Xeikon releases new entry level digital label solution

Digital print engine pioneer Xeikon is launching a new entry-level label printing and finishing solution, which the company says is offered at a price point that brings the lucrative label market squarely within reach for label converters of all sizes.

The Label Discovery solution consists of a Xeikon 3030, an entry-level web-fed digital label press and the new entryDcoat, a digital converting line that can be used inline or offline with the Xeikon 3030. The new solution will be featured at the company’s booth at Labelexpo Americas at the end of the month.

Trevor Crowley, general manager for Xeikon in Australia and New Zealand says, “It is an end-to-end label print and finishing solution at a price point that will encourage new entrants to the digital labels market.

“Printers that have been using letterpress or older flexo presses will certainly be looking at the new Xeikon solution. It will prove an attractive proposition to printers and label converters looking to get into digital labels.

“The new Xeikon 3030 + entry Dcoat is essentially a 3030 with a couple of the high value ticket items taken out, the speed stepped down, and an offline finishing solution provided.”

The company says that in addition to enabling an affordable entry into the digital label market, the Label Discovery solution is a platform that can be field upgraded in terms of productivity as the business grows, ensuring long-term viability of the investment.

The Xeikon 3030 digital label press is a dry toner solution ideal for producing labels for a broad range of applications using standard flexo materials. This avoids the need to use specially-treated substrates, and eliminates the associated warehousing costs. Its five-colour printing features CMYK and white or a special spot or gamut-extending colour.
According to Xeikon changing toner colours on the system is relatively easy, a clear benefit of dry toner compared to other printing technologies.

In addition, dry toner is recognised as the best technology for food labels in terms of food safety due to its non-toxic nature. Xeikon dry toner has also received FDA certification for both indirect and direct food contact with dry food. UV flexo printing is currently not suitable for food and beverage packaging due to migration issues.

The entryDCoat is a compact converting unit which consists of a varnish, die-cut and rewind station. To limit startup and tooling costs, the die-cut unit uses semi-rotary die-cutting technology. This ensures the lowest cost converting without loss of productivity while still delivering the well-known quality of conventional die-cutting. With semi-rotary die-cutting, costs can be reduced by as much as 50 per cent with no need to acquire special tools and no setup time as required with conventional die-cutting.

“We are looking forward to featuring the Label Discovery solution at a busy and exciting Labelexpo Americas,” said Filip Weymans, Xeikon’s vice president of Marketing. “We will also be demonstrating the Xeikon PX3000 UV inkjet label press, as well as the toner-based Xeikon 3500 and Xeikon CX3 presses, offering attendees the ability to evaluate multiple technologies to determine what best meets their label needs.

“We also are pleased to be participating in the American debut of Labelexpo’s Automation Arena, illustrating the industry 4.0 enabled, automated self-adhesive digital label production. Xeikon label experts will be available throughout the show to speak with visitors about their business needs and provide guidance on the best possible ways to profit and grow.