“Staying ahead at a technological level”: Altrif speeds up labeling output with digital printing

23 Mar 2018 --- Altrif Label, a label printing company in the Benelux and St-Luc Labels & Packaging group – has improved its output with new technology: Zeikon CX500. As the first beta-tester of the Xeikon CX500, Altrif Label, based in the Netherlands, is aiming to stay ahead at a technological level.

When the Xeikon CX500 was launched, Altrif Label was “happy” to perform a beta test. “We need to stay ahead of the market, so it’s always good to be the first to try a machine like this. The Xeikon CX500 is as fast as the Xeikon CX3, which we also use. But on top of the full rotary printing speed of 30 meters per minute, the Xeikon CX500 has a unique web width of up to 520 mm,” says Dion Goderie, COO.

Regarding productivity, the Xeikon CX500 is said to outperform all high-quality digital label presses for the production of larger sized labels and labels requiring opaque white or extended gamut. 

Market developments and the availability of new technology has radically changed the demand for labels and packaging. Today, a job of 10.000 labels is considered as short run production. “You can have 20 variants of the same brand on one label format,” says Goderie. “It’s even possible to print unique personalized labels at full speed production. The demand for variable print is growing immensely. This requires in-house prepress and years of experience.”

Arlif Labels has a 35-year history and has customers in over 16 countries. They produce labels for brand owners, including multinational corporations and the pharmaceutical industry.

“We see a clear increase in the demand for digital print. Our customers are interested in good quality at a fair price and are not so much concerned about the techniques we use to make our products. Digital print, however, gives us the tools we need to meet the demand for short runs and fast delivery,” adds Goderie.