Xeikon, a division of Punch Graphix, Lier, Belgium, has launched its new high-end digital label press – the Xeikon 3500. The machine will be officially unveiled at IPEX 2010, the global technology trade show for print, publishing and media. The event takes place May 18-25 in Birmingham, UK.

The Xeikon 3500 joins the 3300 as the flagship digital label presses in the Xeikon portfolio. The 3500 adresses the need for more capacity by offering a wider print width – it increases the media width from 330 mm on the 3300 to 512 mm on the 3500, a size increase that allows label converters to digitally address a wider range of applications. With a top speed of 19.2 meters per minute, the new press is equipped with a high precision LED-based imaging head and features 1200 dpi resolution and 1200 x 3600 variable dot density. The Xeikon 3500 comes standard with five color stations – four for the standard process colors and a fifth which allows the use of spot colors. And print speed is unaffected by the number of colors used.

“We are very excited to be bringing this new press to the market,” says Filip Weymans, business development manager, labels and packaging. “Its outstanding productivity – based on full rotary printing with a variable repeat length and wider width – raises the bar in digital label printing.

“We believe the Xeikon 3500 will also have a significant impact on the breakeven point between digital label printing and conventional printing technologies. This will enable the cost-effective production of volumes beyond the 4,000 linear meters using digital technology, and will speed up the transition from analog to digital label production. Until now, digital printing still had capacity limitations compared with traditional label printing. With the 3500, we can fill this productivity gap. Plus, the press will open up new application opportunities in diverse market segments,” Weyman says.

The Xiekon 3500 can print on a wide range of substrates from a variety of self-adhesive materials including co-extruded films, BOPP and PET, transparent and opaque foils, and regular paper. It can also apply a security toner for anti-counterfeiting applications, and “one-pass” opaque white for the no-label look. In addition, the Xeikon 3500 runs on Xeikon’s new QA-I toner, approved for direct and indirect contact with dry food.

“We see the Xeikon 3500 as the next logical step to meet the market’s ever-growing capacity demands. And the new QA-I toner, which is approved for indirect and direct food contact on most substrates, is truly unique. The introduction of this product is a milestone for Xeikon and the industry, and demonstrates our dedication to innovation in the industrial printing industry,” Weyman adds.

The new press will be on display at IPEX at the Punch Graphix booth, hall 11, stand C230.