Ward/Kraft

Over the Counter
August 1, 2008

Prescription drugs had the last laugh on the Joker. As Batman: The Dark Night continues to produce record-breaking numbers at the box office, Oscar-nominated actor Heath Ledger isn’t around to see what could eventually result in a post-humous Academy Award win for his Joker role. In late January 2008, Ledger was found dead in his Manhattan apartment as a result of a drug overdose—but not from the stereotypical Hollywood indulgences in illicit drugs, such as heroin and cocaine. Instead, an accidental overdose of six different prescription drugs, including narcotic pain killers, sleeping pills and anti-anxiety medications, led the 28-year-old actor to his untimely

Ward/Kraft Launches Eco-Friendly UV Holographic Coating
July 28, 2008

Ward/Kraft, Ft. Scott, Kan., has released an eco-friendly security printing option. The VOC-free holographic UV coating is 100 percent recyclable and non-polluting. The “green” holographic coating can be applied to labels, plastics, magnets, card stock and virtually any coated product, providing distributors with a recyclable holographic security solution. The new “green” coating is offered in 19 standard holographic patterns, three of which are kept in stock, while another 16 are readily available. The coating can be flood coated and/or printed as a custom image from digital artwork. This new solution provides a “green” holographic coating with a glass like, even and smooth surface

Ward/Kraft’s Revised RealCard Program and New Integrated Card and Label Solutions
July 1, 2008

Ward/Kraft, Ft. Scott, Kan., has launched a new stock and imprinted membership card program with new pricing and delivery benefits. With this new program, distributors no longer have to meet long-run minimums. Ward/Kraft’s revised RealCard program is designed to help distributors further penetrate the desktop-printed integrated product market. It features low minimum quantities and fast turnaround on blank or imprinted plastic membership card options distributors need to meet desktop user’s needs, while realizing significant profit margins. Minimum quantities for the new program range from 250 inkjet and 1000 laser compatible plastic membership cards. The program includes fast shipping of stock and imprinted 8

Ward/Kraft Takes Top Awards in Regional Print Competition
June 1, 2008

The Printing & Imaging Association of MidAmerica (PIA-MidAmerica) named Ward/Kraft, headquartered in Fort Scott, Kan., an award winner during the association’s 19th Annual Graphic Excellence Awards Competition. This year’s competition attracted nearly 800 entries from many of the industry’s top commercial printers in Kan., Okla., Western Mo. and Texas. Ward/Kraft received one Best of Category Award, one Award of Excellence and 31 Awards of Merit. A panel of four independent judges, with extensive experience in printing and print production, judged each entry based on technical difficulty, as well as the entrant’s attention to detail in meeting customer expectations. PIA-MidAmerica is a regional graphic

Ward/Kraft Takes Top Awards During IAPHC-Sponsored Competition
February 18, 2008

Minneapolis-based IAPHC (International Association of Printing House Craftsmen) had a group of international jurors evaluate more than 2,250 entries received from around the globe during its 33rd International Gallery competition, Sept. 26-28. Winners—including Ward/Kraft, Ft. Scott, Kan.—received their awards in January, during IAPHC’s celebration of International Printing Week in Las Vegas. Ward/Kraft received five Gold Awards, five Silver Awards, three Bronze Awards and one Honorable Mention within the following categories: graphic design, flexography plastic cards, sheetfed offset waterless printing and digital small-format devices. Said Kevin Keane, IAPHC’s president and CEO, “The Ward/Kraft family of companies has been participating in the International Gallery

The Key to Success
February 1, 2008

The first priority of advertising is establishing need. Even product lines offering unlimited market potential and movement require a little push to maintain sales quotas. The good news is, the function of some products enables them to sneak their way into virtually any market. Form/label combinations, for instance, can be sold to almost every business sector. And, while traditional forms business has hit a plateau in recent years, form/label combinations still indicate room for product growth. Any business with high-volume shipping; any company dealing heavily in consistent consumer response or one requiring the services of a two-in-one product can be targeted to expand form/label

Ward/Kraft Expands High-Volume Plastic Products Offerings
November 1, 2007

Headquartered in Fort Scott, Kan., Ward/Kraft has expanded its plastic printing capabilities to offer quicker turnaround times on value-added plastic products. Typically, many features on high-volume orders—including magnetic stripes, variable printing in black and color, serial numbering, bar coding and signature panels—require four weeks or more for production. The recent expansion enables Ward/Kraft to reduce turnaround times by days or even weeks. For more information, visit www.wardkraft.com.

Ward/Kraft Announces Promotions
October 1, 2007

Ward/Kraft, Fort Scott, Kan., recently promoted veteran employees Henry Maus and Billy Cowan. Maus, most recently a labels office lead, was promoted to office manager of the forms and labels divisions. Throughout his 15-year career, Maus gained valuable experience in the forms division as a scheduler, and held several other positions, including press operator of both flexo and digital presses, production supervisor and raw materials manager. Cowan was appointed production supervisor of the labels division. He began his 15-year career with the company as a rewinder operator, and eventually became lead pressman. For more information, visit www.wardkraft.com.

Label Lovers’ Delight
July 1, 2007

If you dig labels—and frankly, who doesn’t—the following may help to inspire new sales and recall past successes, as manufacturers look at some of their most successful, profitable and coolest label designs. Winning Ticket Donna Fisher, marketing communications specialist for Continental Datalabel, Elgin, Ill., observed that while many customers are familiar with the extensive line of products in the company’s Compulabel catalog, not as many know that Continental Datalabel specializes in customization. A client serving a national retailer recently submitted an order for uniquely sized labels for use on a variety of surfaces. The products required a special removable adhesive and laser toner coating technology. “Continental

Ward/Kraft Announces Promotions
May 1, 2007

Headquartered in Fort Scott, Kan., Ward/Kraft promoted Gina Holt, director of MIS and software development, to vice president of business development /sales. During her three-year run with the company, Holt has made great strides with Ward/Kraft’s software development group. She has more than 15 years of management experience in customer relations, human resources management and systems development. In addition, Roger Davis, long-run labels/stock labels office manager, has been promoted to general manager of the division. An 18-year Ward/Kraft veteran, Davis is a key factor in the long-run labels/stock labels division’s success, and will continue to help grow and develop the company. “These two