DÜSSELDORF, GERMANY, May 29—The KODAK FLEXCEL NX Digital Flexographic System, previewed earlier and commercially available for the first time at drupa 2008, represents a new way of making flexo printing plates for higher levels of print quality, productivity, and stability. Providing extreme consistency and high resolution, the FLEXCEL NX Digital Flexographic System gives converters and package printers a competitive advantage by helping them deliver outstanding quality with a highly efficient solution.

“The FLEXCEL NX Digital Flexographic System is one of the most exciting and promising innovations this industry has seen in a long time,” said John Cross, General Manager, Packaging Products, Prepress Solutions, Kodak’s Graphic Communications Group. “The packaging market is poised for impressive growth because of increasingly global brand competition that makes appearance more important than ever. Historically, flexographers have found ways to make the best of the flexo process, but with this new solution, many of the variables and obstacles have been removed and providers will be able to consistently deliver the quality customers demand.”

Providing offset class, gravure quality on a wide variety of substrates—including paper, flexible film, foil, label stock, and folding cartons—the integrated FLEXCEL NX Digital Flexographic System includes the KODAK FLEXCEL NX Laminator, KODAK FLEXCEL NXH Digital Flexographic Plates, KODAK FLEXCEL NX 830 Thermal Imaging Layer, KODAK TRENDSETTER NX Mid or Narrow Imager, KODAK SQUARESPOT Imaging Technology, and KODAK PRINERGY Workflow System for Packaging.

Because the Thermal Imaging Layer is laminated directly to the plate, there is no issue with oxygen attack, enabling the formation of stable, full amplitude, flat top dots on the plate. Also, this process helps ensure that plates do not plug with ink as quickly as on other plates, so press uptime is dramatically increased and highlight dots and subtle gradations are consistently reproduced for all applications.

“Coupled with extended run length, ease of setup, and longer plate life, the FLEXCEL NX Digital Flexographic System takes package printing to an entirely new level,” added Cross. “Kodak has identified the needs in the flexo market and is committed to meeting those needs with a range of full featured, integrated products.”

With the FLEXCEL NX Digital Flexographic System, Kodak has achieved 300 lpi printing with densities in all colors above 2.0 with flexographic plates for the first time, demonstrating outstanding quality and tonal range reproduction. drupa 2008 attendees will see these samples, as well as others, printed on a variety of packaging substrates, and will be able to observe the imaging and laminating process at the Kodak stand throughout the event.

Beta testers of the FLEXCEL NX Digital Flexographic System have already captured several awards for their work. A recent competition sponsored by the Flexographic Technical Association saw nearly 600 entries submitted, and four entries printed using the FLEXCEL NX System won awards. Additionally, the Flexographic Pre-Press Platemakers Association (FPPA) presented the 2008 FPPA Technology Innovator of the Year awards recently at its annual meeting, and the KODAK FLEXCEL NX Digital Flexographic System was one of three products to earn the prestigious award. This marked the third time that Kodak had been honored by the association for its offerings in the flexographic marketplace.

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