Eede, The Netherlands, October 14, 2014 – The Xeikon 3500 is increasingly becoming the technology of choice for companies looking to print in-mold labels digitally, with installations taking place around the world on a regular basis. The latest company to invest in the Xeikon technology is IML Labels. The company is based just north of Montreal, Canada and has added a Xeikon 3500 digital color press to complement its offset presses.
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“Our customers are spread throughout North America and about 75 percent of them are involved in the food business,” says owner Donald Caron, who founded IML Labels in 2007. “As a result, it was very important to us that the Xeikon toner is FDA-compliant for food contact and does not contain mineral oil. In addition, color matching with our offset presses is so accurate that we can mix both processes within the same job.”
IML Labels has grown rapidly since its formation and today it employs more than 50 people. The company provides a comprehensive ‘one-stop shop’ service including pre-press, overprinting and finishing in order to create high-quality, ready-to-mold labels. Typical end products are ice cream containers, yogurt pots and butter tubs. IML Labels’ client base includes molders and direct customers, many of whom are leading names in the food sector, as well as pharmaceutical, industrial and souvenir industries.
“We are being asked frequently to provide mock-ups and help with test marketing new packaging. In addition, we are experiencing a growing demand for shorter print runs, often down to around 1,000. Our offset presses simply weren’t economical for these orders. The Xeikon 3500, already in operation on a full shift basis, enables us to meet these requirements effectively and provide a better service to our customers.”
The Xeikon 3500 at IML Labels runs ICE toner, which is now the standard toner for printing in-mold labels. The Xeikon 3500 can handle substrate widths up to 516 mm / 20.3 inches. This format flexibility enables the production of a broad range of label formats. Xeikon’s extensive finishing range for its digital presses provided IML Labels with several converting options for their labels. They have installed a UCoat finishing unit, which allows inline flood aqueous coating and provides cut-to-sheet capabilities. Die cutting of labels is done on their existing equipment used for offset printed labels.
“The Xeikon 3500 has proved to be the ideal sales and marketing tool,” says Mr. Caron. “Orders from new customers are printed digitally as these invariably involve shorter runs. Consequently, we have eliminated the waste and inefficiencies we used to encounter on our traditional presses. When orders reach a certain size, they can easily be switched to offset.”
Mr. Caron adds, “We intend to take advantage of the ability to print variable data on the Xeikon press to incorporate features such as sequential numbering. Today, the market is demanding a level of production flexibility that only digital printing can provide. However, every situation is different and we worked closely with Xeikon to develop a solution that met our specific requirements.”
Filip Weymans, Xeikon’s Director of Segment Marketing, Labels & Packaging, comments, “The production of in-mold labels with digital technology is proving to be a powerful tool for brand owners. Now, they can easily undertake test marketing projects, trials and short runs. It is only a matter of time until more brands embrace this opportunity. Xeikon has invested a lot of time and resources in developing this technically complex application. We were able to execute it successfully in real production environments due to the expertise and guidance of customers such as IML Labels Canada.”
About Xeikon
Xeikon is an innovator in digital printing technology. The company designs, develops and delivers web-fed digital color presses for labels and packaging applications, document printing, as well as commercial printing. These presses utilize LED-array-based dry toner electrophotography, open workflow software and application-specific toners.
As an OEM supplier, Xeikon designs and produces plate makers for newspaper offset printing applications. Xeikon also manufactures basysPrint computer-to-plate (CtP) solutions for the commercial printing market. These proven CtP systems combine the latest exposure techniques with cost-efficient UV plate technology, high imaging quality and flexibility.
For the flexographic market, Xeikon offers digital platemaking systems under the ThermoFlexX brand name. ThermoFlexX systems provide high resolution plate exposure including screening, color management, as well as workflow management.
All the Xeikon solutions are designed with the overarching principles of profitability, quality, flexibility and sustainability in mind. With these guiding principles and a deep, intimate knowledge of its customers, Xeikon continues to be one of the industry’s leading innovators of products and solutions.
For more information regarding this press release, please contact:
Frank Jacobs
Marketing Communications Manager
Xeikon International BV
Brieversstraat 70 – 4529 GZ Eede, The Netherlands
T. +31 (0)117 37 50 20 – M: +32 (0)494 50 00 52
Frank.Jacobs@xeikon.com – www.xeikon.com
PR agency Xeikon International
duomedia
Nancy Vermeulen
Barastraat 175 – 1070 Brussels – Belgium
T. +32 (0)2 560 21 50 – M: +32 (0)486 26 05 59
Nancy.v@duomedia.com – www.duomedia.com