Kodak Formally Launches Prosper Inkjet Press #Ipex

BIRMINGHAM, UK, May 18—Kodak innovation unveiled at Ipex 2010 helps customers capitalize on the unprecedented forces of change within the worlds of printing, packaging, publishing, and marketing.

“Today, we introduced six new revolutionary products, most notably the Kodak Prosper 5000XL Press, that will change print forever and accelerate the transformation of the graphic communications industry,” said Antonio M. Perez, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Eastman Kodak Company. “We are bringing print into the future with Kodak innovation that will help our customers grow their businesses and improve profitability. I promised at drupa 2008 that Kodak would change print forever, and today the fruits of that promise are on display at Ipex 2010.”

In Stand 09-E320, Kodak introduces a powerful range of digital, offset and flexographic products to its integrated portfolio. The new solutions from Kodak on display at Ipex represent the most advanced tools for marketing and production, leveraging Kodak’s many years of materials and image science leadership and providing customers with a competitive advantage. Kodak is committed to being the best partner to help customers grow their businesses, developing solutions that maximize productivity, optimize supply chain efficiency, and improve Return on Marketing Investment (ROMI) with personalized, relevant communications.

In addition to seeing some of the newest products in action, visitors to Kodak’s stand at Ipex have the opportunity to talk with experts to find the best solutions for their businesses or production needs. The Pipeline of Innovation, an interactive digital display, lets visitors learn more about the various applications enabled by Kodak Products, while the K-Zone gives customers a chance to hear from experts and peers about what trends are driving industry now and those that will in the future. More information about Kodak’s presence at Ipex can be found at www.kodak.com/go/ipex.

New Prosper Press delivers true offset class performance
Highlighting Kodak’s presence at the show is the Kodak Prosper 5000XL Press. Based on the innovative Kodak Stream Inkjet Technology, the Prosper 5000XL Press delivers offset class output with 100 percent variability, enabling print and marketing service providers to maximize production and supply chain efficiencies while improving return on marketing investment. For book publishers, the Prosper Press Platform provides an ideal solution for short-run books with economics that drive operational and supply chain efficiencies for run lengths up to 7,000 books.

The Prosper 5000XL Press is a groundbreaking continuous inkjet press that is up to 38 percent more productive than competitive inkjet systems and features a print speed of up to 650 fpm (200 mpm) with image quality approaching up to 175 lpi. Able to handle both uncoated and coated papers, including glossy coated, the Prosper 5000XL Press has a monthly duty cycle of up to 120 million A4 pages and is ideal for everything from short-run book production to catalogs, direct mail, and more.

Paper is a critical part of the printing process and at Ipex, Kodak will unveil its comprehensive strategy for the Prosper Press Platform. The plan encompasses development partnerships with world-leading paper mills to produce paper optimized for inkjet printing; an in-line paper pre-treatment module for the Prosper Press to allow the use of offset and existing inkjet paper stocks; and a paper certification program to help printers confidently and reliably select appropriate paper stocks for various applications.

Also debuting at the show is the Kodak Prosper S10 Imprinting System with process color capability, which enables part-page and full-page variable color print inline with an offset press or web finishing line. Kodak is creating a worldwide network of system integrators to develop solutions ideal for direct mail, catalog, and other custom publishing solutions, as well as transaction documents.

Customers are now able to leverage the specialty printing capabilities of offset—including metallic inks, heavy color saturation, scratch-off coatings, and other specialty inks—to create a high-value shell that can then be customized with process color digital printing inline at production speeds. This game-changing capability opens new opportunities with one of the most cost-effective and uniquely efficient hybrid digital color solutions on the market.

“Stream Inkjet Technology offers so much potential to truly change print, from the Prosper Presses to the Prosper S-Series hybrid print solutions in monochrome or color configurations,” Perez added. “Our commercial print customers have told us what they need to meet the communications requirements of their clients, and we are giving them a platform that can grow with them for years to come.”

Print Genius introduced for Kodak Nexpress SE Platform
The Kodak Nexpress SE Digital Production Color Platform delivers consistency, reliability, and ease of use. With a series of breakthrough technologies, Nexpress SE Presses provide commercial printers with advanced quality and productivity for a range of digital applications including personalized direct mail, photo books, and collateral.

A key feature of the Nexpress SE Platform is Print Genius, a suite of customer solutions delivered through quality control tools and options for managing and maintaining peak quality throughout a production run. Print Genius encompasses three primary categories of innovation in Nexpress SE Presses—image science, quality assurance and workplace productivity—and the benefits they deliver such as high output quality, short turnaround times, minimal labor and running costs, and reduced artifacts and printing errors.
Print Genius also supports value-added applications and solutions such as dimensional printing, clear coating, glossing, watermarking, protection coating and MICR made possible by Kodak Fifth Imaging Unit Solutions with Nexpress Presses.

Kodak Trillian SP Thermal Plates raise the stakes in plate technology
For offset printers, Kodak is introducing the next revolution in high-performance no-preheat printing plate technology in its new Kodak Trillian SP Thermal Plates. Trillian SP Plates are designed to offer commercial printers, publishers and offset package printers outstanding levels of productivity and efficiency. Trillian SP Plates also lower the total cost of ownership—and provide environmental benefits—by using significantly less chemistry and eliminating the use of preheat and postbake ovens, even for long jobs in harsh chemical environments. The new plates are widely compatible with existing CTP and processing equipment, enable easier processor cleaning and less maintenance, and provide high-quality, consistent performance on press.

The Trillian SP Plate is a non-ablative, negative working, thermal digital plate with wide operating latitude for long runs and offers excellent resistance to aggressive press chemistry such as UV inks and blanket washes. The plate operates in the 800-850 nm range and supports resolutions up to 300 lpi using Kodak SQUAREspot Imaging Technology. It is rated for up to 500,000 impressions unbaked.

Kodak flexographic product line extended
The package printing and converting market continues to grow and change as flexographic printers pursue improvements in quality and efficiency throughout the production process. At Ipex, Kodak is expanding the range of its flexo solutions, adding the Kodak FLEXCEL NX Wide System, the Kodak Flexcel Direct System and the Kodak Flexcel SRX System. These additions join the award-winning Kodak Flexcel NX Digital Flexographic System in the Kodak flexographic product line to address different needs in the very diverse package printing market.

Kodak Ink Optimizing Solution maximizes ink savings
Designed to reduce ink consumption and improve ink costs for web and sheetfed printers, Kodak COLORFLOW Software with the new Kodak Ink Optimizing Solution improves print quality through greater press stability. The Ink Optimizing Solution produces ICC device link profiles that can be used to re-separate images automatically within the Kodak Prinergy Workflow and applies sophisticated color-conversion intelligence to convert color blends and reduces the amount of CMY ink while preserving print quality.

Kodak’s Print Practice Consultancy delivers custom workflow solutions
Tying all of the powerful Kodak Solutions for graphic communications together, Kodak Unified Workflow Solutions help customers organize and manage their production processes and ensure that they are getting the most from their equipment. For those service providers looking for specific tailored assistance, Kodak is launching its new Print Practice Consultancy. The new service will help customers identify and address the challenges in their individual environments, and deliver specific, targeted client solutions. Those making the transition from print service provider to marketing service provider, or looking to grow their client and revenue base, will benefit from the technical expertise and market knowledge Kodak offers. Within the Print Practice Consultancy, Kodak assesses a customer’s needs and designs an optimized solution to achieve their individual business goals.

“From our unique, interactive booth space and the discussions taking place in the K-Zone to the revolutionary new products and the expertise of our dedicated staff, only Kodak provides such a unique combination of conventional and digital solutions in a unified workflow,” concluded Perez.

Kodak Products are backed by Kodak Service and Support. Kodak Service and Support is made up of more than 3,000 professionals in 120 countries. It is a leading multi-vendor integrated services provider, delivering consulting, installation, maintenance and support services for commercial printing, graphic communications, document imaging, data storage and retail industries. Kodak Service and Support professionals are uniquely qualified to provide services that control costs, maximize productivity, and minimize business risk.

About Kodak
As the world’s foremost imaging innovator, Kodak helps consumers, businesses, and creative professionals unleash the power of pictures and printing to enrich their lives.
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In the graphic communications market, Kodak offers the broadest portfolio of integrated solutions to help customers grow their business. For more information, visit www.graphics.kodak.com. For downloading photos and videos from Kodak’s image library, visit www.kodak.com/go/gcgimages.