Would the same image, printed by several different printing companies, always produce the same quality output? It’s an interesting question and one that can be addressed by considering the importance of print and packaging standards in the UK and global printing industry. For print businesses, standards help to boost their productivity, resolve workflow problems and offer customers a clearer vision of how their print orders will look when complete. Understanding printing industry standards is beneficial to brands for whom quality and cost are key aspects as they can make informed comparisons between providers before deciding who to place their orders with.

Demands from print buyers are changing. Not only must a label meet strict performance & durability tests. It may need to go through a series of product devices, be highly printable & colourful, tolerate a heat & cold, whilst offering environmental advantages, and be affordable.

Sustainability is becoming increasingly prominent within the media and in the public’s consciousness. Due to the commodities involved in printing, it’s even more important to demonstrate green credentials and a commitment to the environment. With pressure mounting to meet environmental standards and government regulations, positive steps to source your printing materials responsibly are the best way to demonstrate your commitment to sustainability:

There is nothing normal about the current global situation facing us. This is something we have not seen in living memory and that will have a lasting economic impact going forward. I was in Bangladesh, Dhaka in February 2020. The intention was to exhibit and attend the DTG show in this vibrant country. The virus was already in the news with China in partial lockdown and the first cases in Europe just being reported - the impact of the virus was just beginning to show. The show was cancelled, incoming flights from China subject to strict control. I had meetings with a number of well established global manufacturers and suppliers who had full order books but were struggling to find raw materials and higher prices. How the world changed, three weeks later: parts of Europe were in lockdown and the whole world economy is now in turmoil with the focus moving from the issue of supply of raw materials and increased prices, to cancelled orders for the foreseeable future.

There are times in life when small differences mean a world of benefits. A tweak here, a thoughtful addition there, or a bit of extra investment. In the world of flexographic printing the result can be increases in productivity, energy efficiency, and quality.

As you are aware, the Corona-Virus (COVID-19) is spreading rapidly throughout the world and many countries have issued new directives in the past days in a response to the status of a pandemic. Many borders have been closed in Europe and in the America’s. We would like to re-assure you that Focus Label Machinery is, also within these extraordinary circumstances, actively working on the situation to secure all deliveries in order to minimise the impact it could have on your operations. This includes a regular re-scoping of daily events to keep up to date with current developments. We already put in place several preventive actions internally and with our suppliers to minimise effects in the future.