Xeikon’s leadership team welcomed label and package printers to the company’s North American headquarters in Elgin, IL, USA, on June 9, 2025. Attendees witnessed live demonstrations of Xeikon’s newest digital printing equipment during the event, themed “Innovation in Action.”  In addition, guests learned about the latest industry trends and received the opportunity to network with company experts.

Kent Wolford, the newly appointed marketing director, Xeikon North America, and Robert Welford, president, Flint Group Digital, were on-hand to greet guests. There, they explained how Xeikon can work in tandem with converters to help them thrive.

“We want to show the industry what Xeikon is capable of doing, and that’s why we’re having this event today,” explained Wolford. “For us it’s always been the right solution for the right application. Both inkjet and toner have their places and make sense. When we sit down and consult with a client, we really want to understand their requirements, and then we’ll start talking about the press.”

“Despite the challenges facing the industry, performance this year has been very good for us,” added Welford. “The challenge for us is to make sure we satisfy customer requirements in North America.”

The team at Xeikon also highlighted the features of the company’s newest machines. Among those technologies on display: Xeikon’s TITON TX500 + Kurz and the PX3300HD Panther. The TITON TX500 + Kurz is what Xeikon terms the only food-safe digital metallization solution on the market. It also serves as a one-step embellishment method for premium label production.

“Obvious applications for us are wines and spirits, which always seem to have some sort of embellishment to them,” stated Wolford. “We can produce a wide variety of products, even posters where it’s like a piece of art. Security, with tax stamps and anti-counterfeiting, is another big area. Smart labels are a focus for us, too. Every label can be different.”

Amplifying print

Xeikon hosted its event the day prior to Amplify. As part of the open house, Xeikon welcomed Amplify attendees to its Elgin-based facility to showcase what’s possible in metallization and finishing.

“We feel like we have solutions that make sense for Amplify, especially with our partnership with Kurz,” said Wolford. “We have a lot going on with our technology, to have a finished product in a single pass. The Kurz unit is enjoying its formal launch this week, so the market can understand what our capabilities are. We have a lot of capabilities with our technology, not only with digital but also metallization.

“With metallization, we’re going to produce 1200 x 1200 dpi in an inline finished product,” added Wolford. “With Kurz, they also have extra foils available that can be ordered on an as-needed basis.”

The sustainability message was amplified at the “Innovation in Action” open house, as well. “We talk about sustainability and how important that is to us, and we really think that we’re the most sustainable supplier to the print industry,” stated Welford. “For us sustainability is not just saying we’re carbon neutral because we’re going to plant a tree. That’s greenwashing at its best. We use 60% recycled PET to make our consumables.”

“We’re into this business with both feet, legs, and arms,” added Wolford. “Especially on the inkjet side, it’s important to show we’re fully invested in the technology – from heads and inks to software and support.”

More than just technology

In addition to learning about Xeikon’s newest toner and inkjet technologies, attendees experienced first-hand how Xeikon is situated to help converters grow in their markets. With a technology that is advancing by leaps and bounds, finding the right partner is key to success.

Because Xeikon boasts inkjet and toner technologies, the company offers the solution that best meets the customer’s needs. “We’ve been a printing leader for over 35 years – so we’re not new to this industry, but we’ve learned a lot along the way,” noted Wolford. “From automation to sourceability, there are many more options. We like to think we’re going into the zone of disruption, where we have capabilities that other companies don’t.”

Xeikon’s extensive service network also serves as a calling card. “It’s not just about manufacturing a press and selling it – you have to support it,” remarked Wolford. “And we have a robust organization here to bring you to the next level. Our technology is suitable for a wide range of applications. We work in a lot of different applications most people might not think about.”