Digital production

"Run lengths for these customers are beginning to vary greatly which is what prompted the investment. We are seeing a number of flexo jobs that are 1,000 meters, 2,000 meters and even as low as 500 meters in length. These take up a significant amount of time with conventional production technologies. By moving these jobs to digital production, we are able to free up production on our flexo and litho presses for the longer runs for which they are better suited.”

Rajeev Chhatwal, owner of  Kwality Offset Printers

Focus on teamwork

“We chose to partner with Xeikon because Xeikon label presses do not require any special coatings or substrates. This means we can take advantage of our normal inventory to produce these shorter runs. We looked at other options, but we chose Xeikon for two primary reasons. The first was that I found Xeikon was more in touch with us as a label printer; they understood our industry, our needs and our challenges. The second was there was a greater focus on teamwork. They wanted to work with us as a true partner and be there throughout our journey into the digital world.

We also felt that Xeikon’s focus was more on label printing than other suppliers of digital technology in this space. They seemed keener to develop a good relationship with us, and that was a big factor in our decision.”

Rajeev Chhatwal, owner of  Kwality Offset Printers

Working with Xeikon

“We were very confident about the expertise the Xeikon team would be able to bring to our project. We met them, saw the factory and looked closely at the technology. The fact that they will support us immediately after installation and beyond was important. We can invest in digital short run and variable print with the knowledge that Xeikon will help us as we go through the digital learning process. We can really partner with them and be confident in what we can achieve, today and into the future.

The ability to quickly develop a strong digital service with the help of Xeikon was vital. This is our first digital press. We spoke to our customers about the production of their work. We also tested some proofs, and our customer were happy about the results. So the first stage following installation will be the focus on moving smaller orders from traditional production to digital printing."

Rajeev Chhatwal, owner of  Kwality Offset Printers

Effectively meet demands

“Then at the second stage, we will talk to customers we haven’t really been interacting with because of the small volumes they were looking for. Our Xeikon digital label press now enables us to work with them to cost-effectively meet their demands. We appreciates there will be a learning curve for the company as it enters the digital production realm. For the first three or four months, we will be learning about digital technology so that everyone on our team is confident as we move in this new direction. We will also educate existing customers on the benefits of digital printing. Then next year, we expect to add five or six customers and grow our US$6 million turnover by 12% to 15%. The partnership we have with Xeikon is critical to achieving these objectives.”

"Not making the investment was not an option. If we hadn’t moved into digital, our competitors would have. For the last six or seven months, customers have been talking about digital more and more. They are looking at shorter runs now, as well as variable print. Digital is the best way to respond to these emerging requirements, and we wanted to be on the forefront of offering those services in our region.”

“These are not the kind of jobs we can do on our flexo press. We have had conversations in the past about offering these services, but those conversations never matured since we didn’t have the capabilities. Now we will have the ability to meet those needs, and Xeikon will be there to help us explore the opportunities.”

Rajeev Chhatwal, owner of  Kwality Offset Printers

Xeikon 3030 Plus Label Press

The Xeikon 3030 Plus Label Press has a variable web width of 200 mm up to 330 mm. It runs at a resolution of1200 dpi at a top speed of 15 m/min and handles substrates without specific pre-treatment. It emits no VOCs and has high light-fastness. The new press will be installed by Kwality Offset Printers at the end of the year.

ABOUT XEIKON

Xeikon, a division of Flint Group, is a long-standing leader and innovator in digital printing technology. Grounded in the principles of quality, flexibility and sustainability, Xeikon designs, develops and delivers web-fed digital colour presses for label and packaging applications, document printing, and commercial printing. These presses utilise LED-array-based electrophotography, open workflow software and application-specific toners.

As an OEM supplier, Xeikon also designs and produces plate makers for newspaper printing applications. In addition, Xeikon manufactures basysPrint computer-to-conventional plate (CtCP) solutions for the commercial offset printing market. For the flexographic market, Xeikon offers digital platemaking systems under the ThermoFlexX brand name. ThermoFlexX systems provide high-resolution plate exposure combined with unique plate handling, flexibility and unmatched productivity

In 2015, Xeikon joined Flint Group to create a new “Digital Printing Solutions” division for the leading global print consumables and solution provider to the packaging and print media industries. Flint Group develops and manufactures an extensive portfolio of printing consumables. These include a vast range of conventional and energy-curable inks and coatings, pressroom chemicals, printing plates and equipment, printing blankets and sleeves, and pigments and additives for use in inks and other colorant applications. Headquartered in Luxembourg, Flint Group employs some 7900 people. On a worldwide basis, the company is the number one or number two supplier in every major market segment it serves.

For more information about Xeikon, visit www.xeikon.com and for Flint Group, visit www.flintgrp.com or contact:

Xeikon 
Corporate Communications Manager

Danny Mertens
Brieversstraat 70 - 4529 GZ Eede, The Netherlands
T: +32 (0)3 443 13 11 – M: +32 (0)494 50 00 57
Danny.Mertens@xeikon.com – www.xeikon.com

PR agency Xeikon 
duomedia

Dorien Cooreman
Barastraat 175 - 1070 Brussels - Belgium
T: +32 (0)2 560 21 50 – M: +32 (0)478 98 60 58
Dorien.c@duomedia.com – www.duomedia.com