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September 12, 2007 • Number 18
FEATURE: Pantone's Goe System Presents New Color System Built from the Paper UpThe PANTONE® PMS color chip has been called the smallest contract in the world. Users agree on a color and the PANTONE chip is the proof of that agreement and the assurance that the agreed-upon color will be reproduced accurately. The number of these contracts just grew by 2,058 with the Goe™ System from Pantone Inc., announced on September 8 at Graph Expo and targeted for release on October 1.
Pantone has a unique perspective on the design and printing marketplace, having been the world's color authority for 45 years. In preparing the Goe System for release, Pantone went into the field to discover the new priorities of suppliers, printers, and designers, and what an ideal color system might look like. They refined the system until suppliers and printers validated the new approach whole-heartedly.
Over the years, the original Pantone PMS (PANTONE Matching System) Color Guide had grown in steps from 500 colors to 1114 colors built from 14 base colors. As it grew, the guide became disorganized, and there was not a consistent logic to the numbers. The new Goe System does more with less, using 10 base inks to produce 2,058 colors, and the Goe Guide is organized logically. Pantone believes there is no reason the two guides cannot work side-by-side forever, aided by Goe's new numbering system.
Satisfying a need
In recent years, the Pantone company has been bolstered by a number of different industries, including plastics, fabric, and paint. The company has a service-oriented attitude, always trying to modify products to enthuse their customers. They designed the Goe System to inspire creativity and to keep pace with the fast-changing design and printing industries that serve increasingly global and multimedia end-users. "We think this is going to set the industry on a new path," says Doris Brown, vice president of marketing for Pantone.
For the Goe System development, Pantone looked at all aspects of color reproduction today—processes, equipment, workflows, etc.—as well as how printing related to the newest media of web-based software and digital video.
Suppliers and printers told Pantone that consistent ink film is a priority in today's competitive market. Consistent film thickness saves money and time by making drying times equal and increasing control when matching color on press. Pantone responded by recalibrating every Goe color to print uniform ink film thicknesses while remaining compatible with aqueous or UV coatings. In addition, the 10 Mixing Bases, plus PANTONE Clear, are readily available anywhere in the world to ensure color consistency on a global basis while keeping ink inventory to a minimum.
Pantone is hoping for strong migration from existing customers, who will be pleased to learn that the fundamental way their guides look and work has not changed. If anything, the Goe Guide is easier to use, with larger color fields on whiter and lighter 100-lb. coated paper and six adhesive-backed samples per color.
Efficient software tools
The Goe System comes with efficient software tools that work at operating system level, sitting on top of open programs, and that is compatible with common design software in use today. The core functions of myPANTONE Palettes software are creating color palettes that can be imported into applications, shared among coworkers and clients, and archived for future reference.
Users can choose an individual color with the Color Picker hue circle or square hue gradient or by manually entering RGB or HTML values for known colors. The program snaps the color to the closest PANTONE Color. Of course, one can also choose PANTONE Palettes Colors directly from the various PANTONE Libraries.
Other options include an Eye-Dropper Tool, Color Blender, Color Schemes, and Image Palette Builder. The Color Blender forms a color gradient between two user-defined colors with up to 83 individual steps between them. Color Schemes selects colors according to color harmonies. The Image Palette Builder allows users to import an image and automatically generate a palette using the dominant colors within the image.
After selecting individual colors, users can drag and drop them within the myPalettes area to create a color palette. They also have the ability to view any saved palettes, print, export, organize, and lock palettes, as well as edit individual color properties. When communicating colors, users can utilize the myPalette reader to convey details of the palette and the usage of the colors, and any other details pertaining to the palette.
MORE PRINTING NEWS: Ciba® XYMARA Nordic™ Glass-Based Pigments Produce Natural Shades and EffectsCiba is launching a new range of novel glass-based effect pigments at the K 2007 in Düsseldorf. Suitable for a wide variety of applications, including packaging, household goods, and leisure items, Ciba XYMARA Nordic stylings reflect the natural shades and effects of frost, gold, heather, ocean, pine, and sunset. The versatile products provide novel styling options and allow the creation of unique new shades and designs, lending brilliance, sparkle and glitter, and increasing transparency or emphasizing opacity, as required.
"In today's competitive business world, a striking image and distinctive product branding are key success factors," says Marc Dumont, global head of marketing, business line plastics at Ciba. "Exclusive, individual effects produced with XYMARA Nordic add sparkle to a company's personality and distinguishing features to its products, helping to ensure that they stand out in the market."
XYMARA Nordic pigments complement and extend Ciba's portfolio of XYMARA effects, and can be used either on their own or together with other effect and/or colored pigments. For more information, visit www.xymara.com.
DESIGN: Miller Hunts New Customers with Blaze Orange Can and Hunting ThemeThis fall, Miller High Life is donning its own blaze orange attire and hunting-themed packaging to make sure consumers are properly equipped for their post-hunt celebrations. The hunt for the High Life begins September 1, as the limited-edition packages hit store shelves in select markets throughout the U.S. Proceeds from the sale of the hunting-themed packaging, available in 24- and 30-pack cartons, will contribute to Miller High Life's continued support of Whitetails Unlimited, Pheasants Forever, and the National Wild Turkey Federation.
"Miller High Life has been closely associated with the outdoors and hunting for more than 100 years, so this initiative is truly a reflection of many of our consumers, and a way to acknowledge their support of Miller High Life," says High Life senior brand manager Kevin Oglesby. "Plus, now it will be even easier to spot a can of Miller High Life in a hunter's crowded refrigerator." The High Life hunting packaging is scheduled to remain on store shelves through October, but supplies may vary from market to market.
Quality Australian Wine Goes Green for Whole Foods MarketThe Country Vintner (TCV), an Australian-based wine exporter, announced the first wine produced with organic grapes in a Tetra Pak carton package is available nationwide exclusively at Whole Foods Market stores. The wine, sold under the name Green Path, is made by Organic One Wines, one of Australia's oldest and largest vineyards and winery establishments, and a 100% percent organic vineyard and winery.
These wines aren't available in glass bottles; they are packaged in a Tetra Pak carton, which is a paper-based carton that is a more environmentally friendly. The packaging strategy is part of a growing idealism in which people, manufacturers, businesses, organizations and the government are participating to protect the environment for future generations.
Green Path wine in the one liter Tetra Pak package is ideal for consumers who want to enjoy a quality wine in a portable, recloseable, safe and easy-to-use package. Tetra Pak containers are also very environmentally friendly not only because they are made primarily from a renewable resource, but also because the packages are lighter in weight than traditional bottles, requiring less trucks and fuel for transportation, thus reducing total greenhouse gas emissions.
STRUCTURE: Coca-Cola Contour Bottle with Less PET Is Easy to Hold and Easy to OpenCoca-Cola North America today announced the launch of a newly designed 20-oz. PET contour bottle for all of its Coca-Cola brands. This bottle is a new take on the current 20-oz. contour bottle launched in 1993. The new texture and grip enhancements make it easier to hold and a shorter cap makes it easier to open.
The contemporary shape not only feels comfortable but also has appealing visual elements, such as an embossed Coca-Cola logo and the signature dynamic ribbon. The bottle's new design is completely recyclable and uses 5% less PET than its predecessor, which makes it better for the environment as well.
"We've taken America's favorite brand and interpreted its famous contour bottle in a fresh new way which we think is perfect for today's active consumer," says Katie Bayne, chief marketing officer, Coca-Cola North America. "The new Coca-Cola contour bottle is another example of the company's commitment to creating new products and packaging that meets consumers' needs."
Coca-Cola North America conducted extensive consumer research for the new contour bottle. The design launching today was a clear winner with consumers, with 92% of those surveyed saying they had a positive opinion of the new package. The contour bottle launch will be supported with an integrated marketing plan, and the refreshed design will be integrated into all national, local, and customer programs and point of sale merchandising, urging consumers to "Get a Grip on Your Thirst."
Heinz Uses Shaped Syrup Cans to Stimulate Market GrowthHeinz has relaunched fruit syrup products with improved recipes under their Karvan Cévitam brand using a shaped can to replace the original straight-walled cans. The attractive distortion-printed three-piece can is the result of a demanding development collaboration between Impress Research Centre in Crosmières, France, the Impress factory in Deventer, the Netherlands, and the Heinz team.
The containers are produced from fine stone finished tinplate and pneumatic blow-forming tooling was specially designed to create a shaped can that stands out on the shelf, is easy to grip, convenient to handle, and portrays the quality of the product. Mountain Design was responsible for the offset print design on the can which gives a bright, fresh appeal to the products and which now have improved recipes containing 70% fruit.
"Exceptional creative skills and the depth of technical know-how were essential ingredients for Impress to produce this outstanding package which we are confident will drive incremental sales in this market," says Gerald Sturdy, Impress' key account manager for Heinz. "From selecting the right metal to ensuring the brand name is registered with the relief feature in the body wall required superb team work to deliver a challenging brief for Heinz."
MATERIAL: EMSAR Will Launch New Test Tube Minis Package at HBA Global ExpoEMSAR, a global leader in dispensing pumps, is launching two new Minis packages with a portable test tube look for easy portable packaging. EMSAR Minis are bottle pump combinations available with either a fine mist sprayer or a Twist & Lock dispensing lotion pump. The new bottles have an appealing test tube shape that looks like it was made "to go." These new packages, available in 7.5-ml and 15-ml sizes, extend the aesthetic options available in the Minis line.
There are eight other bottles in sizes ranging from 7.5 to 30 ml. The bottles, which were developed with Precise Plastics, are injection blow molded in PET, which provides the clarity of glass without risk of breakage. There is a range of options with bottles available in clear, translucent, or opaque colors that can be decorated by silkscreen, shrink band or pressure sensitive label. For more, visit www.emsargroup.com.
Cosfibel Cases Pull Out the Stops for Category-Specific BoxesCosfibel-patented cases create a new gesture in packaging opening and the innovations play on the staging of objects that are particularly attractive for the jewelry, watch, and perfume market. Cosfibel's internal creation committee gathers together associates from different subsidiaries in the worlds of design, manufacturing, and even sales to create new ideas in packaging.
The Ecrin and Podium Box, both packaging and display, are based on a new opening style and a theatrical way of discovering the contents. The Podium Box works like a lipstick mechanism: a rotating base lifts the podium and opens the top. Virtually tamper-proof when the podium is not in the upright position, the pack allows small, precious objects to be totally protected. The Covering can be as varied as leather, textile and fabric, and the podium is covered in cardboard or thermoformed materials.
The Ecrin box can also don all the usual coverings used for mounted jewelry cases. Traditional at first glance, the box reveals its assets when it is opened as it unfolds to present its jewelry contents, bringing added value to the ceremonial and magical aspect of gift-giving.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: Graphic Systems Group Acquires applebrandsource Design AgencyFounded in 1986 by current president and chief creative director Barry Seelig, applebrandsource provides personalized marketing and package design services to corporations in the food and beverage, healthcare and over-the-counter, and beauty aids and household goods industries.
According to the agreement, GSG will merge the New York City-based applebrandsource's services, personnel, and client base with their own, strengthening the company's overall base of offerings. The management team and the creative staff will continue to operate under the applebrandsource moniker in Union Square. For more information about applebrandsource, go to www.applebrandsource.com. For more information on GSG, go to www.gsgnyc.com.
Robert Brands Named Managing Director of Rexam Personal CareRobert Brands has been appointed managing director of the personal care division of Rexam, which encompasses the company's dispensing systems, makeup and home and personal care businesses. Most recently, Brands was managing director of the dispensing systems division of Rexam and, previously, CEO of Airspray, the dispensing firm that was acquired by Rexam in May, 2006.
"Robert has successfully led the Dispensing Systems Division since his appointment last year, and his proven track record as CEO of Airspray provides him with the right background, as he now takes on this new challenge to further internationalize the business," says Graham Chipchase, group director, plastic packaging sector.
Esko and Artwork Systems Become EskoArtwork with New LogoEsko and Artwork Systems announce the completion of their merger transactions. The new combined business will go forward under the EskoArtwork brand, a name that reflects the strong heritage and broad customer base of the founding companies.
EskoArtwork is the global market leader for innovative design, pre-production and collaboration solutions to the packaging industry. EskoArtwork also provides a broad range of workflow solutions to the commercial printing market, as well as the Enfocus suite of PDF tools for graphic designers and print production professionals.
Bringing together the best products, people and practices of the integrated companies, EskoArtwork is ready to support its customers' needs through a global sales and support network, including distribution partners, backed by its 1,000 dedicated professionals. The new brand name and logo become effective immediately.
FTA Announces Call for Entries for its 2008 Excellence Awards CompetitionThe Flexographic Technical Association (FTA) is the world's leading professional society dedicated to advancing the flexographic print process. The 2008 Excellence in Flexography Awards Competition celebrates the 48th year of this prestigious program, which recognizes outstanding technical achievement in flexographic printing.
Flexographers from around the world are invited to benchmark their level of quality, achievement and technical prowess in the printing field. The competition is open to FTA members and non-members, including all printers/converters, prepress providers, suppliers, students and graphic artists.
To encourage companies to submit more entries, FTA has a pricing structure that allows one to five entries for $80 each for FTA members and $160 each for non-members. Additional entries after five are $70 and $140, respectively. The deadline to submit entries is Jan. 11, 2008. Entries must have been created between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2007. Winners will be announced at FFTA's 2008 Annual Forum & INFO*FLEX Exhibition, April 27-30, in Dallas, TX, and will also be featured in FLEXO® Magazine's Annual Awards issue. For more information contact Shelley Rubin, FTA's awards program coordinator, at 631-737-6020 or visit FTA's website at www.flexography.org.
Tray-Pak Corporation Plans to Open New Clean RoomTray-Pak Corporation, an industry leader in plastic thermoformed packaging, is announcing a new addition to its list of substantial resources by adding a class 100,000 clean room. The clean room is expected to be operational in the fourth quarter of 2007.
"For over 30 years we have been providing packaging solutions to our customers throughout a variety of industries," explains Randy Simcox, president and chief executive officer. "Some of the solutions we provided to the Medical Device market were limited to design, engineering, and prototyping. The addition of a clean room will allow Tray-Pak to provide our customers a turn-key solution that uses our front-end resources as well as providing them with a finished product in a clean room environment."
The immaculate environment of the clean room is designed for medical and pharmaceutical applications, and will also meet the packaging requirements needed for highly sophisticated industries such as electronics and aerospace. The clean room is designed to house two state-of-the-art thermoforming machines and employ up to 18 additional people with the ability to run three shifts. Tray-Pak is an ISO 2000:9001 certified company. For more information, visit www.traypak.com.
Zumbiel and Graphic Security Systems Announce Brand Security PartnershipZumbiel Packaging, one of the largest privately owned and operated paperboard packaging companies in the U.S., and Graphic Security Systems Corporation, a trusted provider of patented security technology, have announced the formation of a strategic partnership. Together, the entities will offer brand protection through a covert anti-counterfeiting technology to be implemented in Zumbiel's consumer packages.
The recent trend of security protection in packaging has been driven both by government legislation and the industry's need to protect against counterfeit products. Brand protection is now necessary to ensure that consumers are getting the authentic, safe product that they intended for use.
Graphic Security Systems Corporation will embed hidden images into the existing artwork on Zumbiel's paperboard packaging. These images are invisible to the human eye and even high-tech scanners. Only with the SI® Digital Decoder™ system or proprietary SI® Optical Decoder™& lens can these images be verified as authentic.
Joe Yock, vice president of the consumer packaging division, says: "It is vitally important for our company to provide continued excellence and innovation to our customers. Our goal is always to offer packages and services that set the standard for the entire packaging industry." For more, contact Zumbiel Packaging at sales@zumbiel.com.
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COMPASS is an online software tool for packaging designers and engineers to compare the environmental impacts of their package designs.