Goss International to Present Web Offset Solution for Effective Production of Labels, Flexible Packaging and Folding Cartons at Labelexpo Europe

Exhibiting at Labelexpo Europe, Goss International will present the exciting possibilities of the Goss Sunday Vpak web offset press range for label, flexible packaging and folding carton applications on its stand (7L22), Sept. 24-27 at Brussels Expo in Belgium.

Building on 170 years of offset print technology leadership, Goss International introduced the Goss Sunday Vpak press range to address the fast-changing market demands for shorter runs, higher print quality, shorter lead times and lower costs.

Two versatile models – the Vpak 3000 and the Vpak 500 – together offer six standard web-widths from 521mm (44 inches) to 1905mm (75 inches) and feature quick-change sleeve technology and the award-winning Goss Sunday gapless blanket technology.

According to David Muncaster, director of EMEA business development for packaging at Goss International, the argument for using web offset in packaging becomes more compelling day by day.

“Consumer markets are looking for ever more variety from brands they know and trust, so the requirement to cost effectively produce more packaging variations in smaller quantities is a trend that will continue to build,” said Mr. Muncaster. “The rise of SKUs is one of the key drivers behind the growth of web offset in packaging today. Anyone who is finding their run lengths and lead times continually reducing and feeling increasingly squeezed on price should come and talk to us about web offset alternatives.”

Mr. Muncaster said that while there is much discussion of digital short runs, only a very small percentage of run lengths are dropping into the “micro run” range suitable for digital, and the vast majority of run lengths are much better suited to web offset production.

“The web offset ROI advantage versus flexo and gravure becomes evident when looking at the cost of plates and plate imaging, which becomes more critical as the number of image changes increases,” Mr. Muncaster explained. Goss will also highlight the cost advantages of web offset for fast job changeovers – including quick-change sleeve technology for efficient repeat length changes – exceptional control of presetting, inking and dampening, and the significantly lower purchase price of litho offset printing plates.

While the benefits of offset printing on board and paper are widely understood for sheetfed applications, Goss contends that a broad spectrum of production advantages offered by web offset are not yet fully appreciated. These include the ability to print the same premium quality as sheetfed, often in excess of double the output speeds, on less costly substrates and to finish in-line thus reducing work in progress and cutting lead-times.

In addition, with the ability to print unsupported films as fine as nine microns in thickness, Goss Sunday Vpak presses offer the same production versatility on flexible substrates and on non-flexible substrates. Consequently Vpak technology offers an ideal alternative to flexo and gravure for printing wraparound and in-mould labels, shrink sleeves and pouches. The Goss stand will feature a range of samples printed on a Vpak press to demonstrate these capabilities.

“We’re excited to be exhibiting at Labelexpo Europe for the first time,” concluded Mr. Muncaster. “This key European trade show gives us a perfect opportunity to showcase Sunday Vpak capabilities to brand owners and converters and to emphasize how this game-changing, web offset solution can meet their growing demands for higher print quality, lower costs, shorter runs and faster turn-around times.”

With the ability to print unsupported films as fine as nine microns, Goss Sunday Vpak technology offers an ideal alternative to flexo and gravure for printing wraparound and in-mould labels, shrink sleeves and pouches.