ROCHESTER, N.Y., Mar. 28-The Flexographic Pre-Press Platemakers Association (FPPA) presented the 2008 FPPA Technology Innovator of the Year awards recently at its annual meeting in San Antonio. The KODAK FLEXCEL NX Digital Flexographic System was one of three products to earn the prestigious award from FPPA, marking the second time that Kodak has been honored by the association for its offerings in the flexographic marketplace.

Designed to recognize outstanding achievement within any production or administrative area of the prepress process, the FPPA Technology Innovator of the Year awards began in 2001 and are highly regarded within the flexographic community. Products or technologies that take an innovative approach to solving a problem or meeting a need in the industry are eligible for consideration for the award.

"For our annual awards, the word 'innovation' is defined as the introduction of something new, whether a method or a product," explained Fred Stringfellow, Executive Director, FPPA. "The concept of innovation includes enhancement of profitability, improved productivity, operating efficiency, and product quality."

Kodak was recognized for its FLEXCEL NX Digital Flexographic System, a revolutionary new method to make flexo printing plates for higher levels of print quality and productivity, enabling stability on press, and repeatability both on press and in prepress. Providing gravure class print quality on a wide variety of substrates-including paper, flexible film, foil, label stock, and corrugated cardboard-the integrated FLEXCEL NX Digital Flexographic System includes the KODAK FLEXCEL NX 830 Thermal Imaging Layer, KODAK FLEXCEL NX Laminator, KODAK TRENDSETTER NX Imager, KODAK FLEXCEL NX Digital Flexographic Plates, KODAK SQUAREspot Imaging Technology, and KODAK PRINERGY Workflow System for Packaging.

 "Kodak is committed to innovation and to meeting the dynamic needs of the flexo market," noted John Cross, General Manager, Packaging Products, Prepress Solutions, Kodak's Graphic Communications Group. "To be recognized by a leading association such as the FPPA is very gratifying. It certainly validates the work that we are doing to provide market leading solutions in the area of flexography."

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.