Limpet Labels moves into digital with Xeikon 3000 investment

Limpet Labels has added "an important piece of the jigsaw puzzle" to its print portfolio after making its first foray into digital print with the purchase of a Xeikon 3000.

The Wrexham, North Wales-based business invested in the new colour label press to respond to a growing demand for shorter run lengths and on-demand print runs.

Lee Goode, managing director of Limpet Labels, said that, with the growing role digital label printing plays in the current market, it was important to keep up-to-date with technology.

"We recognise that customer needs are changing with shorter run lengths, just-in-time production, and a larger number of product variants," he said.

"Undoubtedly, digital gives a label print business significantly more flexibility and that is something that we believe our customers will benefit from."

Limpet Labels, which was established in 1992, serves a wide range of clients that include the chemical, oil and hygiene industries.

Its new label press will run alongside two Mark Andy LP3000 flexo presses and automatic screen printing presses, which help to output more than 5m labels each month.

The Xeikon 3000 has been designed for the production of short- to medium-run lengths and can print at speeds of up to 9.6m a minute at resolutions of 1,200dpi.

As well as printing on standard stocks, the Xeikon 3000 can handle substrates including self-adhesive films, co-extruded films, unsupported films, and transparent and opaque foils.