Lier, Belgium, September 10, 2008 – Xeikon, a division of Punch Graphix, won the prestigious New Innovation Award at the 5th annual Label Industry Global Awards. The announcement was made at a glittering dinner reception that took place on September 09 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center during Labelexpo Americas 2008.

According to Paul Willems, Chief Marketing Officer, Punch Graphix, "We are extremely happy to receive the New Innovation Award and thank the judging panel for selecting our company for this prestigious honor. Since our inception, one of our primary goals has been to introduce innovative digital color technology to the market that translates into tangible benefits for our users and provides them sustainable competitive advantages. This award motivates us to keep moving forward on the path of continous innovation."

The innovative spirit of Xeikon is reflected in the launch of two new digital color label presses in 2008, the Xeikon 3300 and the Xeikon 3000. The Xeikon 3000 was launched at the ongoing Labelexpo Americas 2008 and the Xeikon 3300 was unveiled earlier this year at drupa. Both these products represent a quantum leap in label print quality, offering true 1200 dpi at four bits per spot.

With a top speed of 63 feet per minute and a monthly duty cycle of 2,300,000 feet, the Xeikon 3300 is an extremely fast digital color label press, particularly suited for short to medium print runs and just-in-time jobs. The Xeikon 3000 represents the entry-level counterpart of the Xeikon 3300. It is a perfect fit for label converters who are eager to enter digital printing but do not need the high speed and productivity of the Xeikon 3300, just yet. It is also an ideal press for label converters wanting to focus on niche applications such as paperboard packaging or textile transfer printing. With a top speed of 31.5 feet per minute and a monthly duty cycle of 1,500,000 feet, the Xeikon 3000 allows label converters to master digital printing at a more leisurely pace.

Both Xeikon 3300 and 3000 can print four process colors plus a range of standard or custom spot colors for perfect reproduction of brand image. They can also apply special security toner for anti-counterfeiting applications, and opaque white to create that sought after 'no label look' on transparent labels. The press speeds are independent of the number of colors that are required for a specific job.

Both presses also feature full rotary printing technology for maximum productivity and are capable of printing on an unmatched range of substrates from various self adhesive films including co-extruded film, to unsupported film, paper, transparent and opaque foils, and paperboard. The environmentally-friendly dry toner electrophotography imaging process enables the use of conventional substrates without coating or pre-treatment.

The award announcement coincides with the launch of Xeikon's "Do-the-benchmark" initiative for label converters. This initiative will provide label converters an opportunity to experience the imaging quality of the Xeikon 3300 first hand. Under this initiative, label converters will be able to choose from certain selected label stocks and upload some of their own files to be printed on the Xeikon 3300. Label converters are encouraged to go to www.xeikon.com to participate in this unique initiative, and see the innovative capabilities of the Xeikon technology that helped them win this award.

For more information on Xeikon's innovative technology, please visit them at booth number 6135 during Labelexpo Americas 2008.