Confronted with peaking demands for short runs and multiple print runs, French label printer 5SeptEtiquette turned to Xeikon for solutions. As it turned out, the Xeikon 3300 appeared to be the perfect press for them, increasing the overall capacity for short run jobs and multiple reference series without delay. Furthermore, the arrival of digital technology opened up new possibilities to simplify the production process thanks to an interface connecting CERM management software and the Xeikon 3300 press and X-800 workflow.

5SeptEtiquette turned to Xeikon for solutions

Serving a client base of manufactures in the food, cosmetics, beauty and viticulture industries, 5SeptEtiquette’s main focus lies on very short print run jobs. Equipped with three waterless offset presses, two flexo presses and equipment for silkscreen printing and finishing, the French printer saw an opportunity to develop its digital printing business.

Customer feedback

Confronted with demands for short runs and multiple print runs, 5SeptEtiquette turned to Xeikon.

“We needed to increase production”

“Over the course of the last few years we succeeded in maintaining our competitiveness on short print runs thanks to efficient use of waterless offset and short ink trains”, says 5SeptEtiquette's managing director, Patrick Wack. “Today, our machines are working at full capacity and we need to increase the amount we are capable of producing. It is the right time for us to invest in equipment capable of processing both very short runs and multiple reference series easily and without delay one after the other.”

“Easy management of the Xeikon 3300”

The Xeikon 3300 allowed 5SeptEtiquette to crank up production volume on short run jobs pretty soon after the installation was completed. “Out of all the digital presses currently on the market, we were convinced by the Xeikon 3300's easy management,” Wack explains. "In particular, the ease with which consumable costs and production times could be anticipated allows us to calculate quotes easily and without the risk of error.”

Customer feedback

Out of all the digital presses currently on the market, we were convinced by the Xeikon 3300's easy management

“Simplified print production workflow”

The Xeikon 3300 also introduced the French label maker to a new way of handling workloads. “Using digital technology, and thanks to JDF links, the shop floor papers transmitted from our management system to the digital press can be dematerialized completely,” Patrick Wack confirms. “This makes it possible to simplify the production flow and to avoid possible data re-entry or system update errors which resulted in a 20% decrease of material waste. In addition, information such as production times and quantities of materials used is sent directly to the management system. This allows us to analyze the profitability of our digital section as accurately as possible.” Today the Xeikon press integrated via CERM is the benchmark and inspiring the company in terms of lean manufacturing.

“Near offset quality”

Apart from ease of management, the quality of the print jobs was also important. “The print quality that we get with the Xeikon 3300 is so close to offset that the difference isn't a problem for our customers. The majority doesn't notice any difference in result between the two processes. Furthermore, the opaque white is of an equivalent or higher quality to that which we get using flexo, which is very important for the cosmetics market in particular,” says Patrick Wack. “And ink non-toxicity is as essential in the processed food industry as it is for cosmetics.”

Would you like to learn more about the digital print production optimization process? Download our Improvement Guide.

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