Latest trends and developments put forward at global networking and educational platform
Demand for a greater variety of products, more frequent
seasonal promotions and shorter runs are the over-riding market trends shaping
today’s folding carton market. That is why Xeikon, together with its Aura
partners, is hosting the Xeikon Café Packaging Innovations at its premises in
Belgium, from March 10 to 12. During the three-day event, visitors will learn
more about the latest digital trends and innovations in folding carton
production and have the opportunity to get up to speed with the newest
technologies and share insights.
"Brand owners do not want to make any compromises on
their profit margins, on the image quality of their packages, or on the
protection against counterfeiting and we will be demonstrating how we can help
them meet these expectations while delivering a flexible, creative and
cost-effective route to market,” explains Filip Weymans, Xeikon’s Director
Segment Marketing Labels & Packaging.
Integrated solutions
dedicated to folding carton production
At the event, Xeikon and its Aura partners will showcase
their industry expertise through a number of folding carton applications
produced using the Xeikon Folding Carton Suite. The tailored combination of a
Xeikon 3000 Series digital press, a range of substrates, specific workflow and
software components, toners and consumables as well as auxiliary equipment
enables print providers to deliver packaging applications with a unique look
and feel as well as build new revenue streams with higher profit margins.
“Today’s brand owner requirements have evolved,” continues
Weymans. “With our Folding Carton Suite, we can help them achieve a quicker
time-to-market and more intensive test marketing. This enables them to be more
responsive to change – whether that is the result of legislation, marketing or
design requirements.”
The suite is also supported by Xeikon’s extensive network of
Aura partners which are all leading suppliers in their field. The collective
knowledge base covers all aspects of digital production and offers visitors
unique access to information to help deliver tailored solutions that address
the customer’s specific production needs.
Creative folding
carton applications showcasing state-of-the-art technologies
The spectrum of solutions and profitable possibilities
digital print is capable of supporting will be showcased by four different
applications. Visitors will also have the opportunity to talk with leading
experts and collect a detailed brochure detailing the range of technologies and
configurations that are available through Xeikon and its Aura partners.
In a world that is evolving and where brands are looking for
protection against fraudulent businesses, security features play a vital role.
Xeikon along with partners Metsä Board, Meech, Actega, Kurz, ATT Software and
Bograma will be looking into addressing these specific security issues.
Personalisation is a growing trend that also fosters greater
customer loyalty. Xeikon will be showcasing personalised pastry boxes for
children facilitated by CHILI Publish and produced on a Xeikon 3500 digital
press. A food safe odourless varnish from Actega will be applied to a Stora
Enso substrate with finishing completed by Zünd. The whole process will be
automated by the Xeikon Vectorizor.
The typical chocolate box will be made picture perfect by
the Xeikon 3500 with QA-I and SuperBlack toners. Printed on a Stora Enso
substrate and varnished with food safe water-based Actega, its golden elements
will be applied by a unique digital foiling equipment Kurz DM-liner. It will be
finished by Highcon’s digital converting unit for cutting and creasing folding
cartons.
Last but not least coffee lovers will appreciate a high
quality box with foiling and raised varnish produced on a Xeikon 3500 digital press.
Actega varnish will be added on a Metsä Board substrate and the box will be
finished by Zünd’s cutting table to complete the final look.
A Xeikon 9800 digital press will also demonstrate booklet
and leaflet production on 40gsm uncoated roll-to-roll stock. The printed rolls
will then be converted into leaflets by MBO finishing solutions.
Addressing the
challenges
The leading market trends and the resultant influences on
brands and print buyers are among the topics being discussed during the Xeikon
Café’s business programme. This includes:
- Bob Leahey, InfoTrends, expanding on brands and packaging in Europe: The Digital Print Advantage;
- Corey Reardon, AWA Alexander Watson Associates, talking about the global labeling and product decoration market;
- Mieke Hovens, Freelance graphic designer, presenting highlighting security design considerations;
- Nico Potvin, Kadanza, highlighting future proof, sustainable label and packaging management;
- Guy Colebourne, C&P Packaging, Carton printer presenting their business model driven through web2print
In addition to the extensive range of on Folding Carton
applications on display, visitors to the Xeikon Café will also learn more about
the dedicated solutions for Self-Adhesive labels, Heat Transfer and In-Mold
Labels.
The Xeikon Café Packaging Innovations is a platform offered
by Xeikon and its Aura partners, offering the opportunity to understand,
evaluate and experience digital production, and enabling printers and
converters to consciously make a business decision. Through demonstrations,
presentations, workshops and discussions, participants receive first-hand
actionable information and advice on industry innovations and trends.
