Anjou Etiquettes has invested in digital printing by selecting the Xeikon CX3, the five-colour digital label press.

The move will allow Anjou Etiquettes to better position itself in the market for high quality short label printing runs and cost-efficient production of various label versions.

Established in 1978, Anjou Etiquettes is engaged in producing labels on rolls, sheets or non-stick labels for a wide variety of industries, ranging from agribusiness to phytosanitary, cosmetics, wine, among others.

The investment in the 5-color digital label press is a part of the firm’s plan to better position itself in the market for very high quality short label printing runs.

Designed to efficiently produce short runs with tight delivery times, the Xeikon CX3 has ability to meet complex design and layout demands.

The press complements Anjou Etiquettes’ existing printing equipment which include offset and letterpress presses.

Anjou Etiquettes chairman Maurice Darré said: “By having an alternative to offset and letterpress, we will be able to respond quickly and at very competitive prices to requests for short label printing runs and multiple versions.

“These are key markets which we were no longer servicing due to constraints in our production platform, and now they will be important elements of our offering.”

The Xeikon CX3 features dry toner technology which is suited for customers who use structured paper labels printed with hot- or cold-stamped gold foil and raised text.

Darré added: “We asked four suppliers to print out some files we provided so we could compare their print quality. The Xeikon CX3 digital label press performed best, as its printing registration is unequalled. It was also the best choice from a financial perspective.”

Xeikon said that Anjou Etiquettes has reduced its production time significantly since the commissioning of the new digital press.

Darré further said: “We estimate that digital printing will soon account for between 15% and 20% of our global business”

He noted that the firm has already received a number of orders for short printing runs in the cosmetics and confectionery industries.