Ocean, NJ, – Graphic Art Systems, Inc, the leading developer and manufacturer of foil enhancement equipment for the printing industry for over 20 years, announced today that it has completed the installation of its Eco-Eagle Cold Foil system at DISC, a leading source of specialty packaging solutions.
 
"After thorough research, DISC selected the Eco-Eagle Cold Foil system from Graphic Art Systems as a value-added finishing technique for its packaging production due to the manufacturer's extensive experience and its leadership in the design and manufacture of print enhancement equipment," says Margaret Krumholz, president of DISC.  "We are very excited by the creative choices that this advanced foil application process offers our clients.  Designers can achieve stunning graphic effects on packaging by overprinting translucent ink colors onto spot or overall silver foil areas, or film casting for a holographic-like effect."  
 
"We are honored to have such a prestigious client as DISC," says Michael King, president of Graphic Art Systems.  "Being selected by DISC, a recognized leader in the commercial printing and packaging industry, is a testament to the quality of the Eco-Eagle and the mission of Graphic Art Systems. We have spent an extensive amount of research and development on the technology utilized in the Eco-Eagle."
 
DISC has retrofitted the Eco-Eagle system to its eight-color 40-inch Heidelberg offset press equipment to accommodate the cold foil application.  For DISC clients the Eco-Eagle provides the benefits of high quality performance and reliability, efficient machine-ability and cost effectiveness. Spot or overall foil coverage is inline and then overprinted at standard press speeds.  The process utilizes standard printing plates and features set-up times of less than 10 minutes.  Eco-Eagle is completely automated thereby eliminating the human interface and operator/machine intervention. Thus, the operator does not need extensive training, special experience or additional skills.  "We believe that the Eco-Eagle will provide us with speed and enhanced quality," says Krumholz.
 
DISC also chose the Eco-Eagle system for its environmentally-friendly features, an important component of DISC's corporate identity. Since 2007, DISC has been FSC chain-of-custody certified as well as an EPA Green Power Partner. Plus, the company promotes sustainable packaging practices through its DISCover Green program. Due to the innovative technology on the Eco-Eagle, DISC has the flexibility to apply a single 40" width of foil or multiple widths of foil, in any combination, as narrow as two inches. This ability greatly reduces foil cost and consumption for DISC.  In addition, the Eco-Eagle operates on about the same amount of electricity as a 1,500 watt hair dryer, helping DISC to use less energy in its production environment.
 
The installation of the Eco-Eagle system and its on-site training went very well. "The Eco-Eagle was installed in only four days," says Krumholz. "This enabled us to get the press back into production and meet critical client delivery dates. The Eco-Eagle is operator-friendly and requires no mechanical, electrical or computer adjustments. The learning curve was relatively easy and the installation was right on schedule."