Lotus Labels adds Xeikon CX30

Lotus Labels, Eastbourne, UK, has finalized an order for the latest in toner-based print engines from Xeikon. The Xeikon CX30 is particularly designed for the printing of self-adhesive labels but is also capable of printing card stock of up to 0.55mm in thickness. The new unit is replacing an existing ten-year-old Xeikon press. 

Andreas Schillinger, managing director of Lotus Labels, explained: ‘The world of labels continues to evolve and, whilst our initial Xeikon investment was still very capable and only recently earned us the Label Printer of the Year award, production speeds and toner technology have advanced significantly in the near nine years since the arrival of our first Xeikon press. We are purchasing the latest technology to ensure that our customers continue to receive the best and most environmentally friendly labels and packaging available. 

‘The Xeikon CX30 uses the latest Eco toner from Xeikon and produces color-calibrated print on a wide variety of substrates for our ever-growing list of customers in the high-end label sector. The quality of the latest Xeikon software will help to ensure that our waste figures are kept to the bare minimum before we produce good saleable copy.'

The new press will also allow Lotus Labels to expand its efforts in the production of printed carton packaging for a growing range of clients for whom the company has already been producing labels for some time. The company’s proposition to produce labels and cartons on the same press, hence perfectly color-matching both products, has seen a lot of interest.  

‘With Xeikon dry-toner we believe that we have the most suitable technology for digital carton production. The ability to handle the thickness and substrate ranges that carton board requires, gives us advantages that other processes can’t offer. 

‘The environmentally friendly features of the Xeikon CX30 will include significantly reduced waste along with lower energy consumption, contributing to a “greener” production process. The toners are odorless, migration free, and vegan, making them safe for direct food contact, as traditionally this has been the advantage of Xeikon toner-based technology.’ 

Suitable substrates include coated and uncoated papers, thermal transfer papers, eco and standard films, metallized substrates, as well as thicker carton board materials. 

Xeikon CX30 label press can serve a wide range of end-user applications within the self-adhesive label market, including the ability to print an opaque underlay or overlay where required. CX30 comes equipped with five dry-toner print stations (CMYK + single-pass opaque white) and prints at 1,200 dots per inch. The latest advances in toner production and engine enhancement incorporated into the Xeikon CX30 provide for a consistent and vibrant print quality. 

The CX30 is connected to the cloud and has both human-machine and machine-machine interfaces. The advanced workflow provided prepares the user for digital print manufacturing, including unique digital applications such as full color variable data printing.  

Lotus Labels will continue to run one flexo press alongside the Xeikon: ‘Our work-mix has changed over the years, but flexo is still important to our customers and to our business model,’ added Schillinger. When Schillinger joined the company back in 2014 it ran four flexo presses: ‘The market was changing quickly to shorter digital runs. We needed to adapt the business to the new way of working.’ 

While Xeikon dry-toner technology is already among the food-safe technologies on the market, new legislation and brand owner expectations are further advancing demands for more sustainable printing. In response, Xeikon has developed new toners without abandoning the values of its existing technology, introducing a higher level of sustainability as a direct response to what is the biggest concern for brand owners and end consumers in today’s market. 

Produced with up to 60 percent sustainable components chemically derived from high-grade transparent recycled PET bottles and other reclaimed carbon materials, users will directly benefit from transitioning to Eco toners. All toners from Xeikon are produced using 100 percent green electricity, minimizing CO2 emissions, and Eco toners are de-inkable from both paper (Ingede reference) and film (CADEL reference).