Kodak unveiled a range of new and innovative solutions for digital and traditional print production at drupa 2024. With the products and solutions showcased, Kodak enables printers to take their productivity, sustainability and profitability to a higher level. Kodak highlights these innovations and enhanced solutions:
Greater production versatility and inline capabilities in high-speed inkjet
The new Kodak Optimax Pre-coater enables efficient inline or offline application of primer to substrates for production inkjet printing. Optimized for use with Kodak Optimax Primers, the Optimax Pre-coater is demonstrated inline with the groundbreaking Kodak Prosper Ultra 520 Press at Kodak’s booth. The Optimax Pre-coater enables inkjet printing on virtually any paper and helps printers shift more jobs from offset to inkjet. It minimizes ink consumption and improves drying times, so printers benefit from increased throughput and lower operational costs while reducing reliance on costly inkjet pretreated papers.
From the portfolio of the new Kodak Finishing Solutions, developed and manufactured by Kodak, the Prosper Ultra 520 Press is featured inline with roll-to-roll and roll-to-fold solutions. A full-color flyer is folded and trimmed inline. Additionally, posters are cut from printed rolls and stacked in a nearline application. The versatile, fully customizable devices establish Kodak as a full-service provider of integrated webfed finishing solutions for high-speed inkjet workflows.
The new Kodak Prosper Print Bar, which incorporates Kodak Prosper Plus or Prosper S-Series Imprinting Systems, brings superior flexibility and color-to-color registration accuracy to inline or nearline hybrid printing. Using Kodak Stream Inkjet Technology and water-based Kodak Ektacolor Inks, the Prosper Print Bar enables monochrome to CMYK printing with a seamless print width of up to 315 mm with preconfigured solutions, or wider with custom configurations. This innovation can be integrated into offset, flexo and gravure presses as well as postpress and converting lines for high-quality imprinting of custom packaging, security and commercial print applications.
The Kodak Prosper Ultra 520 Press, powered by Kodak Ultrastream Continuous Inkjet Technology, prints various high-quality applications live every day during drupa. Using Kodachrome Inks, the press is demonstrated at full production speeds of up to 152 mpm (500 fpm). The Prosper Ultra 520 Press is unique in its ability to print its highest resolution at full speed – even for high-ink coverage applications requiring glossy paper. It delivers quality on par with offset and offers flexibility for printing on a wide variety of substrates including uncoated and coated papers, standard offset papers, newsprint and recycled papers.
Offset solutions that improve efficiency, automation and sustainability
The new Kodak Sonora Ultra Process Free Plate is the pinnacle of process-free technology, breaking new ground in image contrast (up to 9x stronger than competitors), white light exposure tolerance (5x better) and plate image stability up to 6 weeks when stored in the dark. Today, more than 6,000 customers around the world are using Kodak process-free plates. Sonora Ultra is the newest and smartest way to join the process-free revolution. The pioneering plate boosts printers’ productivity and flexibility while opening the door to the rich benefits that come with eliminating processing chemistry and plate processing equipment.
The new Kodak Magnus Q3600 Titan Platesetter is the most versatile CTP system on the market. It offers enhanced automation, productivity, and reliability for 4-up, 8-up, and VLF (max. 1,600 x 2,083 mm) plate imaging. With the multi-pallet loader (MPL) configuration for up to 7,500 plates online and optional W-Speed throughput reaches 52.6 plates per hour (at 1,030 mm plate width along the drum). The innovative VLF CTP solution features more accurate, faster and reliable positioning of the Kodak Squarespot imaging head and a 1/3 smaller footprint than its closest competitor.
Workflow software for smart integration of digital and traditional print
The browser-based Kodak Prinergy Access 2.0 content management SaaS solution includes new proprietary Intelligent Layout technology which dynamically imposes files accurately and efficiently for any production line. Prinergy Access puts print buyers in control of file preparation from anywhere and streamlines file submission, preparation, layout and routing of production-ready files. It also includes a feature-rich customer portal with Smart Review as well as Kodak’s industry-leading Preflight+, color management, file management, backup, trapping and routing software.
In today’s “and” era of print, software is the key to the seamless and successful integration of any offset and digital printing technologies. The Kodak Prinergy Platform provides a single, integrated, and future-proof workflow solution that consolidates production across digital and analog printing processes. The Prinergy Platform is compatible with virtually all third-party software and equipment and connects with the broadest range of digital presses.
Kodak has also demonstrated its Kodak Prinergy Business Solutions. The printing industry’s first and only fully integrated and managed business software portfolio including print-specific MIS/ERP, E-commerce and collaboration applications. A flexible and scalable end-to-end solution for organizations of any size, Prinergy Business Solutions gives customers a single platform to work from and one vendor to work with. The Prinergy Platform is demonstrated at the Kodak stand and the stand of its industry partner Koenig & Bauer (Hall 16/A31-1 – A31-5) at drupa.
“Today, at drupa 2024, we are unveiling a range of innovative products that demonstrate Kodak’s commitment to investing in innovation across our complete portfolio of traditional and digital solutions. Kodak’s understanding of the entire print shop allows us to provide printers with the cutting-edge, highly automated solutions they need for their current and future business needs from a single source,” said Jim Continenza, executive chairman and chief executive officer, Kodak. “Our One Kodak approach ensures we provide printers with customized inkjet, offset and workflow solutions that help them meet the evolving needs of their customers and succeed in the markets they serve.”
