EskoArtwork presents not only its well-known market leading solutions for professional packaging pre-production, the company also brings now tools for designers and brand owners that increase production capacity. These tools dramatically improve functions like packaging design, packaging collaboration and approval workflows, sample and mock-up production. Products include Esko Visualizer, which can convert 2D designs into 3-D ‘virtual’ simulations, and the novel Esko Dynamic Content, a new solution to automatic designs within Adobe® Illustrator®, in which text is linked dynamically to an XML-database. EskoArtwork will also introduce the concept of ‘Protective Packaging’, demonstrating how packaging designers and producers can benefit using CAM/CAD techniques to develop protective packaging using triple-wall corrugated containers on the outside, and layers of specially designed corrugated paperboard and foam as protective materials on the inside. “With years of experience, EskoArtwork has built an extensive knowledge base in the design and production of packaging. With this ‘wisdom’ comes the market savvy and technical expertise to develop new, innovative tools,” comments Tom Eric Naess EskoArtwork CAM product manager.

Esko Visualizer: Interactive, virtual 3D product representations:

Early in the design phase, designers, brand owners and packaging producers must accurately evaluate the impact of substrates, inks and special finishes on the design of the final product. Using patented technology, Esko Visualizer takes graphic information of a printed piece, interprets or adds information about substrates, special inks and finishes, and delivers a variety of realistic moving, interactive 3D representations of the final product—all within a variety of in-store lighting environments and backgrounds. Because mock-ups can be shared instantly by e-mail or web, communication and collaboration involved in the creative and approval process is greatly enhanced and accelerated. Esko Visualizer further helps to avoid misunderstandings and errors, reduces costs and delays linked to physical mock-ups and comps and speeds up new products into production.

Esko Dynamic Content: Linking brand owner text to Adobe® Illustrator®

At Interpack, EskoArtwork demonstrates Esko Dynamic Content. This unique plug-in for Adobe® Illustrator® CS2 and CS3 (Macs and PCs), dynamically links text content to the design, allowing brand owners to maintain and edit their own packaging text, which is pulled from a content management system onto packaging.

Protective Packaging: Taking weight away from cartons

Using EskoArtwork's suite of CAD and graphics design software, pre-production tools and samplemaking systems, converters can offer their customers the best services in producing marketing tools for consumer product companies and retailers: sample boxes, promotional materials, counter displays, point-of-purchase setups—even complete in-store decorations. Using the same tools, EskoArtwork will introduce the innovative concept of ‘Protective Packaging’ at Interpack. Corrugated cardboard up to 15 mm thick can support very heavy items and measures up well to wood, in dry conditions. By replacing wooden boxes with corrugated paperboard and fibreboard, the weight of a container can be reduced by as much as 25%. Using the Esko Kongsberg XL table and ArtiosCAD software, safe shipping containers can be custom produced for all kinds and shapes of cargo, using triple-wall corrugated outside containers and lighter foam and corrugated cardboard protective inserts. Design files prepared in ArtiosCAD are directly imported to the Kongsberg XL table, which automatically produces the complete, protective packaging. Design is assisted with a new ArtiosCAD module, CAD X, which includes design from FEFCO standards, 3W templates and interface to ArtiosCAD. The result is lower shipping costs and less waste. At Interpack, EskoArtwork will demonstrate various custom-made samples using these materials.

EskoArtwork Conference Presentation

EskoArtwork will also be active in areas outside of its stand. On Thursday April 24 at 2.45 pm, Dieter Jan Janout, Global Director Brand Owners, EskoArtwork, will be giving a conference presentation about the requirements of brand owners, entitled: ‘Changing the rules of the game for advanced packaging implementation’. The Pro Carton presence is arranged according to five themes, including convenience. Supporting this topic, EskoArtwork is initiating and participating in a creative project utilizing carton materials and innovative packaging techniques.

About Pro Carton

Pro Carton is the European Association of Carton and Cartonboard manufacturers. Bringing together two elements of the supply chain, its main purpose is to promote the use of cartons and cartonboard as widely as possible. Operating in 15 countries across Europe with links in other parts of the world, Pro Carton seeks to inform the whole of the packaging chain of the most up to date developments in the industries as well as offering various other events and activities to help brand owners, retailers and designers understand what is happening in the field of cartons and cartonboard.

About EskoArtwork

EskoArtwork is a global supplier and integrator of innovative solutions for packaging, commercial printing and professional publishing. Its products and services help customers raise productivity, reduce time-to-market, lower costs and expand business. EskoArtwork is the worldwide market leader with pre-production and collaboration software for packaging buyers, designers and manufacturers. Esko CDI flexo computer-to-plate imagers and Esko Kongsberg short-run converting tables complete the portfolio for the packaging, label, signage and display industries. The company also provides a range of workflow solutions for the commercial printing and publishing market, as well as the Enfocus suite of PDF tools for graphic designers and print production professionals. EskoArtwork employs around 1,000 people worldwide. Its global sales and support organization covers Europe, the Americas, Asia/Pacific and Japan, and is completed by a network of distribution partners in more than 40 countries. EskoArtwork is headquartered in Gent, Belgium, and has R&D and manufacturing facilities in 6 European countries and the United States. Total revenues in 2006 amounted to EUR 173.5 million, with an EBITDA of EUR 30.4 million.

EskoArtwork will be present in hall 7A, stand B05, as a member of the Pro Carton organization, the European Association of Carton and Cartonboard manufacturers.