Xeikon targets commercial with new SX20000

Digital print solutions developer Xeikon has bolstered its graphic arts and commercial product portfolio with the launch of the Xeikon SX20000 digital colour press.

According to Xeikon, the new SX20000 has “a high level of application flexibility”, and it says this “versatile press” will suit printers working in the production of high-quality books and direct mail, PoS materials, security print and general commercial print applications. It prints at the equivalent of 1700 B2 sheets an hour.

This is the second duplex press to come to market based on Xeikon’s Sirius dry toner technology, and the company says it presents “an excellent value proposition for printers looking for a cost-effective machine that will give them superior image quality, perfect registration front to back and exceptional colour quality control”. 

Trevor Crowley, general manager of sales at Xeikon ANZ says, "The new Xeikon SX20000 has all the benefits of the SX30000, with its high resolution, and ability to print on any substrate without priming, but comes in at a lower investment level. It is scalable though. It means that a print business can start off with the 20 metres a minute SX20000, then as business grows can add an extra 50 per cent productivity to 30 metres a minute, without having to add an extra shift or invest in a second printer."

The Xeikon SX20000 is available for physical and online demonstrations at Xeikon’s Global Innovation Center in Antwerp, Belgium, and is globally commercially available now.

Dimitri Van Gaever, market segment director, says, “In today’s printing world, we all know it’s about delivering value that encompasses quality, performance, sustainability and competitive pricing. With the launch of the Xeikon SX20000, Xeikon is offering printers in the graphic arts and commercial markets an investment opportunity – a press with unequalled capabilities at an attractive investment level.

“The Xeikon SX20000 has all the innovations of its flagship predecessor, the Xeikon SX30000, which makes it a consistent, reliable all-round performer.”

The new SX20000 is able to run at a printing width of 508mm, on a broad range of substrates at 1200x3600dpi, at speeds of 20m/min or 1700 B2 sheets an hour.

Van Gaever says, “This single pass, duplex press is geared towards printers looking to streamline and optimise the production of high value, premium quality print with high coverage content on high quality papers.”

The Xeikon SX20000 offers scalability with upgrades available in both speed and colour stations.

Xeikon says it has noted the significant resurgence in printed book production in the last couple of years. Book sales have risen sharply due to easy availability through online channels and renewed interest in high quality books. The rise in demand is stimulating book publishers and printers to look at their business strategies, and many are now choosing quality over speed. The company says with the SX20000 digital colour press, designers and printers have no limitations.

It says rotary printing makes it simple with “perfect registration and imposition on much longer substrates, so no repeat size, fixed sheet format or frame length”. This becomes a significant advantage in the finishing department. On this single pass duplex press, there are no coverage limitations, no special inks.

Xeikon’s strategy is to offer the Xeikon SX20000 as a versatile and flexible print production platform for specialist jobs, such as quality targeted direct mail. Many direct mail companies are using high quality papers for a limited audience, as well as the fifth station on the press for brand colours.

To develop Sirius dry toner technology, Xeikon built on the four major areas of toner development, imaging technology, fusing technology and media conditioning, and every key component impacts on the overall quality result. Xeikon says Sirius “delivers the widest application and substrate range combined with lower running costs and a compelling overall total cost of ownership (TCO) and overall OEE”.

Van Gaever says, “We believe the launch of the Xeikon SX20000 comes at the right moment in time. Printers looking for a roll fed machine with maximum efficiencies, a powerful workflow for full colour control and automated imposition, plus all the processes necessary to compete, need look no further.

“Many printers working in the graphic arts and commercial print markets are aware that they need to streamline their operation, reduce their TCO, increase productivity and uptime and also review their equipment. Printers looking for new revenue streams and considering a broader range of applications may be restricted because of printing equipment limitations.

“Our single pass duplex press is designed to maximise and deliver a market leading performance and unequalled sustainability. The Xeikon SX20000 has everything and more to guarantee business growth and become the cornerstone of any print business.”