In the first two weeks of 2010, our print lab delivered 8 Application Print Tests to help customers close new business. Not surprisingly, four of them were for flexible packaging imprints – one of the fastest growing vertical markets in thermal transfer ribbons. Our lab runs three inline Markem Smartdate and Videojet Dataflex printers with continuous and intermittent processes up to 24 ips. Our customers provide the substrate, and we print with top-quality ribbons like NET FLEX, our new thermal transfer ribbon for flexible packaging, then evaluate print quality and durability. We find that smudge testing with our crockmeter is the best way to simulate the abrasion a package goes through on form, fill and seal lines. We also own more than 90 desktop and industrial thermal printers to perform just about any label test in the world.
Only two of our print tests so far this month have been for wax thermal transfer ribbons. That really points to where our business is going – Premium Products. Wax will always be an important part of our product line, but many customers see how wax/resin, resin and even color ribbons can deliver more margin dollars and have lower churn. Premium products can be a more technical sell, and often testing is needed. That’s where we can help during the sales process.
It looks like 2010 is off to a solid start. We’re feeling a solid underlying current of improvement in business over 2009… Are you?
It would be very helpful if we could download ,or even obtain flyers on the flexible packaging that are generic. In other words, we could label them with our information as the distributor without the IIMAK branding on them. I need something I can leave with my customer.
We do have several pieces of pre-printed literature that is generic. I’ll have your account manager contact you with more info. Thanks!