Page 44 - Print21 November-December 2022

Digital pioneer Xeikon
has launched a fully digital hybrid solution, based on its Cheetah
and Panther digital press series, recently developed Label Converting Unit, and X-800 digital front-end.
Xeikon releases hybrid label solution
Hybrid presses can be defined as label presses that incorporate two or more printing processes (digital and conventional)
in-line with finishing units (varnishing, spot color printing, slitting, die-
cutting and different embellishment techniques). Hybrid solutions benefit
a label printer and converter with medium to long runs with either limited variation in converting (die cutting, slitting) and/or the need to add conventionally produced features, for example spot varnish, cold foil.
Today the standalone digital presses and standalone converting line address the largest part of the market. According to Xeikon, to expand
the growth potential of digital, new solutions are needed. Unavoidably, this will convert conventional printed work into digital production through cost optimisation. Think larger volumes of SKUs with the same die-cut shape, or full-colour jobs which hold a static embellishing element.
ENRICHED WITH DIGITAL
These can be printed more effectively with a conventional process and then enriched with digital full-colour printing. Trends in the market indicate luxury brands benefit from what their print provider offers; shorter runs, more versions and variations, variable text or graphics, and personalisation allowing much greater freedom of creativity.
Xeikon has just launched a fully digital hybrid solution based on its digital press (Cheetah or Panther series), the recently developed Xeikon Label Converting Unit (LCU), and Xeikon’s X-800 digital front-end. This solution can be configured to the needs of the converter, enabling label converters to step up their productivity, whilst remaining fully flexible for all the needs of their customers.
The company says the main values of the Xeikon hybrid label solution are that it goes from substrate to ready-label; a complete, single-pass production process flow. It eliminates a number of production steps, resulting in higher productivity, it reduces both waste and setup time, and all this means it opens up new business opportunities.
Xeikon hybrid solutions can hold both Xeikon’s Cheetah (dry- toner) as well as Panther (UV inkjet) technologies, so all end-use applications can be addressed through this offering.
Dry-toner is the proven technology for all applications requiring adherence to high food safety standards while delivering the highest, matte-finished quality and achieving high quality on standard natural paper substrates (wine
and spirits). Today, the second- generation Cheetah technology is used in Xeikon’s current dry-toner digital presses.
Xeikon’s UV inkjet Panther Technology was introduced five
Single-pass production process flow: Xeikon's hybrid label solution
years ago, with a specific focus on labels across industries requiring high durability including the health and beauty markets. These applications make use of the key benefits of the features of UV inkjet, such as scratch, scuff, and rub resistance.
The hybrid label solution, featured at Labelexpo Americas in September, provides a complete, single-pass production process flow, from substrate to ready-label, eliminating several production steps to enable higher productivity, reducing waste and setup time, and opening up new business opportunities.
“This solution allows Xeikon to not only look to keep in step with market and industry demand and trends, but also to deliver offerings that allow converters to provide solutions that keep them at the crest of change,” said Trevor Crowley, GM of sales ANZ, Flint Group Digital.
CLOUD CONNECTED
Crowley said, “At Xeikon we take customer input seriously. Our solutions are cloud-connected, providing us with a lot of data on how the equipment is performing. This results in the ability to provide more automation in combining production runs to increase efficiency.
“That is why, along with the presses, we develop fully digital converting and embellishing products such as the Xeikon LCU which can be configured into hybrid print and converting solutions.” 21
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