DIGITAL DOMAIN

Xeikon Targets Chinese Label Market

LIER, Belgium—Xeikon, a division of Punch Graphix, strengthened its China operation by partnering with one of the region's leading distributors, United Printing Equipment Corp. Under the terms of the distribution agreement, United Printing will support Xeikon in the labels and packaging printing market, providing sales and service support for the Xeikon 3000 and Xeikon 3300 digital presses, as well as the company's finishing, workflow, and substrate solutions for labels market.

Filip Weymans, business development manager labels and packaging at Punch Graphix, comments, "At drupa 2008, we made a clear commitment to the labeling market with the introduction of the award-winning Xeikon 3000 and 3300 digital presses. The appointment of a distributor dedicated to the labeling sector underlines this commitment. It will ensure Chinese printers have access to leading digital labels and packaging printing technology and receive outstanding customer support."

Shangai-based United Printing Equipment has more than ten years of experience supplying flexo printing equipment in China. Commenting on the new partnership, Benny Shaw, president of United Printing Equipment, says, "With the quality of digital printing technology advancing rapidly, more and more Chinese printers are looking at incorporating digital solutions into their infrastructures. The Xeikon digital presses are ideal for our region. They are very easy to use and integrate with their existing set-ups, which means that traditional printers will immediately enjoy the many commercial benefits they deliver and see a fast return on their investment."

Digital UV Ink 
Printing System

RONKONKOMA, N.Y.—Griffin-Rutgers Company, Inc., the North American representative for Heidelberg's Linoprint Digital Printing Systems, introduced Linoprint FixedLine, a digital UV ink printing system employing piezo-based, drop-on-demand inkjet technology. FixedLine provides high-resolution, real-time, variable in-line printing, coding, and decorating of folding cartons, labels, web stocks, and blister packs in widths up to 70, 140, or 210 mm, and at speeds up to 25 m/min.

Linoprint FixedLine's variable print information can be changed instantly during print runs, providing complete traceability via unique, high-quality imprints on every product or package. The print heads perform on vertical, horizontal, or inclined surfaces, enabling erect and filled packages and molded parts to be printed as easily and as well as flat stocks (cartons or webs). A compact unit regardless of printing width, FixedLine installs into any production line and works cleanly and reliably on most substrates, including paper, chipboard, and aluminum or plastics. Standard print resolution is 360 dpi (with an optional 720 dpi), but different sizes of printing dots generate up to eight grayscale levels, which, to the human eye, achieve a perceived resolution of more than 1080 dpi.

Masterpiece Graphix Releases HP Certified Materials

FENTON, Mo.—Hewlett-Packard (HP) has certified two Masterpiece Graphix materials for the HP Indigo ws6000 industrial roll press—Masterpiece Premium 18 pt. C1S Board Stock (R1275) and Masterpiece Premium 100# Calibration Paper (R1341).

Masterpiece Premium 18 pt C1S Board Stock is a bright white, heavyweight-coated cover, featuring a glossy coated side. It is an ideal choice for folding carton production, and is also suitable for hang tags, product tags, and jewelry and perfume boxes. Masterpiece Premium 100# Gloss Calibration Paper has been certified by HP to perform setup and calibration for the HP Indigo ws6000 press. pP