Esko has bought Tilia Labs, one of the leading providers of imposition and nesting software and a developer with artificial intelligence experience. The purchase takes Esko downstream into imposition for labels, cartons and large format output and the potential for tighter integration with its own design and prepress production software.
Imposition is becoming an increasingly important component of a workflow for packaging thanks to shorter production runs, proliferation of skus, increasing use of digital presses and the drive to reduce waste. The Tilia software calculates the optimum distribution of labels and carton blanks across the output devices to keep waste to a minimum. Artificial intelligence algorithms will automate the decision making needed to cope with late changes to order numbers or a change in output device.
The software developer has already created integrations with Esko and sister company Enfocus along with PrintIQ, MIS provider Dataline, Claris (Filemaker), Zund, Cerm and PrintIQ. It works closely with various other partners, sometimes indirectly. This includes Tharstern, Fujifilm XMF and Heidelberg Prinect for the commercial print version of its software. This is in use at photobook printer Albelli in the Netherlands where it improves productivity on its Indigo 5000 web press.
The flagship software is Phoenix which reached V8.0 earlier this year. It included making the Enfocus Switch connector and open source product to encourage integration. It updated the PDF rendering engine to make estimates of ink consumption more accurate, and included improvements to how it calculates the options on print production and finishing.
Tilia Aries is designed for digital printing of labels, Griffin for nesting freeform shapes on large format inkjet presses.
Under Esko ownership integration will become tighter and will help brands and converters work out the best ways to organise production. Mattias Bystrom, VP and group executive for product identification at Esko owner Danaher, adds: “This acquisition also underlines our commitment to delivering the tolls that service to connect brands and converters.”
Sagen de Jonge, one of the founders of Tilia Labs and its CEO, says: “We have long shared a common goal with Esko of empowering businesses to improve ways of working, eradicate waste and optimise operational processes to meet the challenges they face today and tomorrow.”
