Guangzhou Hongda makes further Xeikon investment to target heat transfer opportunities

The company has more than 20 years of experience in gravure printed transfer labels primarily serving the large toys market in China. It was seeking an option that would enable cost-effective production of shorter runs as well as provide an opportunity to expand into heat transfer segment through a newly created web portal and network of printing partners.

Jiongda Chen, Guangzhou Hongda CEO, said: ‘We did stringent testing of various digital printing solutions available in the market, and determined that the Xeikon 3500 was the best choice for our business. Following our successful experience with the first press installed earlier this year, we are now in the process of adding a second Xeikon 3500, with plans to expand even more during 2018. We work closely with Xeikon’s team in China and its commitment, service and support played an important role in the successful implementation of our digital production capabilities.’

Considerations for Guangzhou Hongda included production of high quality heat transfer labels and the use of FDA compliant dry toner, highly important for the toys market. Chen added: ‘We also appreciated the 50cm print width that allows for multiple up production, supported with Xeikon’s VariLane which makes it possible to create digital imposition templates for heat transfer labels with different SKUs and different sizes within the same print job. Xeikon’s high quality white ink is also important as this is critical for high quality heat transfer applications.’

Xeikon VariLane is an imposition software plug-in to the Xeikon X-800 digital front-end, specifically designed to allow label printers greater flexibility in the production of labels and increased profit opportunities.

Bent Serritslev, managing director in the Asia-Pacific region at Xeikon, added: ‘Guangzhou Hongda has leveraged Xeikon’s print-on-demand capability for heat transfer labels by building a network of heat transfer converters who can order digitally printed heat transfer labels via a web portal.

‘This has been successful in growing volume, as evidenced by the company’s acquisition of a second press. It is a pleasure to work with a company that is innovative and growing, and we look forward to our continuing relationship in 2018 and beyond.’

The sale was signed for at Labelexpo Europe 2017.