UK converter hosts open house for Xeikon installation

Bradford, UK-based converter The Label Makers recently hosted an open house to mark the installation of a Xeikon 3030 digital press.

Managing Director David Webster spoke about family owned company’s production history, which includes letterpress, litho, flexo and now digital equipment. He discussed the benefits of Xeikon’s QA-I toner and the machine’s ability to create high-quality opaque white in just one pass.

‘It has been a brilliant move,’ he said of the installation. ‘We have been pleasantly surprised at the number of existing customers that have been keen to move into digital. The fact that no plates are required makes a huge difference to the way that customers order their labels. 

‘We did actually have a genuine customer requirement for a run of one recently. A special presentation of a 50 year-old bottle of whisky required a personalized label. The customer was thrilled and delighted by the result, and by the fact that it didn’t cost them an arm and a leg. Whilst we are still educating many of our customers regarding the benefits and capabilities of digital production, other clients are asking about our new equipment, and how it will benefit them.’ 

The Label Makers installed an AB Graphic Digicon finishing line to operate alongside the digital press. The line incorporates hot foiling, two flexo units, a glueing station and cold foil applicator, lamination, a silkscreen unit, varnishing and die-cutting. ‘The finishing line is extremely impressive,’ added Webster. ‘We are using it for all forms of label production – not just digital, but litho and flexo as well.’

The Label Makers has created a dedicated digital area in its factory where the Xeikon and AB Graphic machines are housed. The area has room for additional machinery and Webster confirmed a second Xeikon was under consideration. 

Filip Weymans, Xeikon’s marketing and business development manager for labels and packaging, informed the audience that the event was one of a series of roadshows that the company was holding with customers throughout Europe.

Visitors to the event included international label printing businesses from six countries as well as UK companies. UK sales director Greg Neesham was delighted with the attendance: ‘This is certainly the largest label event that we have put together in the UK. That illustrates that there are plenty of label producers out there that are keen to invest in the benefits offered by a Xeikon digital solution.’ 

Pictured: Personalized beer labels were printed on the new Xeikon press for the event 

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