Marketing solutions company eyes growth in customized CR80 cards and postcard production 

Itasca, IL - Xeikon, an innovator in digital color printing technology, announced today that Valtim Marketing Solutions a Forest, VA-based provider of cross-media solutions, has purchased a Xeikon 8500 digital color press to grow its personalized membership cards business.

A family-owned company that was started in 1986, Valtim offers integrated marketing, fulfillment and call center solutions to its customers. Valtim purchased the Xeikon press so that it could produce its CR80 cards more cost-effectively, using variable data digital printing, for its customers - which include major organizations, such as the National Rifle Association and the American Red Cross. The company has also purchased an Autofeeds laminator and diecutter along with the new press.

Valtim's acquisition of the Xeikon press will significantly shorten the production cycle of the CR80 cards. In addition, the company's customers will no longer have to maintain an inventory of blank membership cards in advance of printing. Valtim will be able to produce the cards on demand.

"Our card business is a two-step process - the Xeikon press will enable us to make it a one-step process," said David Baldree, Valtim's Director of Operations. "Maintaining inventory of cards is a difficult cost proposition for our customers because of the logistics of storage and cash management. All of that will go away with the Xeikon 8500."

Baldree added that the Xeikon press will also take over production of high-volume, variable data postcards, which is currently handled by cut-sheet devices. "We're very excited about some of the new avenues the Xeikon technology will allow us to get into because of its unique capabilities," he said.

The Xeikon 8500 is the entry-level press of the Xeikon 8000 Series, which is specifically designed for document and commercial printing applications. The press is ideal for a variety of applications, including direct marketing/direct mail, retail signage, posters, banners as well as wallpaper borders and murals. It prints at a top speed of 39 feet per minute and can handle monthly duty cycles of up to 5 million letter-size impressions. The press has an imaging width of 19.8 inches and unlimited imaging length with no frame or sheet size restrictions. It also offers true 1200 DPI imaging quality.

According to Todd Blumsack, vice president of sales and marketing, Xeikon America, "We are excited to partner with Valtim as the company grows its on demand, variable data digital printing capabilities. The Xeikon 8500 is the perfect choice for improving production and cost efficiencies. We are pleased to be a part of Valtim's continued success."