Xeikon

Short runs are becoming business as usual for converters, with brand owners wanting more and more runs of reduced lengths. A recent InfoTrends survey of packagePRINTING readers set out to see to what extent such runs are becoming more common. We obtained responses from 69 companies, each a converter of labels, folding cartons or both. The general results indicate that respondents' print jobs now include a significant share that is less than a few thousand linear feet, and that the share is growing.

The sweet spot for digital is still in the label segment of packaging. For now, moderate-speed digital presses will continue serving as short-run alternatives to flexography, empowering those machines to operate at optimal speeds and throughput. When the performance of both systems is optimized, their coexistence in a converting plant can bring greater profitability to the bottom line.

The label market continues to be amazingly dynamic and presents an immense range of opportunities for converters no matter which technologies they use. And best of all, it's only going to grow and expand. No one, after all, wants to live in a world without labels.

Indications of a North American economic recovery are popping up everywhere. From a large jump in new orders by U.S. non-manufacturers to a continued increase in long-term housing demand, there is ample reason to be hopeful.

In May it was Belgium for Xeikon Café, a packaging-focused open house at Xeikon's headquarters in the Antwerp suburb of Lier. More than 200 customers and prospects were on hand, along with representatives of 28 companies that partner with Xeikon in developing and delivering solutions for labels and folding cartons.

So just how widespread is digital printing in our industry, and what might the future hold? To find out, packagePRINTING magazine and InfoTrends recently conducted a survey of North American label and packaging converters. Over 100 converters offered up some interesting responses. Take a look.

Digital printing is here to stay in the packaging space and will become more important over the next few years. Taking advantage of the value it offers requires balancing imaging technology and substrate selection to achieve the best possible results.

Featured Products for the flexographic, narrow-web and package printing industries, including Agfa, Heidelberg, Esko, Kodak,

Industry News on the package printing industry, including Middleton Printing, GPA, DuPont, Labels Unlimited, OEC Graphics, Toray Plastics (America)

Anderson & Vreeland has added Xeikon's ThermoFlexX solutions to its portfolio after the two companies signed a distribution agreement. The ThermoFlexX line of digital imagers is a complement to the Xeikon 3000 Series of digital label and packaging presses.