Xeikon has launched Fusion Embellishment Unit (FEU), a new finishing system to provide converters with the latest tools to manufacture a variety of labels.
Based on MGI technology, Xeikon FEU provides UV spot varnish, tactile varnish, foiling, 3D textures and holograms across a wide range of substrates including clear-on-clear, BOPP and paper facestocks, up to natural structured papers.
Offered as stand-alone technology, FEU enables embellishment of printed materials originating from different technologies. It is also able to pre-print foil onto substrates. Optionally, Xeikon FEU can be equipped with a semi-rotary die-cutting unit to deliver fully embellished and finished labels. Whilst Xeikon’s focus at present is on label applications, the new FEU has the potential to address other applications over time.
Xeikon has introduced FEU to offer label printers and converters ‘maximum flexibility’ to meet the demands of brand owners and designers striving to achieve high end, eye catching, unique, entertaining and creative labels.
Filip Weymans, vice president of marketing at Xeikon, said, ‘In a world of ever-evolving consumerism, we are seeing significant and ongoing changes in behavioural patterns. Consumers are more discerning and brand owners are demanding more from their designers and printers. In packaging and retail, there is increasing pressure for creative innovation and higher levels of productivity. To that end, Xeikon is first and foremost addressing the needs of its customers. We continue to adapt to current trends and with the launch of the Xeikon FEU we are offering our customers maximum opportunities. The workflow integration built around our X-800 Vectorizer will ultimately provide our customers with all they need to effectively move towards total digital label print manufacturing.’
Using Xeikon FEU, label printers with an existing portfolio of wine, premium beer, gourmet food, spirits, and health and beauty labels will be able to achieve easy and fast proofing of new designs and faster times to market. With no need for tooling and reduced set-up times, this economical option is said to offer ‘superior levels’ of creative quality finishing on smaller volumes of labels. Using inkjet technology, any defined label area can automatically receive spot UV varnish with or without raised 3D texture effects. Similarly, for foiling applications the digital label area can receive digitally controlled foil with or without raised 3D effects with limited complexity compared to analogue.
Mr Weymans concluded, ‘Xeikon’s long term goal is to offer its customers the broadest range of products which address the digital transformation of print manufacturing. Well-established industry partners, like in this case MGI Digital Technology, very often haven proven products that integrate very well in this digitisation process. With this latest addition to our portfolio, one of the most important benefits for our customers is the availability of integrated digital technologies – all provided and supported by supplier – which ensure maximum productivity throughout the manufacturing process. The combined provision of digital printing and digital embellishment will enable label printers to run high-end, short to medium sized jobs at substantially reduced costs with a shorter time to market.’
