Label Solutions has said it has opened up new sales channels and entered the trade printing sector after making its foray into digital print with a Xeikon 3030 digital label press.

The Brentwood, Essex-based business opted for the five-colour machine for a variety of reasons such as the eradication of pre-coating of stock needed for standard label substrates.

Leslie Burden said: "Undoubtedly digital has been exhibiting extremely fast growth in the label sector in recent years, and we believe that the time is right for us to offer our own solution for customers in this sector of the market.

"Despite the current economic uncertainly, we have just had our busiest year with regard to flexo based production, so we believe that now is an ideal time for us to invest in the next stage of our business growth."

The seven-staff company has already begun to offer a trade label printing service to other label producers since installing the machine four weeks ago.

"Digital will enable us to offer something different to our existing customers, and also provide us with the tools to enter new markets," he said.

The company's new Xeikon 3030 features a 330mm web width and offers output speeds of up to 9.6m per minute.It is part of the manufacturer's 3000 series of digital label presses that includes the high-volume 3300 model, the 19.2m per minute 3500 flagship machine and the new entry-level Xeikon 3050, which is targeted at print businesses making a foray into wide-width label printing.