Envelopes have become a “green” marketing choice. In fact, approximately 55 percent of the paper used by the United States envelope industry is recovered and reused. The envelope industry’s goal is to capture as close to 100 percent as possible. In addition to a “Please Recycle” campaign launched in July encouraging consumers to recycle envelopes, The Envelope Manufacturers Association Foundation (EMAF), Alexandria, Va., is helping to educate envelope industry stakeholders about sound environmental management. The Environmental Awareness Toolkit on CD-ROM includes information about best practices, the latest technologies and other resources. It is designed to enhance environmental management throughout the envelope manufacturing process, from
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In February 1996, Print Professional, then titled Business Forms, Labels & Systems, profiled long-run manufacturer Datatel as its “Forms Pro” of the year. At the time, Datatel, based in Monaca, Pa., generated 75 percent to 80 percent of its profits on long-run business, a significant portion of which was attributed to continuous forms. Yet, it was 12 years ago, and paper was still the norm in almost all sectors. Furthermore, we as a culture hadn’t truly been digitized: the Internet wasn’t a must-have at work or at home, nor was it considered completely reliable for information or the passage of personal credit data. But,
Headquartered in York, Pa., Glatfelter—a global manufacturer of specialty papers and engineered products—was honored during the third annual Progressive Manufacturing 50 Awards program, hosted by “Managing Automation,” a Thomas Publishing Company publication. The award acknowledges manufacturing companies that are progressive in their businesses, the management of their operations and the use of advanced technologies. The 50 companies recognized had to achieve distinction in at least one of the eight core areas defined by “Managing Automation” as critical to future business success: business model, customer service, supply network, data and integration, innovation, training and education, leadership and operational excellence. In addition to being
Xerox Corporation, Rochester, N.Y., unveiled a first-of-its-kind paper for digital printing that uses half as many trees as traditional paper, while lowering the cost to mail printed material. Developed by scientists and engineers at the Xerox Media and Compatibles Technology Center, the Xerox High Yield Business Paper is a mechanical fiber paper that overcomes operational problems, such as curling and dust, that until now have prevented mechanical fiber papers from being used with digital print devices. Xerox High Yield Business Paper is made through a “greener” process than standard paper used with digital printers. High Yield Business Paper uses 90 percent of the tree
St. Louis, Missouri-based Somark Innovations, cofounded by Ramos Mays and Mark Pydynowski, is developing a chipless, RFID bio-ink applied by a method similar to tattooing. According to company president Pydynowski, Somark’s ink is “a biocompatible, chemically inert ink that is injected into the skin ... . This ink has special properties allow[ing] it to be remotely detected, translating into a unique ID [code] that can be read without line of sight.” Somark’s founders are motivated, said Pydynowski, by the precariousness of the nation’s food supply. The RFID ink the company produces can permanently track livestock threatened by disease in a more cost-effective way than
Necessity is frequently called the “mother of invention.” Even when new products evolve into cultural mainstays, there’s always room for improvement or repositioning in the marketplace. Breweries in the United States, for instance, have been up and running since 1663, when Nicholas Vartlett opened one in Hoboken, N.J., according to the Hoboken Historical Museum and Cultural Center. Almost 400 years later, companies making and marketing beer still seek ways to maintain market presence. And no matter how successful the daily deluge of direct mail continues to be, upping response rates by adding personalized notes and incentives has become an increasingly popular advertising technique. Liquid
Domtar, Palo Alto, Calif., launched a dedicated Web site to meet designer’s needs for an inspirational and informative online resource. The Domtar Designer Corner (at www.domtardesignercorner.com) has been created by designers for designers, and offers industry news and events, designer profiles, eco-smart design options and tips for selecting the best paper to bring designs to life. PaperSpecs—an online provider of paper knowledge to the design and print industries, and host of a database featuring more than 4,200 papers from 65 mills and manufacturers—will support the site with an exclusive series of Tips on Paper articles, which can be accessed from the landing
These fast facts are courtesy of the Wisconsin Paper Council, Neenah, Wis.: • Every day, United States-based paper makers recycle enough paper to fill a 15-mile-long train of boxcars. • Each year, the average American uses approximately 749 lbs. of paper and paper products. • Each year, more than 2 billion trees are planted in the United States by the forest industry, private landowners and government agencies—that’s roughly 7 million trees planted every day. • Only about 17 percent of the wood consumed worldwide each year is used for paper making. For more information, visit www.wipapercouncil.org.
Headquartered in Omro, Wis., Printco offers a “Paper Knowledge” webinar at www.printco.com, showing how characteristics of different papers not only impact the look of projects, but bindery operations, as well. “I always tell people to first consider how [a piece] will be used, then the budget of the customer,” said Ken Sperling, president. As for a paper’s finish, a glossy stock is best when showcasing attention-getting graphics. When dealing with a lot of text, Sperling recommended a matte or dull finish, since any glare on the sheet may impede the reader’s progress. Application also dictates the proper weight of the paper. For instance,
By Maggie DeWitt This month’s mystery product will interest both manufacturers and distributors of label products. A development has resulted in a specialty label that creates exciting new sales opportunities within the food industry. One of only two such products on the market, it has the potential to benefit the pharmaceutical and health-care industries, as well. Use the following clues to guess what the product is: • It requires FDA approval. • It is a stock option that yields a value-added substrate. • It gives distributors a great reason to make contact with customers and prospects in the packaging and distribution
