Converting

Converting includes the necessary technical operations to transform materials – i.e. paper or plastic sheets or rolls, usually printed – into finished products ready to be used for labelling and packaging.

Converting applications include virtually all packaged, labelled or packed manufactured goods.

Converting encompasses all operations and technical solutions (machinery and consumables), i.e. die-cutting, varnishing, laminating, folding, embossing, stamping, gilding, creasing, perforating.

Graphic consumables such as inks, varnishes, substrate gilding or metallizing products are also used in the converting arena.

 The terms "finishing" or "forwarding" may also be considered as equivalent to CONVERTING in the traditional printing sector (i.e. book, booklet, magazine, form … printing).

By Patrick CAHUET, market expert and GRAPHITEC consultant