Avery Dennison acquires TexTrace, an innovator in integrated RFID products

Avery Dennison Corporation announced that it has acquired TexTrace AG, a technology developer that specializes in custom-made woven and knitted RFID products which can be sewn onto or inserted into garments. TexTrace was formerly a subsidiary of Jakob Müller Holding, a leading Swiss OEM for the textile industry, and is located in Frick, Switzerland. The acquisition includes ownership of TexTrace’s portfolio of intellectual property and its employees that will continue to be based in Frick, Switzerland, enabling Avery Dennison to continue to innovate and drive adoption within the apparel sector and unlock opportunities in non-apparel segments. 

The innovative technology developed by TexTrace provides the opportunity to fully integrate RFID into garments. Brand labels with built-in RFID are an all-in-one solution for product branding, brand and theft protection, product availability, consumer interaction, and enhanced convenience, such as self-checkout. In the future, it could offer unprecedented supplier and materials information to enable the circular economy through recommence and recycling, providing the opportunity to gain insights into the true carbon footprint of the garment. 

“This is an exciting acquisition for Avery Dennison, expanding our digital ID portfolio to offer integrated RFID solutions for the apparel industry. The innovative woven and knitted RFID products that TexTrace has developed, will add significant value to the traditional way the apparel and retail sector uses RFID, creating the opportunity for a more sustainable and intelligent future where digital ID’s can live with the life of the garment”, said Francisco Melo, vice president, and general manager, Avery Dennison Smartrac.

“This step is a great opportunity and a groundbreaking decision for the future of TexTrace AG. We are proud of what the start-up has achieved in its 10-year company history and we are very pleased that we can now enable it to take the next step in its progression. This comes at the right time with the right partner”, said Stephan Bühler, co-owner of Jakob Müller Holding AG and previous CEO of TexTrace AG.

https://www.averydennison.com/

Five reasons why large format supports business resilience

While key print production markets were heavily impacted by the pandemic, the wide-format sector experienced less disruption and is expected to enjoy strong growth in the next five years.

In fact, global consultancy Shingetsu Research predicts a CAGR of 5.4% from 2021 to 2027forthe worldwide large format printer market. It expects it to reach $11.4 billion by 2027 from $8.8 billion in 2020.

Driving this is greater adoption in the advertising, packaging, and textile industries as well as expansion into new and emerging market segments like vehicle wrap, architectural layouts, home furnishing, and décor applications.

This was reflected by a 2% worldwide lift in large format printer shipments according to the IDC. It reported the market returned to pre-pandemic levels in Q1 2021. 

There are five reasons why the large format has proven to be so resilient:

1. Communication

It was the first technology that businesses and institutions pivoted to when the pandemic hit. It was used to quickly explain and identify what safety precautions to take, where to stand and even where to sanitize hands. It allowed print service providers such as Italian graphic design and print specialist Beepag to develop a new range of products, Others, such as Scottish print and signage solutions specialist Appeal Media, manufactured thousands of hand sanitizer stations for schools and councils to help vital services to remain open while Cartesio Full card produced protective visors for Italian healthcare personnel.

2. Quality

The report from Shingetsu Research states the quality delivered by large-format systems is instrumental in print operations investing in the technology to help them deliver a broader range of services. The ability to produce high-quality images allows specific detail to be shown in an engaging format. This approach to adoption is aided by systems such as the Ricoh Pro  L5100e Series of extended gamut latex large format printers that accurately reproduce a wide range of Pantone and brand colors thanks to Ricoh’s white, orange, and green ink colors.

3. Quantity flexibility

Production runs of one to many can readily and cost-effectively be produced on wide-format systems. However, it is worth noting that Keypoint Intelligence stated that, while there are a lot of different products and run lengths possible, the top line offerings – banners, signs, window graphics, decals, and posters – haven’t changed much regardless of the economic conditions. It found profitability remained strong with the most produced, short-run applications. They averaged a gross profit in excess of 50%.

4. Substrate versatility

With the ability to print on almost any surface, UV technology allows print service providers to offer unique products and expand their business in different ways. The all-in-one Ricoh Pro  TF6251 hybrid flatbed UV printer supports print production on roll-fed media, as well as rigid media. It delivers the increased flexibility of two systems in one. Alongside substrate versatility, it also helps deliver on the fifth reason the wide format is resilient…

5. Application diversity 

Traditional applications remain the core business for wide formats such as indoor and outdoor signage, Point of Purchase, vehicle wraps, posters, art, event and floor graphics, and décor such as wallpaper. But as previously mentioned the technology can be used effectively in other markets thanks to its versatility. These include short-run jobs within the commercial, packaging, label, and industrial sectors, as well as proofing and even printed electronics and RFID conductive products.

Wide-format digital print’s strength lies in its ability to enable cost-effective, fast turnaround of orders while at the same time offering environmentally friendly solutions with low power consumption, minimal waste, and producing only what is required.

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Illuminate print with precious metal opulence

Illuminated manuscripts – the elaborate decoration of a handwritten book with gold or silver to make the pages shimmer with opulence – was an art form practiced for centuries.

Described by Herodotus as far back as 420 BC, it was widely used by Islamic and Asian societies and had one of the longest and most cultivated traditions in Europe.

Also called miniature, after the Latin word ‘miniature’ which means to color with minimum (a red lead), the process grew more elaborate and gold was introduced.

Its complexity and cost meant illumination was reserved for special books like an altar Bible.

There were three main types of gold and silver application:

• Metallic leaf laid on a wet glue design and polished with a burnishing tool when dry.
• A sticky gesso (thick, water-based paint, often formed of plaster, chalk, or gypsum, bound with glue) built up to create a 3D effect, with the metal then applied and burnished.
• Metallic powder and gum arabic mixed into ink and applied with pen or brush.

This form of decorative print evolved when the invention of the Gutenburg press made widespread book production possible. Mechanization also shaped other areas of book design including the cover.

At the same time, gold leaf became too expensive to keep up with the increased production of books.  Today, the addition of gold or silver is typically a commercial print process.

For offset print, gold and silver ink can be used although this is not always without its challenges. Foil blocking requires a separate post-production step, where a heated die is stamped onto the foil and then onto the surface of the paper leaving the design behind.

For digital print, the metallic color is reproduced directly from a file on the computer. Fast and simple, there are no setup costs. This makes it ideal for short runs and smaller orders.

Ricoh’s new gold and silver toners can re-create the richness of the illuminated manuscripts in minutes, rather than days, and at a fraction of the cost.

Developed for the fifth color station on the Ricoh Pro  C7200X digital color sheetfed press, they can also elevate any application from catalogs, posters, and flyers to direct mail, brochures, and invitations.

To discover how easy it is to affordably add a luxurious shimmer to your creative applications talk to your Ricoh representative.

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XSYS rotec Sleeves and Adapters grow its presence in North America

By investing in new purpose-built offices, complemented by a new site entrance and enhanced parking facilities, XSYS is demonstrating its commitment to the future after the change in ownership.

“Our strategy to grow the XSYS sleeves business is gaining traction, and we have now embarked on the next phase to strengthen our rotec  Sleeves and Adapters business to extend our lead in the market,” said Patrick Luedecke, General Manager Sleeves Global. “As a specialized solutions provider for the packaging industry, we have always strived to adapt to changing market conditions and enable our customers to overcome any obstacles.”

The current market challenges caused by the global pandemic have greatly extended lead times from Europe, meaning some manufacturers are struggling to supply their customers. With full manufacturing capabilities on the ground in the US, XSYS rotec Sleeves and Adapters continue to offer extremely competitive and reliable delivery of high-quality products from its full rotec range without disruption.   

Having installed new equipment to produce rotec Offset Sleeves in the US, the Asheville plant now manufactures the complete portfolio of rotec sleeves and adapters for narrow, mid, and wide web flexo and offset printing presses. The sleeves and adapters are manufactured to order according to the specified wall thickness, length, and upgrade options.

Moreover, for customers demanding even faster delivery times, XSYS rotec  Sleeves and Adapters offer a special rush program that reduces lead times on the main product lines considerably. While the standard lead time for rotec  Blue Light sleeves is 15 days for a set of 10, the rush program reduces this to just 6 days. rotec High-Performance Sleeves and rotec Premium Sleeves can be delivered in 18 days reduced to 7-8 days on the rush program.

“We understand the unprecedented difficulties that converters are facing in the current climate, and we are implementing solutions across our business, not only here in the US, but globally, to help our customers succeed,” concludes Mr. Luedecke.