FFEI Ltd, the global developer of award-winning digital imaging solutions, today launches its new, end-to-end, digital label solution, FFEI Caslon, to a worldwide audience at drupa 2012. FFEI Caslon provides label printers with the capability to easily and profitably produce short-to-medium run labels, on-demand, with advanced colour capabilities, variable data printing and substrate versatility. FFEI also announces its ‘complete solution’ show theme and official sponsorship of Bloodhound SCC, based on the innovation behind Britain’s latest attempt at breaking the World Land Speed record.

FFEI Caslon is a new, complete digital label solution comprising a Caslon digital inkjet press debuting a new digital spot colour unit printing white ink, and FFEI’s new RealPro Digital Labeller software. Developed by, and sold directly through FFEI, Caslon from FFEI provides label converters a one-stop-shop solution where all components are designed to work together.

“For PSPs looking to enter the digital labels market for the first time, or existing digital users looking to simply extend their application base to seek new markets, the opportunities that the FFEI Caslon package represents are significant,” says Andy Cook, FFEI managing director.

“This year we decided to sponsor Bloodhound in recognition of the world-leading innovation behind the Bloodhound Super Sonic Car (SSC), which we believe is synonymous with our company ethos of investing significantly in R&D and ultimately pushing the technology boundaries. In fact, our show theme of the ‘complete solution’ exemplified in our latest development, FFEI Caslon, was part inspired by the similarities in Bloodhound’s approach -  the engineering excellence, attention to detail and inspired thinking, to form a ‘complete package’ designed to achieve record-breaking results - emulating our own approach to product development and customer service.”

Caslon Digital Inkjet Press
Caslon, a digital colour inkjet press jointly developed between FFEI and Nilpeter A/S, can be installed as part of a traditional narrow-web label press or utilised as a standalone digital inkjet system. Offering superior web widths of up to 420mm, Caslon converts high quality labels at 25m per minute rising to 50m, dependent on application demands. Built on the industry proven Nilpeter FA line web transport, Caslon provides the familiarity, reliability, scalability and operation of a market-leading flexo press, enabling those looking to move into the digital label market to do so with greatly reduced business risk and disruption.

Digital Spot Colour Module
Available from FFEI and reseller partners is an independent Caslon digital spot colour unit providing a high opacity, digital UV-curable white ink for printing on a wide range of substrates. Positioned before or after the main CMYK unit, this new capability creates new possibilities for printing on transparent material for backlit applications or printing white as a spot colour. This eradicates the need to pre-print white ink via a traditional press – shortening production times, minimising cost and providing increased job control.

RealPro Digital Labeller
In addition, label converters can now benefit from FFEI’s newly enhanced workflow solutions for the label market. Available for the first time at drupa, RealPro Digital Labeller, is designed to provide the ideal solution for digital label printers requiring a complete end-to-end workflow. Aimed at existing Caslon customers or 3^rd party digital press front end, the unique labelling software merges a variety of RIP licences to create a full workflow solution. Also included is RealPro Toolkit, a new feature offering advanced ink handling and automated step and repeat tools within Adobe Creative Suite.

In addition, FFEI will be launching the much-anticipated RealPro ColourCloud which will be available to Caslon customers. The unique and cost-effective cloud-based colour application offers online ICC & Device Link profile creation combined with ink saving via a “pay-as-you-go” pricing model. The solution offers free registration allowing users to create and test profiles with no initial outlay. Ink saving is offered as standard and can be applied in profiles previewing the effect on the user’s own test images, which can be processed in the cloud, downloaded for viewing and assessed in advance of payment.

Visitors to the FFEI stand can also see live demonstrations of RealVue 3D Packager, a unique 3D visualisation software solution for fast carton packaging or label prototyping, and can hear more about FFEI’s market-leading CTP range.