CHICAGO - Kodak announced today at Print 09 that Lifetouch National School Studios recently installed its first three KODAK NEXPRESS S3000 Digital Production Color Presses. The company is also using KODAK PRINERGY Digital Workflow to maximize its productivity and efficiency.

"We were in the market for a digital press that could meet our current production needs and allow us to offer new capabilities and applications that will help us continue to grow," said Dave Birkemeier, Vice President, Manufacturing, Lifetouch. "What further solidified our decision was the uptime and reliability of the NEXPRESS Platform."

The KODAK NEXPRESS Presses were put into action earlier this year, just before the Spring production season for school yearbooks. According to Birkemeier, the presses exceeded their expectations during the entire production season. The presses performed consistently and satisfied Lifetouch production criteria for both quality and uptime.

"We're now looking at moving into new value-added capabilities and applications with the Fifth Imaging Unit Solutions," said Birkemeier. "We see many opportunities to develop highly-customized, attention-grabbing photo products that students and parents desire."

KODAK NEXPRESS Fifth Imaging Unit Solutions deliver unique capabilities-including the award-winning KODAK NEXPRESS Dimensional Printing Solution, spot color, protective coating, and glossing-that extend the value of digitally printed photo products. NEXPRESS Fifth Imaging Unit Solutions also rely on press profiling and standard inks to match up to 82 percent of the PANTONE PMS and Goe spot color gamut with no custom mixing required.

"Photo press products such as photo books, greeting cards, and calendars continue to offer tremendous opportunities for commercial and photo services providers," said Karl Post, Worldwide Photo Segment Manager, Kodak. "KODAK NEXPRESS Presses enable them to expand their capabilities and create higher-value applications for their clients, ultimately increasing their revenue opportunities in this growing market."

The KODAK NEXPRESS Digital Production Color Platform enables print providers to deliver unique applications, drive more print volume and higher margins, and grow their businesses. All NEXPRESS Presses are upgradeable, allowing customers to leverage existing investments.

For more information on Kodak at Print 09, visit http://www.kodak.com/go/print09.

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.