Birmingham, UK - French print service provider, SAGIM, is set to become the first printer in Europe to install the new KODAK PROSPER 1000 Press. The Courtry-based company near Paris specializes in the creation of monochrome books with color cover overlays, and will use the KODAK Press to enhance its short-run printing capacity. SAGIM counts large French book publishers among its customer base, including Flammarion, Dunod, Grasset, PUF, Seuil, Gallimard and Odile Jacob, to name a few.

The KODAK PROSPER 1000 Press is a monochrome digital inkjet press that is based on KODAK Stream Inkjet Technology. The advanced machine delivers offset-class quality, and will help SAGIM create new short-run book printing opportunities at a low total cost of ownership. In addition, the speed and reliability of the PROSPER 1000 Press will help boost the company's productivity.

The PROSPER 1000 Press uses an advanced ink formulation associated with KODAK Stream Inkjet Technology. The formulation increases print quality and durability, and has the ability to print on glossy coated substrates. The PROSPER 1000 Press offers one-over-one perfecting, with a print width of up to 25.5 inches (64.8 cm) at speeds of up to 650 feet per minute (200 mpm). It has a duty cycle of 120 million A4 or US letter pages a month, and can support run lengths of up to 7,000 copies. The KODAK PROSPER Press Platform is up to 38% more productive than competitive inkjet systems.

Increasing profitability by meeting publishers' changing needs
SAGIM's transition to digital printing will widen its business scope and make the company more attractive to customers in the highly competitive book printing sector.

SAGIM currently operates two VARIQUIK monochrome web offset presses to produce the books, and two KOMORI and KBA sheetfed offset presses, in four (2 + 2) and five colors, to produce the book covers.

"We turned to digital printing because run lengths continued to shrink," explains SAGIM's General Manager Christian Devambez. "Today, book publishers want to keep their inventories down. They prefer to produce smaller initial print runs and reprint when necessary."

The impact of this shift means today's book printers must offer competitive pricing on short runs and be able to reprint on a short deadline. "Currently, our average run length is 3,000 copies," adds Devambez. "With the KODAK PROSPER 1000 Press, we will be able to consistently produce runs of 300 to 2,000 copies. Essentially the new KODAK Press will help us meet publishers' demands and remain competitive in the book printing market."

SAGIM decided to invest in the PROSPER 1000 Press at the end of 2009. After considering all existing digital printing technologies-from xerography to inkjet, from web to sheetfed-the company finally opted for web inkjet.

"We based our decision on print quality and productivity," explains Devambez. "We chose the PROSPER 1000 Press for its high throughput and its cutting-edge technology. Kodak's market presence and reputation also tipped the scales toward this PROSPER Solution."

SAGIM will also benefit from the fact that the print width of the PROSPER 1000 Press is consistent with the company's VARIQUIK offset presses. This will enable SAGIM to manage the same paper stock for both its offset and digital printing workflows-a significant advantage that made the PROSPER 1000 Press even more attractive. SAGIM will use the PROSPER 1000 Press with an in-line HUNKELER finishing solution to automate folding and cutting. Book binding will be managed offline in the first instance. The PROSPER 1000 Press is set to be installed at the end of August.

"We expect to gradually increase our production volume and reach our peak level at the end of this year," concludes Devambez.