The second International Printing Technology Exhibition of China (Guangdong) – PRINT CHINA 2011 – was held for five days from April 9 to 13, 2011 at the Guangdong Modern International Exhibition Center in Dongguan Municipality, Guangdong Province. PRINT CHINA is the sister exhibition of CHINA PRINT (Beijing International Printing Technology Exhibition), which is held in Beijing; PRINT CHINA is a general printing industry exhibition that is held once every four years since 2007, and this second PRINT CHINA was held this time on the themes of “ecology, high efficiency and digitalization".
Reflecting the brisk growth of the Chinese economy, the exhibition has become a successful large event held on a total exhibition space of 120,000 square meters (80,000 square meters the previous time), with 1,261 exhibitors from 18 countries and regions (1,047 exhibitors the previous time) and a total of 160,000 visitors (total of 100,000 visitors the previous time). The booths presented the latest technologies, products and solutions. In addition, during the exhibition there were more than 50 seminars and events, including forums on international printing development and technology and conferences for the exchange of printing information.
In the 800 square meter Komori booth, three machines were shown – a six-color and a four-color Lithrone G40 – making their first appearance in the Chinese market – and an Enthrone 29, based on the corporate slogan of ‘Kando: Beyond Expectations’ with a main theme of ‘Innovation for a Better Future’ and a subtheme of ‘5 Solutions: Technological Innovation, Productivity, Print Quality, Environmental Friendliness and Service;’ four live demonstrations of each machine were held every day (total of 60 demonstrations), resulting in a great success that attracted many visitors every day.
< Exhibition machines >
• Lithrone G40 (six colors) + C + UV (GL-640 + C + UV)
• Lithrone G40 (four colors) + H-UV (GL-440 + H-UV)
• Enthrone 29 (four colors) (E-429)
In the five-cornered space decorated with graphic images of the ‘5 Solutions,’ an H-UV corner, a DoNet corner, a service corner, a currency printing corner, and a web offset & special presses corner were set up, and visitors to the booth received detailed explanations from salesmen using display panels and video.
In addition, an On Press Desk for Komori’s PR magazine was set up in one corner of the booth, and visitors to the desk were given introductions and copies of the magazine.
= Scene of the GL-640 + C + UV demonstration =
< Demonstration highlights >
• Stability of sheet feeding and delivery of UV version of new model
• High added value printing by multicolor machine
1. Reproduction with outstanding color rendering properties using Kaleido inks (four colors)
2. Adaptability to package printing by means of printing on cardboard
• Variety of pseudo-embossing expressions possible with conventional UV lamps, overprint varnish, matte varnish and coater varnish
< Demonstration content >
Two jobs were run using two different image patterns in the demonstrations. For the printing paper, cardboard (0.20 mm) and metalized paper were changed every other day. Through the use of the same paper and image pattern and different varnish, visitors were able so see a comparison of printing effects. Three patterns were printed on 400 sheets of production printing in each job.
Demonstration on cardboard
In Job 1, after the first pattern was printed in four colors with Kaleido ink, overprint varnish was used on half of the image in the fifth unit, matte varnish was used on the other half of the image in the sixth unit, and coater varnish was laid down on half of the image by the coater unit, allowing visitors to see the comparative effects of pseudo-embossing and matte varnish. In the second pattern, matte varnish and coater varnish could be compared, and in the third pattern, visitors could see a comparison of four-color printing with and without varnish. In Job 2, the image was changed and printing samples were produced using the same three patterns of printing and varnish.
Demonstration on metalized paper
In Job 1, the first pattern consisted of laying down white in the first unit, then printing four colors, then applying overprint varnish, and creating pseudo-embossing by applying coater varnish on half of the image with the coater unit. For the second pattern, white in the first unit was not applied, and following four-color printing, overprint varnish and coater varnish were applied. For the third pattern, after four-color printing, coater varnish was applied and visitors were able to compare the effects of printing with white and applying varnish. In Job 2, the image was changed and printing samples were produced using the same three patterns of printing and varnish.
< Printed images >
= Scene of the GL-440 + H-UV demonstration =
< Demonstration highlights >
• Stability of sheet feeding and delivery of new model using both thin paper and thick paper
• Fast changeover from thin paper to thick paper (expansion of range in which gripper pad adjustment is not necessary, Semi-APC, and new control system for plate supply and removal)
• Ultra-fast drying by H-UV and high-sensitivity ink
• Proposals for improvement of plant environment by means of powder-free and ozon-free production
< Demonstration content >
Three jobs were run in the demonstrations. Thin paper (0.12 mm) was used in the first job. With register adjustment and color matching carried out in advance, four-color test printing on the front side of the sheets was performed, and after checking register accuracy, production printing of 300 sheets was completed. Job 2 was four-color work-and-turn of Job 1 (printing of back side of the sheets) with no plate change; after test printing and checking of front/back register accuracy, 250 sheets were printed in production printing. Then job changeover (ink removing -> plate-changing by Semi-APC -> pre-inking -> change of paper) was performed and the demo proceeded to Job 3. In Job 3, four-color printing was performed using thick paper (0.40 mm); after test printing and checking register accuracy and color matching, 300 sheets were printed in production printing.
< Printed images >
= Scene of the E-429 demonstration =
< Demonstration highlights >
• Fast changeover from thin paper to thick paper because transfer cylinder gripper pad up-down adjustment is not necessary
• High print quality and improved suitability to printing on thick sheets due to double-size impression cylinders
• Efficient competence with short runs
• Space saving and power saving
< Demonstration content >
Two jobs were performed in the demonstrations. Thin paper (0.12 mm) was used in Job 1. With register adjustment and color matching carried out in advance, four-color test printing was performed, andafter checking register accuracy, production printing of 400 sheets was completed. Next, job changing (ink removing -> plate-changing by tool-less clamping system -> change to thick paper made by touchpanel setting -> pre-inking) was performed, and the demo proceeded to printing on thick paper (0.40 mm) for Job 2 without any transfer cylinder gripper pad up-down adjustment. After four-color test printing and checking register accuracy, 400 sheets were printed in production printing.
< Printed images >
Visitors to the booth paid very close attention to the samples printed by H-UV printing and high added value printing during the demonstrations, and could be seen extending their hands to get a sample as though it were a competition.
In business discussions, Komori received orders far surpassing its initial estimate due to the vigorously growing printing industry that is driven by the solid expansion of the Chinese economy.
A party (Komori Night) was held on the second day of the exhibition and many customers attended. The party was held outdoors and there were performances featuring dancing, music and fireworks that contributed to a very successful get-together that was lively throughout.
Komori is very grateful to the many people who visited out booth. Thanks to you, we achieved results far higher than we had expected.
We look forward to seeing all of you again at PRINT CHINA 2015.