Leading digital press supplier Xeikon enjoyed yet another successful Packaging Innovations show in Birmingham at the end of February. The company was celebrating the sale of its fifth Xeikon CX3 digital label press in the UK following the decision of fellow show exhibitor CS Labels to invest in its second such machine. Another recent customer for the machine, The LabelMakers of Bradford, were also exhibiting at Packaging Innovations. Further Xeikon CX3 units have been installed at Abbey Labels in Bury St. Edmunds and at Mercian Labels in Staffordshire.

Commenting on the UK success, Filip Weymans, Director Segment Marketing and Business Development Labels and Packaging at Xeikon, said: “We have a very strong installed base of label and packaging presses in the UK. They give us regular feedback on the market and their ever-increasing levels of success. Many have been saying that they are running close to capacity with their existing equipment and have been asking us for an even faster solution. We have now developed a press that can provide them with the speed that they need, and customers are showing their commitment to Xeikon and its products by investing in the new product."

The Xeikon CX3, aka “Cheetah”, is the fastest digital five color label press in its league, being able to produce up to 30 meters per minute. In real terms it is even more productive than that due to the fact that users can now take on longer run orders. This speed increase has been combined with new toner products meaning that users have the potential to open up new and exciting markets.

Commenting on his company’s second investment, CS Labels Managing director Simon Smith said, “Our existing Xeikon CX3 has enabled us to work smarter and faster and it has given us the extra capacity. The purchase of the second Xeikon CX3 was solely driven by customer demand. We’ve seen a definite transition to digital label printing from flexo and other traditional methods. Quite simply more and more customers are making the switch for reasons of lead times, quality, multiple SKU ability and personalisation.

“Digital is truly no longer confined to shorter print runs and our longest run is now 84,000 linear meters, which would have been unheard of five years ago.” Further refinements to the manufacturing process for the toner for the Xeikon CX3 have enhanced the QA-Cheetah toner product. This latest enhancement is based on Xeikon’s groundbreaking ICE Toner development, which offered fusing at lower operating temperatures, allowing the label press to run heat sensitive substrates.

Whilst the Xeikon CX3 is the new top of the range offering from the company, there is still a choice of equipment for companies entering the sector for the first time. “Xeikon still offer the most comprehensive range of digital label presses,” confirmed Filip Weymans. “The Xeikon CX3 offers a significant advancement for customers seeking to expand their production, but other businesses may not need the full capabilities of such a machine right now. Our upgrade path, however, will allow them to develop their business and their label production over time."