The flexible packaging industry has four main printing methods to choose from: offset, rotogravure, flexographic and digital. While all four have their respective qualities, plusses and drawbacks, a package that has been printed using the web offset method looks amazing as a printed product.

One company wants to make sure the flexible packaging industry knows and understands just that. Located in Durham, N.H., Goss International is burgeoning its printing-press capabilities and busting through into the packaging industry. 

Goss International is part of the Shanghai Electric (Group) Corporation, an international group with annual revenues of more than $12 billion and a long-term commitment to world-class industrial technology. The company has three main arms for its printing machinery, including packaging, commercial printing (think marketing media) and newspaper printing.

Goss is confident that its web offset for flexible packaging printing press will be a game-changing press. Available for customer demonstrations, the Vpak offset printing press was introduced at drupa 2012, and the company wants to bring in visitors to see the packaging printer in action. 

“Our momentum for 2015 is converting printers from flexo to offset,” says Michael D’Angelo, managing director for the Americas, Goss International. “Packaging companies are definitely looking closely at a move from gravure or flexo to offset.  Additionally, web offset is very competitive to digital printing. Vpak widths go from 20.5 inches to 75 inches, and the quality is unmatched.”

Customer Demonstrations

Goss International has built a packaging technology center in its Durham, N.H. global headquarters, which allows for customers – existing or potential – to bring in substrates to test on the Vpak press. Goss has partnered with numerous big-name, quality companies to incorporate a top-notch testing center.

The process includes the use of Alwan printing software, which includes closed-loop ink color management. This can allow for extended gamut colors as well as consistently repeatable PMS colors. Martin Automatic winders are at the beginning and end of the line. The company has also partnered with Flint Group, Wikoff Color, ESI EZ Cure, QuadTech, AVT QC Machines and NELA Bender.

Taking the Leap

For flexible packaging printers looking to take the leap, the Sunday Vpak offers: premium offset print quality; affordable, fast change; variable-repeat size sleeves; fast makereadies; low-cost offset plates; higher productivity than sheetfed; image nesting on plates to optimize layout; Gaples Sunday press blankets; advanced tension control; high-quality ink and dampening system with four-form rolls; automate Goss Omnicon controls; nice machine ergonomics, including single-level operation.

As a flexible packaging printer knows, the consistency in a package’s print quality can either mean a life-long customer or a “so long” customer. Web offset printing for flexible packaging films can help your company’s customers be life-long and lasting.

SIDEBAR

Goss International Locations:

Durham, NH
US Headquarters/Vpak and Commercial Press Manufacturing Facility

Preston, UK
Engineering Facility

Senlis, France
Goss Europe

Shanghai, China
Newspaper Manufacturing Facility