Xeikon reopens café for business

The third edition of the Xeikon Café educational conference is back in 2017, with the event extended to four days to cater for extra demand.
 
Digital print solutions developer Xeikon – one of the original digital pioneers – says the event is designed to be an informal knowledge exchange platform around packaging and label innovations, demonstrating end-to-end digital production solutions with content presented by leading industry suppliers, including experts from Xeikon and its Aura partners.
 
Scheduled for March 28-31 at Xeikon’s Belgium headquarters, the event will be driven by high quality content and an interactive format, Xeikon Café offers first-hand, actionable information and advice on industry innovations and trends. The 2017 edition will offer a strong conference program with a focus on key innovations, technical aspects, and business education.
 
Filip Weymans, VP of marketing for Xeikon, explains, “A production process is more than just printing. It requires an efficient workflow with little human interaction, the right print media, economical consumables like foils, varnishes, and glues, and converting equipment that can effectively process media. As the market continues to evolve, there are challenges ahead in terms of reduced lead times from concept to the store. This is combined with the drive toward higher quality.”
 
He continues, “In addition, there is the need for packaging to be food safe, with several variants of the same products produced in different quantities, resulting in the shorter run lengths that present a challenge for conventional printing technologies. That’s why it is crucial for packaging converters to invest in digital technologies. At the same time there are a variety of opportunities to create new business models, building a service around the package. So many opportunities and so many challenges, but where can you see everything together?”
 
Xeikon says this is the value of its Xeikon Café – the ability for packagers to observe an end-to-end digital workflow, learn how to efficiently and effectively incorporate digital technologies into the mix and ask questions relevant to their production process.
 
Industry experts are also present to educate on market trends and the value of digital production.
 
In 2015, Xeikon Café attracted more than 800 attendees with representation from Australia, Asia, Europe and the Americas, including converters, brand owners and design agencies. In addition, approximately 30 industry suppliers from different segments demonstrated more than 15 live end-to-end applications, ranging from popular self-adhesive and wet glue labels to folding cartons and paper cups.
 
The Xeikon Café Packaging Innovations is a platform offered by Xeikon and its Aura partners, offering the opportunity to understand, evaluate and experience digital production, and enabling printers and converters to consciously make a business decision. Through demonstrations, presentations, workshops and discussions, participants receive first-hand actionable information and advice on industry innovations and trends. More information is available and free registration is possible at www.xeikoncafe.com.