Kodak PROSPER technology based on continuous inkjet is not really new. In fact, I wrote my first article on it in 2008, when they took the veil off the PROSPER S10 Imprinting System, the first production inkjet product based on their “Stream” continuous inkjet technology. When introduced, this imprinting system was unique in that it could be mounted inline on existing analog production print equipment and, more importantly, keep up with them at production speeds. The S10 and other subsequent S series mono and color imprint systems brought new life and capabilities to existing analog presses and finishing equipment operating at up to 3,000 fpm. This mixed hybrid printing approach had been used in narrow web label production in the past but never at those speeds. At drupa 2008, Kodak also demonstrated their first standalone PROSPER production inkjet concept press based on the Stream technology. Since that point in time, thousands of Kodak PROSPER S series imprinting systems have been placed around the globe, and PROSPER standalone presses operating at up to 1,000 fpm are printing direct mail, catalogs, newspapers, books, and many other higher-volume production print products digitally.

At drupa 2012, Kodak showed some very interesting concept products based on Stream technology that were targeted at packaging and décor. Unlike the other digital solutions for package printing being shown at drupa, these new hybrid solutions that Kodak developed along with partners were designed to produce packaging at speeds that were approaching analog production cost and performance on a wide variety of substrates. Since the new Kodak Enterprise Inkjet Systems Division (EISD) was envisioned more as an OEM partner instead of a complete press solution provider, they looked for ways to emulate the success they had with the PROSPER S series on a much grander scale with targeted solutions, even while they still sell complete PROSPER press systems. Changing the business model was not without its bumps, like the Bobst corrugated press development. But they got past that, and actually that press was sold in 2016 and is currently being used to great satisfaction by Model AG with over 40% year-over-year productivity improvement. They have already expressed interest in a second machine.

Kodak started working with Uteco prior to 2016 on the flexible packaging solution that was shown as one of the concept presses at drupa. This project presented new challenges to ink, primer formulation, and dryer engineering. That hybrid flexo and digital concept press has evolved into the Uteco Sapphire EVO press that was formally introduced in April of 2018. Since that time, one of the presses was installed in Italy producing work, as previously covered, in addition to the one previously installed in the US; and now another one is on order to be delivered to Japan later this year. These presses are designed for printing food and skin contact applications with water-based ink on plastic films at over 150 mpm (~500 fpm).