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MILLCRAFT'S "IN STOCK"
Read Millcraft's quarterly industry magazine "In Stock" on line for insight into the paper, packaging and graphic arts industry
Uncoated free sheet (UFS) paper shipments decreased 3% year-over-year in January. UFS imports increased 16% in December compared to December 2015, but finished the year 14% below 2015, with exports decreasing 11% for the year.
January coated free sheet (CFS) paper shipments decreased 5% compared to January 2016. Imports of CFS papers also decreased 5% year-over-year in December, but increased 2% for the year, with exports decreasing just 1% in 2016.
Uncoated mechanical (UM) paper shipments decreased 18% in January compared to January 2016. Imports of UM increased 2% in December, but decreased 7% year-over-year in 2016. Exports of UM in December dropped 11% and were down 10% compared to the previous year.
Coated mechanical (CM) shipments in January decreased 2% when compared to January 2016. Imports of CM increased 27% in December compared to December 2015, and up 3% for the year, with exports increasing 2% in December, and down 5% relative to the previous year.
The January 2017 Boxboard Report shows total boxboard production decreased 0.8 percent when compared to January 2016, but increased 2.2 percent from last month.
Unbleached Kraft Boxboard production decreased over the same month as last year and decreased compared to last month.
Total Solid Bleached Boxboard & Liner production decreased when compared to January 2016, and decreased compared to last month.
Mohawk's Tom and Ted O’Connor to Receive 2017 Peyton Shaner Award
Source: AIPPM/National Paper Trade Association, February 27, 2017
Tom O’Connor, Jr, Chairman and CEO, and Ted O’Connor, Senior Vice President for Mohawk have been selected as the co-recipients of the 2017 Peyton Shaner Award. The presentation will be made at the 2017 AIPPM Annual Meeting to be held in March 1-4 in Hollywood, FL. The Peyton Shaner Award was established to commemorate the founder of the Association of Independent Printing Paper Merchants. The recipient is recognized as someone who has shared Shaner’s passion for our industry. Past recipients include Doug Adams and Bill Stemmerman of Appvion, Bill Frohlich of the NPTA Alliance, Jeff Kirchmer of National Envelope, Morris Dennis of Dennis Paper Co., Charlie Peth of Wausau Paper, Alain Villemure of LECTA, and Bill Koehn of Domtar.
As Chief Executive Officer, Tom O’Connor has doubled Mohawk’s business and positioned the organization for the future by leading Mohawk into new areas of growth. Through a series of strategic initiatives, he expanded global sales, operations and distribution channels; diversified Mohawk’s product portfolio to include envelopes and specialty substrates for digital printing; and upgraded IT and operational infrastructure. Mr. O’Connor has also expanded Mohawk’s distribution base through strategic initiatives including the acquisition of several companies, including the iconic Strathmore line of fine papers, which was acquired in 2005. In addition, he has served as chairman of the National Paper Trade Association, and on the boards of the American Forest Products Association.
Ted O’Connor has been in the paper business on and off since 1980. He began his career with the Carter Rice Paper Company as a Sales Representative for their Boston and West Haven, CT divisions. In 1982 he started with Mohawk Fine Papers as a Specification Sales Representative for the New York City market. In 1985 he became the District Sales Manager for upstate New York and Canada. In 1987 Ted was promoted to National Sales Manager. In 1992 he left Mohawk to work in Bond Sales for Lehman Brothers in New York City. From 1998-2008 Ted continued his career in Bond Sales at First Albany Corporation. He returned to Mohawk in 2008 as National Sales Manager for the Eastern Region and in 2011 was promoted to Senior Vice President Sales, responsible for sales of fine paper across the United States and Canada as well as Mohawk's growing envelope business. In 2016, Ted was promoted to Senior Vice President and General Manager, Mohawk Envelope and Converting. In this new role, Ted leads Mohawk’s sales and marketing efforts for envelopes, while working closely with manufacturing and supply chain teams to enhance Mohawk’s rapidly growing envelope and converting businesses.
Neenah Significantly Expands Neenah Digital Papers Portfolio
Source: Neenah Paper, March 1, 2017
Neenah has announced the largest refresh to date of its comprehensive line of Neenah Digital Papers. The expansion includes the addition of 70 new items including new colors, new textures, added sheet sizes and basis weights. The Neenah Digital Papers portfolio now includes 22 brands, 19 unique textures, 60+ colors, as well as multiple packaging and label options.
“As advances in technology continue, we are seeing the digital printing market rapidly expand. Recent studies project the global market will continue to grow and remain strong through 2024. It is Neenah’s mission to fully support the expanding needs of this market by continuing to assess and evolve our digital offering across all applications from graphics to packaging,” said Greg Maze, Sales & Marketing Manager – Digital & Wide Format, Neenah.
The CLASSIC® Brand encompasses the largest area of expansion in the line with 64 new additions, for at total of 237 digital items. New additions include:
New Finishes: CLASSIC® Techweave and CLASSIC® Woodgrain: Digital options available in Solar White and new Bare White, in 100T, 100C, 130DTC.
New Colors: Eight new colors added to the digital lineup in CLASSIC CREST® Papers Smooth finish, as well as new Bare White added to CLASSIC® Stipple, CLASSIC CREST® in Eggshell and CLASSIC® Linen textures.
New Sizes: Additional 13x19 and 19x13 digital-ready sizes added across the CLASSIC® Brand.
Neenah® Digital Color Copy has expanded to include every basis weight available in the five standard digital sheet sizes including the B2 size (20.75x29.5)
The ENVIRONMENT® Papers line now includes the color Desert Storm in 130 double thick cover, in both 18x12 and 19x13 sizes.
New Swatchbook
The expanded portfolio is featured in the newly updated Neenah Digital Papers swatchbook. The book features the new CLASSIC® Woodgrain finish on the cover, and an added back pocket holding a fold out of information on Neenah’s popular dieline library. The library offers free, downloadable dielines for thousands of small run projects from pocket folders, hang tags and self-locking accordion fold mailers, to small boxes, door hangers and envelopes.
“One of the pain points for designers who work on small digital projects is that they can take just as much design time as larger projects do. That’s why we’ve invested in creating a comprehensive dieline library — to give customers a starting point to help them move through projects that much faster. Our digital offerings, dielines, swatchbooks, and promotions are all developed to help designers and printers achieve their production goals as efficiently and accurately as possible,” said Maze.
The Neenah Digital Papers portfolio offers a variety of choices for today’s changing digital world. With digital writing, text and cover papers, a selection of digital NEENAH® Folding Board, pressure sensitive digital ESTATE LABEL®, and the true cross platform Digital Color Copy Papers, you can expect exceptional performance on a wide variety of equipment such as office and desktop printers, copiers, and commercial digital printing presses.
For a free copy of the new Neenah Digital swatchbook, Just ask your Millcraft account manager.
Neenah to Exhibit Digital, Wide Format and Folding Board Portfolio at Dscoop 2017
Source: Neenah Paper, February 28, 2017
Neenah is exhibiting this week at Dscoop 2017, with a heavy focus on its newly expanded Neenah Digital Papers portfolio.
“Participating in Dscoop gives Neenah the opportunity to connect with like-minded printers, partners, and industry thought leaders. It’s a privilege to be part of a community that is continually seeking new innovations and new solutions for the digital print market. We are looking forward to debuting the new Neenah Digital Papers portfolio — the largest expansion to date of this line — at Dscoop,” said Greg Maze, Sales & Marketing Manager – Digital & Wide Format, Neenah.
In addition to the new Neenah Digital Papers lineup, Neenah will also showcase its NEENAH® Folding Board papers and NEENAH Wide Format portfolio at Dscoop.
The premium and versatile digital folding board items are designed for specialty, short-run packaging projects. Available in 18 and 24pt, Vellum finish and offered in Bright White, 100 PC White, and Deep Black, this high-performance board is perfect for cosmetic and fragrance boxes, hang tags, gift cards and carriers, and any small run project looking for a big shelf presence.
The paper-based NEENAH Wide Format portfolio offers more sustainable solutions for retailers and marketers who continue to seek viable alternatives to vinyl and other synthetic products. The expansive portfolio has nearly 70 product options, including the highly popular 100% paper-based conVerd® Board. This unique portfolio of both flexible and rigid wide format digital papers is perfect for applications such as trade show displays, exhibit materials, posters, in-store signage, wall murals, fine art prints, and more
Finch Paper Announces High-Speed Inkjet Brand-Expansion Plan
Source: Finch Paper, February 27, 2017
Finch Paper sets itself apart by providing printers with domestic solutions to capitalize on their high-speed inkjet investments. Making it easier than ever to select the right paper, Finch Paper has updated and expanded its paper brands - the most notable being the announcement of Finch Opaque Jet.
“Folding the Finch Inkjet Pi product into Finch’s legendary brand, Finch Opaque, is a win-win for our loyal direct mail customers,” said Greg Maio, vice president of sales of Finch Paper. “Corporate buyers who have previously specified Finch Opaque can fast track the approval process for Finch Opaque Jet on inkjet platforms.” Greg continues, “It’s a brand that is immediately recognized and trusted.”
The design and specifications of Finch Opaque Jet have not changed. The 96-bright sheet is treated for pigmented inkjet systems and is available in basis weights from 45 lb. text to 130 lb. text/ 9 pt. reply. The shade matches Finch Opaque’s expansive line for sheetfed and web offset printing as well as Finch Opaque Digital for toner-based printing.
Expanding its line of on-demand book papers, Finch has added three text weights to the Finch Smartbook family. Finch Smartbook Jet Text is a treated, 92-bright substrate used for pigmented inkjet applications requiring higher black ink densities than standard offset papers. Finch Smartbook Jet Text delivers ultra-crisp reproduction and optimizes the cost of consumables.
“Our customers value Finch’s optimized approach for each segment,” said Greg Maio. “Finch Opaque Jet is positioned to support our commercial print and direct mail customers as they realize inkjet’s speed, flexibility, and superior results.”
Mohawk Expands Digital Fine Paper Offering with Introduction of Curious Collection® Digital Papers with i-Tone®
Source: Mohawk, March 1, 2016
In its latest expression of support for the HP Indigo printer community, Mohawk has announced the expansion of its digital fine paper portfolio with the launch of the new Curious Collection Papers Digital with i-Tone.
In May of 2015, Mohawk and Arjowiggins Creative Papers announced a groundbreaking strategic alliance. With this first-of-its-kind partnership in the fine paper industry, two world-class paper manufacturers agreed to share manufacturing facilities, expertise and proprietary technologies. Arjowiggins and Mohawk are like-minded fine paper manufacturers with legendary brands that have driven the fine paper segment for over a century. The companies share core values of heritage, innovation, operational excellence, craftsmanship, safety-focused manufacturing, environmental commitment and social responsibility.
Marking the next milestone in the alliance, Mohawk is excited to announce the launch of new Curious Collection Digital with i-Tone papers designed for digital print applications and manufactured by Arjowiggins Creative Papers. These new products feature Mohawk’s proprietary i-Tone surface chemistry designed to enhance ink/toner adhesion and improve runnability on digital presses. Available exclusively through Mohawk in North America, these new products are extraordinary papers designed to provide saturated color, unique appearance or unusual texture.
“Mohawk’s partnership with Arjowiggins Creative Papers is rooted in our common commitment to elevating print with beautiful materials,” according to Bart Robinson, SVP Marketing at Mohawk, “this new range of Curious Collection Digital with i-Tone is the latest expression of this as we expand the opportunity for HP Indigo printers around the world to use paper to make print more beautiful, effective and memorable.”
This new offering includes a carefully curated range of colors and four luxe, unique textures from The Curious Collection:
Curious Metallics Digital with i-Tone
Curious Matter Digital with i-Tone
Curious Skin Digital with i-Tone
Curious Translucent Digital with i-Tone
For more information about the complete portfolio of paper and non-paper materials for print, Just ask your Millcraft account manager.
Mohawk Expands Wide Format Inkjet Portfolio with New Line of Printable Textiles and Canvas
Source: Mohawk, February 28, 2017
Mohawk has announced the expansion of its wide format inkjet portfolio with the launch of a new line of Mohawk Printable Textiles and Canvas, Engineered by Aurora, for the latex, UV, and Solvent printers.
The items within the new line are manufactured in the United States by Aurora Specialty Textiles Group, a North American-based, global leader in the manufacturing of high quality textile substrates for printing.
“Mohawk is pleased to partner with Aurora to expand our wide format product offering. Aurora offers a best-in-class portfolio of printable textiles and canvas that allows Mohawk to truly serve as a one-stop-shop for our customers’ wide format printing needs,” said Mike Madura, Vice President, Digital Solutions, Mohawk.
With this launch, Mohawk becomes the exclusive distributor through the North American merchant channel for Aurora Specialty Textiles Group, adding 12 products to its Wide Format Inkjet portfolio. The products will be available for preview at the Dscoop Conference in Phoenix this week.
For more information on Mohawk's Wide Format Inkjet Product Line, which is available for order starting on March 15, Just ask your Millcraft account manager.
Verso's Coated Sheetfed and Digital Paper Portfolios Go Whiter and Brilliantly Brighter
Source: Verso, March 1, 2017
Verso Corporation has announced an increase in the brightness and whiteness of every product in its coated sheetfed and digital paper portfolios, and introduced Brilliantly Brighter, a new printed promotion showcasing these products.
"Verso continues to invest in our Graphic Papers business as we collaborate with our customers to meet their long-term needs and address market trends," said Verso President of Graphic Papers Mike Weinhold. "Customers want a paper supplier who listens to them, responds effectively to the evolving marketplace and invests for the future, and Verso is committed to doing all three."
"We're not just changing one grade, we are increasing the brightness of our entire sheetfed and digital paper portfolios," said Verso Brand Manager Tanya Pipo. "We've also improved the shade of these products, making them a cleaner, crisper, whiter white. Our customers asked for brighter, whiter products without increasing their cost or compromising performance – and we are delivering."
Sterling® Premium, Sterling® Premium Digital™ and Sterling® Premium Digital™ for HP Indigo increased from 94 to 96 brightness. Anthem Plus®, Blazer Digital®, Productolith® Pts. and Productolith Pts. Digital® increased from 90 to 92 brightness. All of these products are featured with beautiful printing demonstrations in the Brilliantly Brighter promotion.
To learn more about Verso's graphic papers, Just ask your Millcraft account manager.
2017 Premier Print Awards Now Open for Submissions
Source: Printing Industries of America, March 2, 2017
Printing Industries of America is now accepting submissions for the 2017 Premier Print Awards competition honoring print excellence. This international competition is open to all companies involved in the creation or production of print communications. Students and student groups from high school, vocational school, or college print production programs are also encouraged to enter.
All entries must be received by May 19, 2017. An early-bird discount is available until April 21, 2017. Entries may be submitted at awards.printing.org. All entries are competing for the coveted Best of Category “Benny” award in recognition of superior craftsmanship. Entries may also be recognized with an Award of Recognition of Certificate of Merit.
There are more than 100 individual categories of competition ranging from traditional brochures and magazines to the boundary pushing, “They Said It Couldn’t Be Done.” Other categories include binders, magazines, posters, packaging and labels, innovation, green printing, digital printing, and more.
This year, the Premier Print Awards competition added six new categories. Digital Enhancement Printing is now a featured category in Postpress and Finishing Techniques while Decorative Printing, Fabric/Textile Printing, 3D Printing, Functional Printing, and Industrial Printing were additions to the growing popularity of Specialty Printing. There is no limit to the number of pieces that may be entered or for the number of categories in which a piece may be entered. Some sub-categories allow for competition within parameters such as employee count. For a full listing of all categories, visit www.printing.org/ppacategories.
What the Printing Industry can Learn from Craft Brewing
Source: Matthew Parker, Profitable Print Relationships blog
On his Profitable Print Relationships website blog page, UK-based printing industry consultant Matthew Parker compares running a printing business to running a brew pub. It all comes down to whether you have a volume-based business or a high-margin business.
Volume-based businesses need a lot of customers to keep the operation busy and profitable, which means selling good quality products at an affordable price.
Parker writes, "There are a lot of printing companies that are based on the same business model. They need a lot of print to keep their presses busy. The only way that they are going to keep those presses busy is by charging affordable prices. Just like the pub that we visited, they need to make sure that they keep the competition at bay.
"The trouble is that there are a lot of other pubs and printing companies that have exactly the same business model. Everyone is competing for the same customers. It can be hard to differentiate between different offerings."
A high margin business, on the other hand, focuses more on premium quality and premium priced products and service. And its customer base is typically smaller and highly targeted....those who are looking for the highest quality and are prepared to pay for it.
Describing the high margin craft brew business, Parker writes, "As a result, they did not have to sell nearly as much beer. They made a much higher profit on the beers that they offered. They had a smaller building so they needed less customers. They also had less stock management issues as they only offered four beers at a time."
"Many printing companies might do better to focus on fewer customers and making more money from them. This means focusing on a small group of premium customers. It means specialising in the products and services that you offer. It also requires people to sell and market well and to make sure that they walk away from work that is priced purely to keep presses busy."
Sappi Named Winner of Distinguished WorldStar 2017 Award
Source: Sappi, March 1, 2017
Members of the World Packaging Organisation (WPO) recently judged Sappi’s Algro Guard OHG barrier packaging paper a winner in the food category of the distinguished WorldStar 2017 Awards. Representatives from Sappi’s Functional Papers product group will accept the award during the prestigious WorldStar Awards Presentations and Gala Dinner to be held in Dusseldorf at Interpack 2017.
The WorldStar Competition is one of the major events conducted by the World Packaging Organisation and is the preeminent international award in the packaging industry. WorldStar celebrates the continual advancement of packaging design and technology and creates a standard for international packaging excellence.
The award-winning Sappi Guard barrier packaging papers from Sappi’s Functional Papers product group was introduced to the market in 2016 and was also the recipient of the prestigious German Packaging Award 2016 in the New Materials category.
“Sappi is pleased to be recognized by the WPO with this esteemed award,” said Kerstin Dietze, Marketing Manager Speciality Papers at Sappi. “Market interest in the innovative Sappi Guard high barrier paper-based packaging solution has proven extremely positive since its inception last year, indicating the strong demand for a highly sustainable alternative in flexible packaging applications.”
Advanced solution in paper-based packaging
The Sappi Guard packaging papers from Sappi with integrated barriers and heat sealing properties is an attractive solution that is specifically optimised for gravure and flexo printing.
The innovative papers, such as Algro Guard OHG provides integrated barriers against oxygen, water vapor, grease, aroma and mineral oil without the need for additional coatings or adhesives, reducing both costs and environmental footprint. Offering an alternative to foil and plastics, Algro Guard OHG makes packaging production simpler and more efficient. More than 80% of this paper-based packaging solution is comprised of renewable materials.
SGIA Brings Digital Print Technologies to Packaging Source: SGIA, March 1, 2017
SGIA President & CEO Ford Bowers met with representatives of Durst North America, EFI, Fujifilm North America, HP and Inca Digital this month to discuss the need for a space in the industry to present to the packaging community the new and transformative digital printing technologies coming to market.
“Just as SGIA served as a key resource and catalyst for the wide-format screen print conversion to digital, it stands ready to do the same with packaging,” said Bowers.
SGIA encompasses several market segments, including wide-format graphics, textile and industrial printing, that have adopted digital printing technologies, and the SGIA Expo is the largest trade show representing the widest range of digital technology in North America.
“While there are very strong trade associations serving corrugated, folding carton and flexible packaging companies, there is also a clear need to showcase the range of digital printing technologies that have the potential to transform how these providers serve their clients,” said Bowers. “SGIA and the SGIA Expo are long-time champions of digital technologies and techniques; it’s only natural that we’d share our understanding with other industry segments early in their adoption cycle.”
“The packaging market is firmly moving down the path of digital adoption. A single presence that encompasses a range of technologies and venues for exchanging information will be a strong benefit to them. It will also address the fragmentation in the marketplace, making it easier for newcomers to explore a multitude of options,” Bowers said.
Believe It: Far Off the Radar, Print Magazines Are Thriving
Source: Tony Silber, Folio:, February 28, 2017
Last week, on the same day, two of the smartest people I know in magazine printing emailed me separately with a nearly identical message: That far from the turmoil enveloping many major consumer-magazine companies, and away from the spotlight, small magazines and the brands that surround them are thriving.
“In meeting after meeting with publishers, I see the cognitive dissonance you describe in Half Full Glass,” says Wayne M. Peterson, executive vice president and COO of Lane Press, the South Burlington, Vermont-based short-to-mid-run printer. “It’s visceral.”
And David Pilcher, vice president of sales and marketing for Freeport, Ohio-based Freeport Press, says, “You ask the valid question of how to reconcile two vastly divergent narratives in our industry: The ‘golden age of magazines’ versus a period of consolidation and turbulence in the mass market media.”
For Freeport Press, Pilcher says, it’s the former, at least for trusted, highly focused media brands that have learned critical lessons about the value of paid content and subscriptions, and are unabashed supporters of print advertising and print media in general.
“Publishers are getting savvier about targeting the most specific audience they can find, and publishing accordingly,” Pilcher says. “Magazine media brands are moving past the disruption and toward a renewed focus on print ads, as they use their subscription data to support their value with advertisers.”
FSC has published a revised version of its Chain of Custody (CoC) Certification Standard (FSC-STD-40-004 V3-0), after more than two years of development and several public consultations.
Existing Certificate Holders can choose to switch to follow the new standard as soon as it comes into force on 1 April 2017. By the end of the transition period – 31 March 2018 – all companies must be audited against the new standard.
This standard is applicable to all organisations that manufacture, process or trade FSC-certified products.
Finnish Startup Paptic Ltd Plans Paper Machine Investment to Challenge Plastic with Wood-based Packaging Material
Source: Paptic, February 2017
Finnish startup company Paptic Ltd is planning a paper machine investment to upscale the production of its patented PAPTIC material to industrial scale. Paptic’s business model is built on strong partnering in the traditional paper industry value network. The forest industry has closed down a lot of paper manufacturing capacity in recent years. Paptic seeks to take advantage of this existing infrastructure to upscale production with a capital-efficient model. Sharing infrastructure also creates significant synergies when production begins.
Plastic waste accumulating in the seas and oceans is a global problem. Replacing plastic with wood-based packaging solutions for short life packaging applications is one of the key ways to meet the challenge.
”The interest in Paptic’s products from the international consumer products business sector has been greater than anticipated. To meet the demand we need to increase the production capacity now”, says Chief Business Development Officer Esa Torniainen.
The cost efficiency of Paptic’s upscaling model is based on the utilization of existing paper producing environments. In addition to being cost-effective this also allows for starting up production faster. Paptic is currently in discussions concerning investment locations and possible co-operation models with selected paper manufacturers.
”Judging from the number of contacts we have received both in Finland and from around the world there are many factories interested in the possibilities the new product can bring to expand plant operations and strengthen its ability to succeed in the future”, says CEO Mustonen, and encourages companies to contact Paptic if they are interested in cooperation. The market that Paptic aspires to, flexible packaging in its various forms, is many times that of a single machine capacity.
“Our products enable the creation of a new fibre-based packaging material brand. The demand for bio-based products is growing rapidly, and that is why now is the right time to bring in a new sustainable alternative to the market. Together with our partners and investors, we will make Paptic a bioeconomy success story “, Mustonen sums up.
Visit Millcraft's website or contact Susan Morgan, Millcraft's Corporate Projects Manager, for additional information on Millcraft's business awards and national diversity and environmental certifications.
On his 
Last week, on the same day, two of the smartest people I know in magazine printing emailed me separately with a nearly identical message: That far from the turmoil enveloping many major consumer-magazine companies, and away from the spotlight, small magazines and the brands that surround them are thriving.
