First investment in unique Fusion configuration

Eede, The Netherlands, – Dejonghe Printing Company in Ypres was the first to opt for the Fusion technology solution by Xeikon. The packaging and labelling specialist plans to use this investment for the production of, among others, self-adhesive labels on cosmetics. The configuration is made up of 3 modules, (1) Fusion module for the application of very high opaque white, (2) a Xeikon CX3 and (3) a Xeikon DCoat330. The Fusion module will be installed as pilot set-up.

The Fusion module is installed between the unwinder (used to unreel) and the Xeikon-press, and facilitates the application of very high opaque covering white by means of digital printing technology. The capacity will moreover be higher than 90%; a prerequisite for the production of certain high-quality labels such as those used for cosmetics.

The Xeikon CX3, also referred to as the "Cheetah", with a speed of 30 meter per minute, is the most productive five-colour label press in its class. Dejonghe Printing Company, one of the largest players in the Belgian packaging market, chose the Xeikon CX3 due to the top speed in combination with high-quality prints offered by the dry toner printing process and the option of enlarging the colour space via the 5th printing station. In addition, orange, blue and green can be used alternately to widen colour space.

The Xeikon DCoat330 is installed in-line with the Xeikon CX3 and is responsible for applying the finishing touches to the printed label material. In this process, the material is varnished with a UV varnish, punched and wound up onto a roll.

Top quality at high speed

Dejonghe Printing Company invested in a digital machine for the first time with the purchase of the Xeikon CX3. The printing company has a long history as family business dating back to its founding in 1890. Today, Birgit and Alexis Dejonghe are jointly at the helm of this printing company. Over the past 125 years, the five generations regularly invested in new technology from typo to offset, narrow belt labels and flexo to the production of duo labels and sleeves.

Birgit Dejonghe: "Quality is the top priority at Dejonghe Printing Company. Our standards meet the BRC-IOP-certification. We can meet the high demands of our customers thanks to our specialist knowledge of colour management. This new solution, consisting of the superior full colour quality of the Xeikon CX3 and the high-quality covering white applied in the Fusion module, even further enables us to meet our quality standards, to have a unique range on the market and, in addition, to increase the production speed."

Alexis Dejonghe adds: "In recent years, we have also experienced a trend of more diversification in the product portfolio of our customers in respect of high-quality labels. As a result, we are receiving a larger quantity of printing assignments, but for fewer copies. With our current printing processes, we are technically capable of producing this (flexo combined with screen print), but the costs attached make it less cost-efficient. We were therefore looking for a solution that offers comparable quality and functionality. With the Fusion technology, we see a combination of digital printing technologies that meets our needs for the first time."

The new concept of Fusion Technology brings the promise of a fully automated packaging production from order intake up to and including delivery to the customer closer. The technology combines full colour production with digital refinement in a single process. Fusion Technology, also referred to as digital combination printing, is a modular system built on a single platform where the printing processes are digital. These are then also all managed from the Xeikon X-800 (One-pass // One platform // all digital) – and that makes it possible that all printing plates can be variable – which therefore accounts for the automation of the entire production. This technology was demonstrated for the first time during the Brussels Labelexpo in 2015 and was also on display during the drupa trade fair.

Filip Weymans, Xeikon's Director Segment Marketing Labels & Packaging, decides: "Xeikon is proud to be able to welcome Dejonghe as customer. In recent years, digital printing has taken a significant position the landscape of self-adhesive products. However, the printing presses could only offer a response within the segment of full-colour printing, nevertheless a very important part of the market. For the refinement of specific packaging and labels, one has to return repeatedly to the analogue, conventional technologies that results in it not being possible to fully use the digital opportunities in the production of high-quality labels. Fusion technology offers an answer to this and the purchase by Dejonghe reinforces our vision to, besides full colour digital solutions, also create solutions that digitise specific types of refinement in combination with our dry toner printing presses that are extremely suitable for reproducing high-quality work."