UK-based CS Labels has announced the arrival of a brand new digital label press, the Xeikon Cheetah, which was installed in March. CS Labels has been selected by Xeikon as one of the UK pilot sites for this new technology.

CS Labels is Europe’s largest label and packaging printer using Xeikon technology. The Cheetah was welcomed as it will provide much needed extra capacity, increasing it by another third since its last announcement just six months ago. The converter now boasts five Xeikon digital presses and has celebrated another year of record turnover and profitability.The Xeikon Cheetah press is one of the fastest around with a printing speed of 30 meters per minute (98 fpm) giving a maximum printed output of 594sqm/hr. It is 56% more productive than any other printer in the Xeikon portfolio and features full rotary printing in CMYK.

Simon Smith, the managing director for CS Labels, comments, “I am delighted we have been selected to pioneer this technology and integrate it into our production portfolio. Over the past few years we have led the way when it comes to assisting companies make the transitition from traditional flexographic printing to digital, and this technology means that we can make even bigger inroads into a rapidly growing marketplace and changing landscape.

“In our view, digital hasn’t been seen as short run/high cost for some time now, quite simply those using flexographic printing methods are already making the switch and this opens up opportunities even further, for example in the FMCG arena. We have seen a real growth in demand for larger print runs, culminating with an order for 50,000 linear meters at the end of December 2014, which ended our next record breaking year on another high. The larger end clients are now au fait with what’s possible and this gives them even more confidence. Quite simply, the technology will enable us to cope with increased demand and continue to deliver jobs quickly and accurately.”

The Xeikon Cheetah will enable CS Labels to provide longer print runs as well as free up capacity. The company is also now progressing its new product development offerings in the flexible packaging arena, IML and heat transfer printing.

The toner used on the Cheetah press is derived from Xeikon’s ICE dry toner technology which is already used by CS Labels on its other presses. ICE toner works on heat sensitive substrates such as PE (Polyethylene) and direct thermal labels and meets FDA regulations for food contact.

Filip Weymans, director segment marketing, Labels and Packaging at Xeikon, says: “Selecting CS Labels as a flagship site was an easy decision. Their thought leadership and brave commitment to digital printing and packaging continues to pay off and I am pleased they are alongside us as we move into the next stage of the industry revolution.”