EskoArtwork is presenting not only its well-known solutions for professional packaging pre-production, the company is also bringing new 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.
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
EskoArtwork also demonstrated 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
www.esko.com
