The third edition of the Xeikon Café educational conference is back in 2017. This engaging event is designed to be an informal knowledge exchange platform around packaging and label innovations, demonstrating end-to-end digital production solutions with content presented by leading industry suppliers, including experts from Xeikon and its Aura partners.

Scheduled for March 28-31, 2017, at Xeikon’s Lier facility near Antwerp, Belgium, the event will be extended to four days instead of three, reflecting global growth and interest. Driven by high-quality content and an interactive format, Xeikon Café offers first-hand, actionable information and advice on industry innovations and trends. The 2017 edition will offer a strong conference program with a focus on key innovations, technical aspects and business education.

“A production process is more than just printing. It requires an efficient workflow with little human interaction, the right print media, economical consumables like foils, varnishes and glues, and converting equipment that can effectively process media,” explains Filip Weymans, VP of marketing for Xeikon. “As the market continues to evolve, there are challenges ahead in terms of reduced lead times from concept to the store. This is combined with the drive toward higher quality.

“In addition, there is the need for packaging to be food safe, with several variants of the same products produced in different quantities, resulting in the shorter run lengths that present a challenge for conventional printing technologies,” he adds. “That’s why it is crucial for packaging converters to invest in digital technologies. At the same time, there are a variety of opportunities to create new business models, building a service around the package. So many opportunities and so many challenges, but where can you see everything together?”

Xeikon Café provides the ability for packagers to observe an end-to-end digital workflow, learn how to efficiently and effectively incorporate digital technologies into the mix and ask questions relevant to their production process. Industry experts are also present to educate on market trends and the value of digital production. Xeikon Café offers a setting for printers and converters to learn which tools and equipment are right for them, and how to efficiently and effectively incorporate these investments into their packaging production platform.

In 2015, Xeikon Café attracted more than 800 attendees, with representation from Asia, Europe and the Americas, including converters, brand owners and design agencies. In addition, approximately 30 industry suppliers from different segments demonstrated more than 15 live end-to-end applications, ranging from popular self-adhesive and wet glue labels to folding cartons and paper cups.

Key Xeikon Aura partners have expressed their appreciation of the value delivered by Xeikon Café and are looking forward to participating the 2017 event. “Xeikon Café provides us with a great platform to showcase how our MIS systems integrate seamlessly into a wide variety of production environments,” says Geert van Damme of CERM. “We will demonstrate how our software supports a range of print engines to truly deliver value.”

“Our customers in the packaging and label market have been asking us frequently about how our products, such as varnishes, can be used with digital printed output,” adds Peter Baird of Flint Group Sheetfed. “Providing samples and information that demonstrate this is one thing, but showing it live is priceless. It is our first time participating in the Xeikon Café, and we are confident the event will deliver against our expectations.”

“We are a pioneer in heat transfer label decoration, an application that doesn’t really have an exhibition platform for us to illustrate its uniqueness and strength as a unique decoration method,” says David Hitch of Diamond photofoil. “We see Xeikon Café as an exceptional opportunity to demonstrate our capability to a broader audience and provide a deeper understanding of the concept to attendees.”

Those interested in attending the event can register here.