Dry toner digital printing specialist Xeikon has launched REX, an initiative to support printers looking for entry-level, affordable digital production options.
Through REX, which stands for ‘remanufactured, ecological, Xeikon quality’, Xeikon is offering a range of remanufactured digital presses providing an ‘attractive and affordable option’ for printers and converters looking to expand their business with digital applications. Remanufactured presses sold through the REX programme have the same warranty as all new Xeikon presses sold. The sale of a REX programme-based press comes with one of the Xeikon installation service packs, while multiple service level options are available.
This has been introduced to help printers of all sizes fulfil customers’ demands for shorter runs, just-in-time production and customisation.
Moreover, the investment threshold for professional digital printing options can be an issue for smaller companies wanting to step into this new market, as Jeroen Van Bauwel, director of product management at Xeikon, explained.
‘Xeikon has been offering digital presses into the market for more than 30 years. But often, our customers’ digital business runs faster than their press and after a few years they already need to re-invest in a faster model.
‘The returned press still has a long lifetime ahead so with our Rex programme, we are remanufacturing these older presses by running them through our factory, implementing all recent updates, and upgrading the digital front end to the latest version of our workflow, X-800 6.0. The presses that have gone through the REX program are then offered again into the market at a very attractive investment cost.’
The first machine resulting from the REX programme is the Xeikon 3030 REX, requiring an investment of level below €200,000
Xeikon noted that label converters are today investing in digital systems ranging from €200,000 up to €1.5 million. About 20% of these converters have an investment capacity of up to €300,000.
Xeikon has already introduced Label Discovery, a package that provides an offer within this range of investment. This combines a Xeikon 3030 entry-level web-fed digital label press and entryDcoat digital converting line, which can be used inline or offline with the Xeikon 3030.
By adding the 3030 REX to its portfolio, Xeikon is expanding the possibilities for all label converters.
Xeikon 3030 REX is a full-colour digital press with the benefit of opaque white, giving access to the health and beauty, premium beer and other label end-use markets. Xeikon dry toner technology, certified for food safety, allows access to food label markets. The dry toner is also light fast allowing converters to address label end uses requiring durability. A 1200dpi print resolution ensures converters can also serve the high-quality offset label market as well the flexo quality market. The X-800 6.0 DFE can be integrated with existing MIS systems for fully automated job preparation and to handle complex variable data jobs.
Mr Van Bauwel continued, ‘Through the REX program, we are making our well-known digital presses accessible to converters new to digital, with limited investment budgets.
‘Beside the benefits of our press technology, a Xeikon investment can be regarded as long-term security. When necessary, our presses can be upgraded on-site for speed and width when the business evolves to that need. We believe the Xeikon 3030 REX will stimulate an even faster adoption of digital in the label market. Not forcing converters to make concessions about serving certain markets but addressing 90% of all end-use applications in the label industry. This will be an investment which can grow with their needs over time as their business evolves.’
