Xeikon, dedicated to labels at Labelexpo Europe 2011

New hardware and software ensure Xeikon delivers business winning solutions

Eede, The Netherlands, July 2011 – Xeikon announces its participation to Labelexpo Europe 2011. At the show, the company will showcase an impressive line-up of five solutions dedicated to digital label printing, including digital label presses, converting lines and integrated software. On stand 45 in Hall 9, Xeikon will present a wide web label solution with its Xeikon 3500, the most productive digital label press available on the market. The show will also mark the launch of the DCoat500 that will be showcased ’in World Première’ as the in-line finishing solution of the Xeikon 3500.

Besides participating in the Package Printing Zone, Xeikon is again one of the challengers in the Digital Print Workshops where the company demonstrates the advantages of its dry toner technology in terms of quality, sustainability, flexibility and profitability. Xeikon will also take the opportunity to underline its position as an innovator of choice in the label industry, unveiling a number of new developments in workflow and finishing.

“Labelexpo is one of the industry’s leading events and it has achieved this status because of its clear focus. Also at Xeikon, we are dedicated to label production and we're looking forward to present our latest innovations at this year's show edition in Belgium," says Filip Weymans, Business Development Manager Labels & Packaging at Xeikon. "Following the introduction of the Xeikon 3000 Series at Labelexpo Americas last year, we now bring our series of digital label presses to the label converters in Europe. With the newest Xeikon 3500 and Xeikon 3050 on the show ground, we'll highlight the wide range of business opportunities that go far beyond self-adhesive labels such as heat transfer labels, wetglue labels, folding carton, POP/POS..... We are proud to be present with three of our presses during the show as it reflects how fast the market embraced our technology."

Launch of DCoat500 makes the Xeikon 3500 even more productive
Following the introduction of the wider Xeikon 3500 digital label press last year, Xeikon responds to its customers' requirements by completing this solution with a wider converting line. Launching the DCoat500, Xeikon concludes its range of existing finishing solutions DCoat330, UCoat500 and the miniDCoat330. With this latest addition to Xeikon's product portfolio, the company offers a unique solution for complete self-adhesive label production, from prepress over printing to finishing on a 500 mm/20” web width.

Depending on the label printer's production necessities, the DCoat500 can be placed in-line or off-line, making it a highly flexible solution. The DCoat500 provides the finishing touch by applying a UV varnish or lamination. It also incorporates a die-cut station able to operate full rotary or semi rotary, which is an ideal and cost-effective solution for the short to medium runs. In addition, it includes slitting and rewinding features for the last stage of the production.

Expertise on display
To demonstrate the performance capabilities offered by Xeikon's technology and expertise, the company can be found in three separate locations around the show:

• The Xeikon 3500 with in-line DCoat500 @ Xeikon stand 45 (Hall 9) – Presenting its complete range of digital label printing and finishing solutions. Visitors will discover the business potential and benefits of running an in-line solution for print and finish.

• The Xeikon 3300 with in-line DCoat330 @ the Digital Print Workshops (Hall 9) – In the ultimate challenge visitors will see Xeikon battle it out with other press manufacturers to demonstrate how different digital processes – inkjet, dry toner and liquid toner – produce the same label job on identical substrates matching a color proof. A neutral moderator will run the workshops. Visitors will learn how to set up and run each label press to optimize label print performance and quality, assess new product and market opportunities and compare print quality and performance.

• The Xeikon 3050 @ Package Printing Zone (Hall 12) – A new feature of Labelexpo where live demonstrations of digital package printing by companies such as Xeikon enable visitors to discover how narrow and mid web presses can be used for short-run packaging applications. They will learn that as print runs are getting shorter, it becomes even more cost-effective to adopt machinery traditionally used for label printing. Xeikon will build up its live demonstration around the production of a consumer product launch that involves a variety of materials such as wet-glue labels, heat transfer labels, folding cartons and POS/POP.

New business opportunities with heat transfer applications
Together with its partner MOSS, a leader in container decorating technologies, Xeikon will also showcase on its stand the 'Digitube' applicator for decorating flexible seamless tubes, aluminum closures and similar articles. This heat transfer technology allows to decorate a variety of plastic containers and others through digital printing technology. In the first stage of this process, the Xeikon 3500 prints the exact numbers of heat-transfer labels required for the decoration. In the next step, the roll of printed transfers is fed into the MOSS applicator which perfectly applies the label via a heat transfer process onto the container.

The result is a high-quality, digitally printed and applied decoration that is scratch and water resistant. In addition, it offers a higher flexibility as the decoration can be applied later in the supply chain, compared to traditional methods (screen and offset printing), where it must be printed at the very beginning. Xeikon will demonstrate this live at the booth, clearly showing the new business opportunities of heat transfer technology to label printers and converters.

“There is a lot happening at the show and we are delighted to be part of the many interactive opportunities that give us the chance to highlight our real-time capabilities in an independent environment,” concludes Weymans. “We look forward to inform visitors at the show of what is possible with our range of technology-led, market-focused solutions. At our stand, they can discover a range of real-life customer cases that will be displayed with samples, videos and presentations. And learn more about how they can use our technologies to improve their business. ”

About the Xeikon 3000 Series
The Xeikon 3000 Series includes four digital label presses: the entry-level Xeikon 3030, the Xeikon 3050 with wider web width; the high-volume Xeikon 3300 and the flagship model Xeikon 3500. Based on open industry standards, the Xeikon solution fit seamlessly into any production environment, increasing customer's efficiency and flexibility. The four presses all deliver the same print quality and are divided into two maximum web widths: 330 mm (13”) and 516 mm (20.3”), with each width available in entry-level or the higher productivity versions. Entry-level versions are designed to be field-upgraded to the wider and/or faster specifications.

The full rotary technology combined with variable repeat length allows printing at maximum speed, regardless the size of the labels. It also allows to print labels of different formats and sizes in the same run. The print speed is unaffected by the number of colors used. An inline densitometer ensures automatic density and register control, and allows fine-tuning during printing. The Xeikon 3000 Series uses the QA-I toner that was developed for the label market and delivers significant benefits in terms of image quality, light fastness, food safety and ecology.

Over the years Xeikon also gained an extensive knowledge of print media by teaming up with partners worldwide. As a result, all models can print on an unrivalled range of substrates without pre-coat, including various self-adhesive materials such as co-extruded films, Bopp, PVC and PET, paperboards, paper with weights ranging from 40 to 350 gsm and transparent and opaque foils.

About Xeikon
A pioneer in digital printing, Xeikon designs, develops and delivers high-end digital colour printing systems for the industrial, document and commercial printing market segments. These systems are composed of advanced web-fed printing engines using LED-array-based, dry toner electrophotography, open workflow software, exclusive toner and other consumables. Xeikon’s production and R&D operations are based in Belgium and its solutions are distributed and supported through a worldwide sales and service network. Xeikon is a division of Punch Graphix. For more information, visit www.xeikon.com.

For more information regarding this press release, please contact:

Michel Peeters
Marketing Communications Manager
Xeikon International BV
Brieverstraat 70 – 4529 GZ Eede, The Netherlands
T. +31 (0)117 37 50 20 - M. +32 (0)494 543 625
michel.peeters@xeikon.com - www.xeikon.com

PR Agency Xeikon International BV
Duomedia Public Relations
Stan Lemmens
Drève Des Catulas 5 – 7850 Petit-Enghien - Belgium
T. +32 (0)2 454 85 50 - M. +32 (0)472 34 65 17
stan.l@duomedia.com - www.duomedia.com