It’s been interesting to see the evolution of packaging and ink. For many consumers, the ink on the packaging is the way they identify the brands they buy; Coke Red and Tide Orange come to mind. The reality, though, is that inks play a much more sophisticated role.

As contributing editor Dave Savastano notes in his article, “The Packaging Ink Market,” which begins on page 12, packaging and packaging inks have come a long way in recent years. The inks impart functional characteristics, such as gloss, chemical and water resistance, to name a few, but recent developments in inks are showing unique technical advances.

These advances are being driven by the increasing interest in sustainability. What is really promising is the role that inks are playing in recycling and compostability. Leading ink industry executives offer their insights into the evolution of packaging and inks, and the possibilities appear limitless. Another advance worth mentioning is the shift to mono-materials—primarily polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP)—to create fully recyclable, single-polymer packaging, often replacing multi-
material laminates. 

I would also like to take this time to introduce myself. Long-time readers of Ink World might recognize my name. I started writing for Ink World in 2001 as an associate editor. I am delighted to be back as editor and look forward to learning more about this dynamic industry. Please feel free to reach out to me via email with any feedback and suggestions on topics that would be of interest to you.

Kerry Pianoforte
Ink World Editor
kpianoforte@rodmanmedia.com