The Xeikon 3500 is increasingly
becoming the technology of choice for companies looking to print in-mold labels
digitally, with installations taking place around the world on a regular basis.
The latest company to invest in the Xeikon technology is IML Labels. The
company is based just north of Montreal, Canada and has added a Xeikon 3500
digital color press to complement its “Our customers are spread throughout
North America and about 75 percent of them are involved in the food business,”
says owner Donald Caron, who founded IML Labels in 2007. “As a result, it was
very important to us that the Xeikon toner is FDA-compliant for food contact
and does not contain mineral oil. In addition, color matching with our offset
presses is so accurate that we can mix both processes within the same job.”
IML Labels has grown rapidly
since its formation and today it employs more than 50 people. The company provides
a comprehensive ‘one-stop shop’ service including pre-press, overprinting and
finishing in order to create high-quality, ready-to-mold labels. Typical end
products are ice cream containers, yogurt pots and butter tubs. IML Labels’
client base includes molders and direct customers, many of whom are leading
names in the food sector, as well as pharmaceutical, industrial and souvenir
industries.
“We are being asked frequently to
provide mock-ups and help with test marketing new packaging. In addition, we
are experiencing a growing demand for shorter print runs, often down to around
1,000. Our offset presses simply weren’t economical for these orders. The
Xeikon 3500, already in operation on a full shift basis, enables us to meet
these requirements effectively and provide a better service to our customers.”
The Xeikon 3500 at IML Labels
runs ICE toner, which is now the standard toner for printing in-mold labels. The
Xeikon 3500 can handle substrate widths up to 516 mm / 20.3 inches. This format
flexibility enables the production of a broad range of label formats. Xeikon’s
extensive finishing range for its digital presses provided IML Labels with
several converting options for their labels. They have installed a UCoat
finishing unit, which allows inline flood aqueous coating and provides
cut-to-sheet capabilities. Die cutting of labels is done on their existing
equipment used for offset printed labels.
“The Xeikon 3500 has proved to be
the ideal sales and marketing tool,” says Mr. Caron. “Orders from new customers
are printed digitally as these invariably involve shorter runs. Consequently,
we have eliminated the waste and inefficiencies we used to encounter on our
traditional presses. When orders reach a certain size, they can easily be
switched to offset.”
Mr. Caron adds, “We intend to
take advantage of the ability to print variable data on the Xeikon press to incorporate
features such as sequential numbering. Today, the market is demanding a level
of production flexibility that only digital printing can provide. However,
every situation is different and we worked closely with Xeikon to develop a
solution that met our specific requirements.”
Filip Weymans, Xeikon’s Director
of Segment Marketing, Labels & Packaging, comments, “The production of in-mold
labels with digital technology is proving to be a powerful tool for brand owners.
Now, they can easily undertake test marketing projects, trials and short runs.
It is only a matter of time until more brands embrace this opportunity. Xeikon
has invested a lot of time and resources in developing this technically complex
application. We were able to execute it successfully in real production
environments due to the expertise and guidance of customers such as IML Labels
Canada.”
