Second Xeikon 330 label press for CS Labels

CS Labels Limited, formerly known as CS Creative Screenprint, Willenhall, West Midlands, UK, has installed its second Xeikon 330 label press, just thirteen months after the first machine. Both presses have now been configured to run to reel, with the company’s existing finishing station now used as an offline device for both presses.

‘The move into digital printing has undoubtedly changed the shape of our business,’ said Simon Smith, Managing Director of CS Labels. ‘We were able to fill the capacity offered by the first press within just nine months, and by the end of 2007 it already represented 35 percent of our turnover.

‘After a full evaluation of the possibilities, including revisiting competitive machine solutions, we decided that the best way forward would be to purchase a second Xeikon unit.'

The company was established in 1976. Simon Smith joined the business in 2000, following some 20 years with Lloyds TSB. ‘In many ways it was a huge benefit for the company to bring in somebody that knew very little about print, but had a lot of experience of other businesses,’ said Simon Smith. A review of the company’s market identified the need to undertake further investment in new machinery, especially for the short-run sector.

‘We have been delighted at how the demand for digital labels has grown,’ said Simon Smith. ‘However, some of the demand has come from other print operations, and this is an area of business that we hadn’t really anticipated. In particular we have developed strong relationships with local printers, brokers and manufacturers of labels.

‘The success of the move into digital has prompted a number of changes for our business. For example, we have changed the company name to reflect more closely the diverse print solutions that we can now offer our clients. A new web site, reflecting the benefits and strengths of digital printing has enabled us to project a more professional and forward looking approach.’

CS Labels still produces longer run work on flexographic label presses, and also prints a variety of screenprint work, but the focus is very much on digital printing.

Commenting on the installation on behalf of Punch Graphix UK, sales director Greg Neesham said: ‘We have, of course, been delighted by the success of digital production at CS Labels. The installation of the second machine illustrates that the market for digital label production is growing faster than many in the sector expected. CS Labels have equipped themselves to continue to grow the business, whilst many traditional label producers are finding it increasingly hard to make money.’

The web-fed Xeikon 330 is able to print on label stock, paper and synthetic media in widths up to 330mm and weights up to 250 gsm, in up to five colors, including opaque white. Xeikon 330 can print at up to 14.7 meters per minute. Post press equipment at CS Labels is suitable for varnishing, laminating, cutting, slitting, matrix stripping and re-reeling the finished printed product.

For job preparation, the Xeikon 330 is equipped with the open, scalable and modular X-800 Digital Front-End (DFE), combining pre-press functionality including a high-speed RIP with variable data printing processing. In addition, the Xeikon 330 DFE is designed to deliver the highest print quality level, a practical die marker function and precise step-and-repeat functionality. The system is also equipped to handle complex operations such as sequential numbering and barcodes.

The Xeikon 330 is also environment friendly press – as it is dry toner based so no solvents are used, which is also good for the health of operators.