Improving label capacity: Xeikon develops new haptic effect technology

29 Aug 2019 --- Digital printing company Xeikon has developed a solution to enhance and increase printers’ range of labels. The combination of the Xeikon X-800 workflow and the PantherCure UV ink creates a tactile layer, responsible for a “haptic effect.” This enables printers to make labels with enhanced tactility, textures and a luxury feel, which are appreciated by the beer, beverage, food and health and beauty markets. The technology, which includes an automated optimization of the white ink layer, also helps companies save time by avoiding modifications to the prepress files.

“The haptic effects are not immediately visually apparent, but as people like to touch things, the effects are appealing in hand. Something that you can feel with your fingers adds more interest and encourages the consumer to take a proper look,” Stefan Clopterop of Xeikon tells PackagingInsights.

“The technology generating the tactile and textured layer is embedded in the Panther’s X-800 workflow. It is the brand owners and designers who define the structure, shape and form of the design. When the file is received, the workflow automatically recognizes the elements of the design and generates the information required to drive the print head – that’s what creates the haptic effect in print on the end product,” says Jeroen Van Bauwel, Director Product Management at Xeikon.

An opaque white layer is required on clear facestocks in order to make the design stand out. This can lead to varying ink thicknesses across the web, generating a telescoping effect on the printed rolls. As a result of this, press operators previously had to print smaller rolls, leading to more frequent roll changes and extra waste in material and time. However, now an automated process can cut the amount of time used in prepress to reduce the amount of white, using the X-800 digital front-end without intervention at any stage in the production process.

The updates allows for labels with enhanced tactility, textures and a luxury feel.

The extent of X-800’s white layer reduction depends on the colors that come on top of it, resulting in an increase in uptime during the manufacturing process. This is in terms of both printing and converting, as printers can now run larger rolls. This also saves on cost due to the reduced amount of white ink, as well as the waste reduction.

“Previously, most customers looking for a haptic effect used screen printing. However, the issue with that is if you have to put a high amount of inks in it, the process slows down to around 10 meters a minute. This expense, in addition to needing to fit screen-printing plates, means that customers have to produce smaller and shorter runs of their products. Inkjet printing is cost-saving because the speed of the press is three times higher than screen printing, and customers don’t need to buy expensive screen printing,” Clopterop continues. 

“We continue to look for opportunities to make savings on costs and time. By improving each small step of the process, we can make a big difference in the overall production process and reduce manufacturing costs. Achieving haptic effects in print through the capabilities of our X-800 workflow and ink optimization not only boosts and increases the range of possible applications but allows printers to streamline their operations,” Van Bauwel concludes.

Xeikon has also created a digital printing solution for pouches in the food, beverage, chemical and pharmaceutical industries. The company first digitally prints the text and graphics on a thermal laminate to prepare and ready the outside layer of the pouch for the next steps.

Tapping into the sustainability trend, Xeikon also partnered with paper products manufacturer Kotkamills Oy to print on its coffee cups. Xeikon’s digital printing method uses food-safe dry toner technology together with Kotkamills’ plastic-free, recyclable and biodegradable board to produce a digitally printed paper cup that “answers consumer demand for sustainable paper cups to be used for drinks on the go.”

By Katherine Durrell