Xeikon is eager to showcase how direct marketing specialists can significantly improve campaign results by combining full communication solutions and cross media marketing. As an example, during a recent Xeikon Café, Xeikon created a retail marketing campaign around a customer loyalty program for fashion retailer Modo. The application illustrates the value of print among the broad selection of other media available. The fully dynamic mailing piece will also be demonstrated live during the Hunkeler innovationdays.

"The amount of data generated through loyalty programs and mailings is growing exponentially as more and more companies realize the business potential of this knowledge. As a result, they start utilizing the opportunities created as part of their marketing communication mix," explains Danny Mertens, Business Development Manager Document Printing at Xeikon. "As all new media focus on high quality, full color and personalized communication, that is what print has to match."

High quality cross-media applications with the Xeikon 8000

Xeikon noticed a tremendous growth in direct marketing applications on its presses. "Our highly creative customers and specialists in direct marketing see the printing business changing drastically as interest increases in the combined power of internet, digital and printed applications," continues Mertens. "Essential in the success of any creative campaign is the quality of print. With more than 15 years of experience in full color variable data print, we can support our customers every step of the way to ensure they make the most of the anticipated market growth."

High quality is crucial for all cross-media applications as image sharpness, color uniformity and crispness of text are all fundamental attributes demanded by printers. Increasingly important, too, is sustainability which is why Xeikon developed its next generation QA toners. Next to enabling printers to use almost any type of material and improve color quality, Xeikon's dry toner technology is also well known for its eco-friendliness compared to other printing technologies. The QA-P toner is 100% compatible with the increasing demand for global reductions of VOC emissions, and existing deinking and recycling installations as confirmed in independent research of Ingede, the international association of the paper recycling industry.

The Xeikon 8000 digital press, offering offset-like quality, will be shown at the event with inline finishing capabilities provided by Hunkeler and its partners. The high performing Xeikon 8000 flagship press is pitched perfectly to print the highest image quality at the best price. As a web-fed system it offers greater reliability and assures data integrity while allowing product flexibility for even the most innovative campaigns. Aside from providing true 1200 dpi imaging quality, this member of the Xeikon family offers an extended roll width of maximum 512 mm and guarantees printing speeds of up to 260 ppm or 19m/minute.

Long-term partnership

Xeikon's partnership with Hunkeler has already resulted in some highly productive installations worldwide. The innovationdays have become a pivotal exhibition date for the company. "Hunkeler truly understands the market and listens carefully to the needs of digital printers for finishing," comments Frank Jacobs, Product Manager at Xeikon. "Finishing often is crucial to complement our digital printing solutions. That is why Hunkeler is an important partner of Xeikon and we are pleased with the successful implementations achieved through this partnership."

"Visitors to the innovationdays will be given an opportunity to engage with the latest market trends and development in the field of digital productions processes. As one of our valued partners, we are pleased to welcome Xeikon again at this year's edition to demonstrate how they meet the changing needs of direct market professionals," says Erich Hodel, Director Sales at Hunkeler.