Describe your company?

Better Labels is a three-decade old organisation and one of the first few label houses in South India. Over the years, we have been catering to corporate houses in and around Chennai. The strength of the company is primarily in areas such as retail, logistics, FMCGs, automobile and industrial client base.
 

Better Labels has a fully equipped plant with all the conventional process of label making like flexography, letterpress etc, to cater to all the segments of label market. With the changing trends in market and technology, we were propelled to make additional investments and hence we opted for the Xeikon 3050 digital label press.

 

What does the machine do?

The Xeikon 3050 is a digital label press designed for shorter runs. It has several unique features including the possibility to use various substrates (self-adhesive label stocks, paper, and transparent and opaque films) without any specific pre-treatment or coating. It employs full rotary dry toner electrophotography printing technology.  It has enabled us to tap the unique potential that the market had to offer, with its flexibility and ease of operation and its capabilities to handle short and variable runs.

 

Did you look at any other similar machine?

We investigated the HP Indigo presses, but we felt the Xeikon press was the best fit.

 

Why did you make the purchase?

We wanted to venture into digital as we believe it is the future. Xeikon’s quick turnaround and the ability to produce quality labels with added security features helped us make the decision. 

 

What features do you particularly like?

Xeikon’s ability to incorporate several security features into labels is its USP. The 1,200 dpi resolution enables us to use features such as microtext, guilloche patterns, scattered dots, graphics or cryptoglyphs. In addition, the clear toner can be used to add invisible text, codes or shapes to printed matter that is not easy to copy.

 

How fast is it?

It runs at 10m/min. 

 

How easy is it to use?

It’s easy to use. And we think we have understood the technology.

 

Has it won you any new work?

Yes, we have been able to target short-run label jobs with the Xeikon.
 

How much time or money has it saved?

With the Xeikon, we have earned significant savings in terms of number of plates especially when it comes to short-run jobs. Time spent for proofing or prototyping has been reduced to a great extent.

 

Would you say that it offers value for money?

It certainly offers value for money, saving time and cost, both for us as well as our customers.

 

Were there any difficulties experienced during the installation or after?

It was a smooth affair. 

 

What about the pre- and after-sales service?

I would say, the service from Flexo Image Graphics (FIG) is okay but there’s certainly room for improvement. 

 

Who do you think the machine is right for?

The machine is ideal for all well established label converters as long as they focus on the label market with a right strategy.

 

Under what circumstances would you invest in another?

It is too early to say. Whenever circumstances arise, Xeikon will be the first choice. n

Conclusion

User’s verdict   Speed  3/5 Quality 4/5 Reliability 4/5 Value for money 4/5

Supplier’s Response Sheetal Mishra, vice president, marketing and operations at Flexo Image Graphics (FIG), says, “Better Labels in Chennai has started commercial production in the first week of June. Their average production is over 1,500 linear metres per day. By September they are expected to reach 3,500 metres per day. Better Labels are focussing on the pharma, healthcare, FMCG, industrial market etc especially for short runs.”

Contact Sheetal Mishra vice president—marketing and operations Flexo Image Graphics +91 11 22376604 sheetal@aetee.com