Yixun | 111Yixun ramps up digital investment The Shandong, China-based label converter is learning how a digital press fts into its conventional operations. Yolanda Wang reportsounded in 2003, located in Qingdao, Shandong Province, to customers’ needs, especially to support new processes and Chinese label converter Yixun has an annual per capita output technologies.’exceeding 1m RMB (151,320 USD). Lv has invested heavily in new equipment. When L&L visits, FIn 2021, the company invested in its frst digital press – a Lv explains: ‘The machines you see now in our workshop are all Haotian HTS330 inkjet machine. In 2022, the company will install newly invested in the last two years. We update our equipment the latest Label Source F6 in-line fexo press, with 12 color units very regularly.’and two rotary screen printing units. Today Yixun is equipped with two Qianrun full rotary letterpresses, two Fuji sheetfed digital toner presses, a Haotian Transfer into printing intermittent letterpress, Polly rotary die-cutting machines, Daheng Lv Zhitao, general manager of Yixun, worked in his early days in the online and offine inspection systems, as well as a laser die-cutting adhesive tape industry before founding the Yixun company, which machine and CTP plate making unit.was originally mainly engaged in the production and sales of a In order to ensure the highest levels of effciency in the event variety of adhesive tape products. of equipment failure or maintenance, Yixun’s equipment is all Later in 2013, he began to transform the company into a label duplicated. ‘For the Qianrun rotary letterpress, for example, we frst converter by chance. purchased a machine equipped with a cold stamping unit. In the So how did he enter this industry? same year, we invested in the second Qianrun letterpress. This is ‘At that time, we considered tape and self-adhesive labels mainly to guarantee production in case one machine has broken both belong to adhesive products. Many tape users also need down or is undergoing maintenance.’ self-adhesive label products. On the other hand, more importantly, I The company also holds a high level of dies and magnetic think PS label printing has higher added value and greater potential rolls in stock. ‘This is in consideration of the needs of customers than tapes for future development.’ for different formats of label products. When the fexo printing In the early stages, Yixun experienced rapid business growth. machines are installed, we also plan to equip ourselves with But as he entered more deeply into the label business, Lv Zhitao multiples of different size cylinders.’discovered the signifcant differences between the two industries, Reviewing the development of Yixun, Lv Zhitao says: ‘This is not especially with regard to equipment investment. ‘For tape a simple industry. This is especially true in the face of multiple production, the equipment is relatively simple and the upgrades do pressures from Covid-19, rising raw material costs and more not come as quickly as for label presses. Label production is more rigorous environmental protection policies. We are very lucky complex, and you are required to invest in a range of equipment because Yixun has accumulated a lot of high-quality customers from pre-press plate making to printing, die-cutting, stamping and after many years’ efforts. The company’s total output in 2021 inspection.’ has grown at a very small pace compared with 2020, which is the He adds: ‘And these machines need to be updated according common situation of many of our peers.’“Just as label converters need time to understand and accept digital printing technology, brand owner customers also need time to embrace it”Haotian digital press Haotian rotary letterpress Apr - Jun 2022