies
      • Dies And Tooling
      • Flexo Supplies
      • Ink & Coatings
      • Prepress Supplies
      • Substrates
      • Pressrooom Supplies
    • Online Exclusives
    • Slideshows
    • Experts Opinions
    • Videos
    • Podcasts
    • Infographics
    • Blog
    • Whitepapers
    • Events
      • Industry Events
      • Live from Show Events
      • Webinars
    • Jobs
    • Resources
      • Supplier Gallery
      • Literature Showcase
      • Homepage Showcase
    • About Us
      • About Us
      • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms of Use
    Breaking News

    Dion Label improves prepress with Kodak

    According to John Dion, installing the FLEXCEL NX Ultra Solution has been "a game-changer."

    Dion Label improves prepress with Kodak
    Related CONTENT
    • Lemu Group Helps Customers Meet Surging Demands
    • Discover Achem Lamination
    • Arrow Inks
    • O Labels Software Technology by Industry
    • Kocher + Beck highlights GapMaster enhancements
    07.12.21
    A year after the Kodak FLEXCEL NX Ultra Solution went into production at Dion Label Printing, John Dion has a very positive verdict on the solvent- and VOC-free flexo plate making solution. “We’re wildly satisfied!”, says the co-president of the Westfield MA-based producer of custom high-quality labels and packaging. “We expected good things of the system, and it’s more than lived up its billing as a game-changer.”

    After John’s father, John Dion Sr, started the business in the cellar of the family home in 1969, Dion soon acquired a reputation for printing label jobs that were both complex and had to get to market fast. That philosophy hasn’t changed since, as general manager Randy Duhaime, one of the senior management team along with John and brother Dave Dion, explains: “Labels keep getting more and more complex — it’s almost like designers are trying to find colors we won’t be able to reproduce. But we always step up, because of our pride in producing the highest quality.”

    High-end pressure-sensitive labels account for around 80% of Dion’s design-to-dispatch production. The company also produces extended content labels for a wide variety of end-user applications, with over-the-counter (OTC) pharmaceuticals currently showing the fastest growth. Other markets include food and beverage, personal care, household products, medical and specialty printing. Production splits roughly 50/50 between flexo (water-based & UV) and digital.

    The FLEXCEL NX Ultra Solution is a solvent-free, VOC-free, water-based processing solution that allows printers to create a press-ready plate in less than an hour. Enabled by patented KODAK Ultra Clean Technology developed by the Miraclon team, the FLEXCEL NX Ultra Solution is the first aqueous solution that provides consistent, high-performing plates in a high-volume, low-maintenance environment.

    The story behind the arrival of the FLEXCEL NX Ultra Solution in June 2020 is one of patience and a degree of experimentation. Says John: “We’d been tracking the FLEXCEL NX technology for some time and had no doubts about the production and quality benefits, but we believed that solvent-free platemaking is the way forward and decided to wait for that solution.”

    The decision was helped by the results of trials of the alternatives, he continues. “We had a small solvent system, but it had limitations in terms of the fineness of screens and the consistency of screening from one end of the plate to another, particularly in highlight detail. So as jobs became more complex and difficult, we had to break some out and figure what we could do.

    “We also tried a thermal solution, but that had issues that we couldn’t overcome — specifically, the way the plates swelled when the UV inks warmed up, so we needed extra plates on long-run jobs. Plates also deteriorated between runs, which meant we had to make new sets for reorders. And an earlier experiment with water-based processing showed it was inadequate from a quality standpoint and suitable only for a subset of our work.”

    Brent Berthiaume, Dion’s prepress manager, is tasked with getting the most out of the FLEXCEL NX Ultra Solution, and he describes how the technology has impacted the company’s production. “With thermal, we were stuck using 133-150pli screens, largely due to the dot gain. If we went to 175lpi, on a long run we were into a second set of plates for almost every job. With FLEXCEL NX Ultra we’ve yet to make a single plate under 175lpi, and that includes running several 80,000-foot jobs on a single set of plates. That’s the number one biggest benefit — holding consistency throughout the run while producing high-quality linework. It’s an exponential improvement.”

    John Dion takes up the story. “Being able to maintain brand-compliant colors across multiple platforms is also a major benefit. Compare conventional flexo with digital output and you can usually see the difference. Now the colors hit the targets whatever the process. We have a parallel relationship between the two platforms, so if workload means we have to switch a job from one process to another we’re confident the results will be fine.”

    Commenting on the KODAK NX Advantage Patterning technology, John talks of the “miracle of FLEXCEL NX Ultra in the way it solves the flexo conundrum of how to achieve strong color using pigments that are not as intense— reds and greens, for example. Normally you have to lay down a thicker ink film, which means the quality deteriorates, especially in screens. So we’d have to break out screens from solids to achieve the right results.

    “That’s no longer the case, because NX Advantage Patterning allows greater efficiency, enabling improved ink laydown and transfer to the substrate at a higher concentration, while still combining screens. We’re also able to use smaller-volume aniloxes on a larger number of jobs and achieve our objectives — controlling dot gain, maintaining color consistency throughout the run, and so on. We can also increase the white opacity with one hit — it previously took two.

    “I find this quite remarkable — my wildest dream, looking back 20 years, has been to be able to do what we’re doing today.”


     
    Suggested For You
    Lemu Group Helps Customers Meet Surging Demands Lemu Group Helps Customers Meet Surging Demands
    Discover Achem Lamination Discover Achem Lamination
    Arrow Inks Arrow Inks
    O Labels     Software Technology by Industry O Labels Software Technology by Industry
    Kocher + Beck highlights GapMaster enhancements Kocher + Beck highlights GapMaster enhancements
    GraphTech Ltd. GraphTech Ltd.
    Global Graphics touts SmartDFE Global Graphics touts SmartDFE
    Fujifilm, Edale find success with flexographic showroom Fujifilm, Edale find success with flexographic showroom
    Fujifilm forecasts bright future for labels Fujifilm forecasts bright future for labels
    Fujifilm responds to label and packaging growth with versatile portfolio Fujifilm responds to label and packaging growth with versatile portfolio
    Archroma launches online regulatory and compliance platform Archroma launches online regulatory and compliance platform
    Toray Plastics (America) delivering clean energy to Rhode Island Toray Plastics (America) delivering clean energy to Rhode Island
    Michelman preparing for 10th Annual Global Day of Service Michelman preparing for 10th Annual Global Day of Service
    Flint Group Narrow Web introduces ‘Evolution Series’ of coating products Flint Group Narrow Web introduces ‘Evolution Series’ of coating products
    NanoGrafix engineers new solutions for security printing NanoGrafix engineers new solutions for security printing

    Related Sponsored Content

    • Lemu Group Helps Customers Meet Surging Demands

      Lemu Group Helps Customers Meet Surging Demands

      The industry leader in the manufacture of technologically advanced end of line packaging automation specific to the roll label and POS industry.

    • Discover Achem Lamination

      Discover Achem Lamination

      ...

    • Arrow Inks

      Arrow Inks

      ...
      Mike Mitchell, President 05.11.22


    • O Labels Software Technology by Industry

      ...
      Sebastian Morrison, Manager 04.27.22

    • Kocher + Beck highlights GapMaster enhancements

      Kocher + Beck highlights GapMaster enhancements

      In an interview with L&NW, David Morris explains how his company's latest technology gives the operator full control of the diecutting process.
      Greg Hrinya, Editor

    Loading, Please Wait..

    Trending
    • CCL Mourns Passing Of Alan Horn
    • Baldwin Expands Product Portfolio To Better Serve Label Market
    • Avery Dennison Set To Acquire Thermopatch
    • StarPak Benefits From Hamillroad Software's Bellissima DMS Technology
    • Lauterbach Group Drives Business With Increased Collaboration
    Breaking News
    • EFI appoints Frank Pennisi CEO, Fiery now an independent business
    • Bobst boosts senior sales team with Keith Nagle
    • Penmar Industries adds Screen Truepress Jet L350UV SAI digital press
    • Josh Kiser joins ARC International's Technical Service Team
    • Vetaphone strengthens management structure
    View Breaking News >
    CURRENT ISSUE

    January/February 2023

    • Sponsored Feature: LemuGroup innovates to address industry chall
    • Web Handling
    • Cannabis Labels
    • Film Innovation
    • Narrow Web Profile: Vista Color Corp.
    • View More >

    Cookies help us to provide you with an excellent service. By using our website, you declare yourself in agreement with our use of cookies.
    You can obtain detailed information about the use of cookies on our website by clicking on "More information”.

    • About Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms And Conditions
    • Contact Us

    follow us

    Subscribe
    Nutraceuticals World

    Latest Breaking News From Nutraceuticals World

    Vitamin D Supplementation Reduces Risk of Dynapenia
    Sustained-Release Caffeine Ingredient Offers Mood, Performance Benefits
    Multi-Strain Probiotic Improves Self-Reported Mood, Sleep, Serotonin Levels
    Coatings World

    Latest Breaking News From Coatings World

    Epoxytec Announces New Website Launch
    Paints and Coatings Market Worth $212B by 2026: MarketsandMarkets
    Axalta Releases Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2022 Results
    Medical Product Outsourcing

    Latest Breaking News From Medical Product Outsourcing

    BMP Medical Expands Sterling, Massachusetts Facility
    Abbott's Proclaim XR SCS OK'ed for Diabetic Neuropathy
    Environmental Sustainability Becoming Increasingly Important to Medtech Industry
    Contract Pharma

    Latest Breaking News From Contract Pharma

    Pasithea Signs CMC Development and Manufacturing Agreement
    Experic Expands Analytical Capabilities and Facilities
    List Labs Expands Manufacturing Capacity
    Beauty Packaging

    Latest Breaking News From Beauty Packaging

    Haircare Brand Uncle Funky’s Daughter Announces Retail Expansion
    TRESemmé Introduces New Pro Infusion Collection
    Walgreens Boots Alliance Shares 2022 ESG Report
    Happi

    Latest Breaking News From Happi

    KimChi Beauty Launches Spinning Hearts Love 02 Ahead of Valentine’s Day
    Dark & Lovely Names Actress Meagan Good Brand Ambassador
    Natural Household Care Company Tru Earth Adds Dishwasher Detergent Tablets
    Ink World

    Latest Breaking News From Ink World

    Xerox Releases 4Q, Full-Year 2022 Results
    Electronics For Imaging Names Frank Pennisi as CEO
    Fiery to Separate from EFI, Remain Wholly-Owned by Siris
    Label & Narrow Web

    Latest Breaking News From Label & Narrow Web

    EFI appoints Frank Pennisi CEO, Fiery now an independent business
    Bobst boosts senior sales team with Keith Nagle
    Penmar Industries adds Screen Truepress Jet L350UV SAI digital press
    Nonwovens Industry

    Latest Breaking News From Nonwovens Industry

    Essity’s Sales Grow
    Thinx to Pay up to $5 million to Settle Class Action Suit
    Typar Highlighting New Building Innovations
    Orthopedic Design & Technology

    Latest Breaking News From Orthopedic Design & Technology

    Orthofix Launches the Mariner Deformity System
    Tyber Medical Hires 2 New Execs
    Miach Ortho Raises $40M in Series B Funding
    Printed Electronics Now

    Latest Breaking News From Printed Electronics Now

    Smart Devices with Privacy Focus Have More Consumer Appeal
    Siman Group Partners with SML to Unlock Full Retail Potential with RFID
    Brewer Science Presents Optics Integration Solutions at SPIE Photonics West

    Copyright © 2023 Rodman Media. All rights reserved. Use of this constitutes acceptance of our privacy policy The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Rodman Media.

    AD BLOCKER DETECTED

    Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors.
    Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker.


    FREE SUBSCRIPTION Already a subscriber? Login