THIN IS IN

摘要

Driven by brand owner desires for lower costs, thinner substrates-some just 23 microns or thinner-have become increasingly common on the presses of many converters. On one hand, thinner stocks can reduce material costs, require fewer reel changes, and can decrease waste and reel weight. But thin materials can also pose difficulties for converters when it comes to diecutting and trimming. "As stocks become thinner, the operating window for diecutting becomes smaller, especially as you consider the separation of the waste matrix," says David Morris, president of Kocher & Beck. "But a lot depends on the nature of the facestock and the adhesive. Typically with papers you require a bursting action and the blade doesn't need to penetrate fully though the material to allow clean matrix removal, while synthetics require a full clean cut without damaging the liner."