Hine Labels open house to feature new Xeikon 3000

UK converter Hine Labels, based in Rotherham, Yorkshire, in conjunction with Punch Graphix UK, is to hold an open house event on Wednesday, May 20 featuring the UK’s first Xeikon 3000 digital label press.

The event will focus on the compatibility of digital with traditional flexo printing. Tests produced during the open day will include running the same job on digital and flexo in order to illustrate the similarity of the results produced.

Xeikon will be partnered at the open house by EskoArtwork and Fasson. Hine Labels utilizes EskoArtwork’s Backstage software to process artwork for both digital and flexo production, as well as an Esko CDI platemaker for flexo plate creation. Fasson will be providing materials for the event. A crucial parameter in obtaining similar results from both processes, the same label materials will be used to demonstrate both flexo and digital.

Bill Hine, managing director of Hine Labels, said: ‘Our business comes from trade customers. They generally don’t have a preference with regard to the printing process that we use. What they want is high quality, color consistent labels in the shortest possible production time. However, we have to face the fact that run lengths are decreasing across many of our markets, and this is what tends to determine which print process we use for a given job. The further enhancements in both image quality and production speed for the Xeikon 3000 meant that it was the next logical step for us, and, in our market, this press provides the ideal digital companion to our flexo printing equipment.’

Xeikon 3000 produces images at 1200 dots per inch, with four bits per spot, to ensure high color quality, and offers an increased imaging width of 322mm, against the 307mm imaging width of the Xeikon 330 machine. All machines are based on a 330mm substrate width.

‘We had no hesitation in returning to Xeikon for our latest digital label solution. In our opinion, the company’s products lead the market for label production, and we have been delighted with the service and support that we have received from Xeikon,’ added Bill Hine.

Commenting on the Hine Labels event, Greg Neesham, sales director for Punch Graphix UK, said: ‘We are especially pleased to be able to show off Hine Labels new machine to a wider audience. The label market has taken a significant step towards digital production in recent years, and any company in the business of label production, and not yet using digital for at least part of their production, needs to come and see the benefits offered by our Xeikon digital machinery.’

For full details of the Hine Labels / Xeikon event on May 20 please e-mail annette.malt@punchgraphix.com or call 44 (0) 1904 520 555. Companies interested in attending the event can also register at http://www.xeikon.com/hine.

Pictured: Bill Hine, managing director, Hine Labels with the new Xeikon 3000 label press

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