Abbey Labels adds Xeikon Lion press with Eco toners

Abbey Labels, UK-based converter, has become the first in UK to install new Xeikon LX3000 digital press, also known as ‘The Lion,’ at its Suffolk facility. This high-speed press, featuring advanced inspection and eco-friendly toners, joins two Xeikon CX300s at the company's Bury St Edmunds site.

Printing at up to 42m/min (138 ft/min), this five-color, dry toner press offers a significant jump in productivity. It features Cruise Control inspection to ensure that only the highest quality labels leave the building, according to chairman Tom Allum. 

‘As expected, the Lion has quickly settled into our label operation. This new beast gives us fantastic speed, excellent 1200 dpi print quality and industry-leading sustainability in one high-productivity package,’ Allum commented, adding, ‘As the first full installation in the UK, the Lion is another great opportunity for Abbey Labels to bring more value for our customers. And not only does the impressive 40 percent speed increase provide more printing capacity, it also reduces the energy consumption per linear meter.’ 

In addition to higher speed, the LX3000 press takes advantage of Xeikon’s new Eco toner technology which reportedly reduces the carbon footprint of the process by more than 10 percent, making label production sustainable. Eco toners are made with 60 percent recycled plastic materials, are free from PFAS and are certified vegan. Like Xeikon’s older toners, they are also food-safe and contain no harmful Bisphenol-A (BPA), mineral oil or photoinitiators. 

‘More than simply offering faster speeds and guaranteed high quality with the new Cruise Control system, the LX3000 is also the environmentally friendly choice. Our brand owner clients demand proven sustainability to help reduce their carbon footprints, so we’re particularly pleased to be able to offer all the green benefits of Xeikon’s new Eco toners. This was a definite selling point for us,’ explained Allum. 

Keen to fulfil his long-held ambition, the deal with Xeikon was sealed at drupa last June when Allum travelled to Germany for the official handshake. ‘Ever since I first started visiting drupa as a teenager with my dad, I’ve dreamt of signing for a new press at the world’s largest print show,’ he said with a smile. ‘We’d only just agreed to invest in the LX3000 the day before the show opened, so we had to make quick arrangements for the trip to Düsseldorf. It was well worth it though, because it’s so much better to finalize these deals in person.’ 

Having accelerated digital printing capacity over the past couple of years by 50 percent, Abbey Labels has also made significant investments in new converting capabilities and built a dedicated finishing hall, which positions it well to take productivity and sustainability to the next level with the new Xeikon LX3000 press.  

Allum concluded: ‘Just a few weeks in, we’ve seen a big change in our turnaround times and output speeds, as the Lion is literally eating label job after label job in no time at all. With this press and the new Eco toners, we’re ready for the next chapter in our history. Most importantly, we have invested in what I truly believe is one of the most, if not the most, environmentally friendly and sustainable digital label printing technology on the market today.’