Rochester, N.Y. - Kodak is announcing the latest addition to its PROSPER Platform during Hunkeler Innovation Days 2011, taking place from February 14-17 in Lucerne, Switzerland. The event will also be the first major European showing of the KODAK VERSAMARK VL6200 Printing System, as well as the new KODAK NEXPRESS SX Digital Production Color Press.

The KODAK PROSPER S20 Imprinting System is the newest offering in the successful PROSPER S-Series. The new PROSPER S20 Imprinting System is designed to meet the needs of magazine, newspaper, and commercial insert printers and has speeds matching those of web offset presses. Powered by KODAK Stream Inkjet Technology, the PROSPER S20 Imprinting System boasts a 4.16-inch imprinting width with speeds up to 2,000 fpm (600 mpm) at 600x300 dpi. The solution also is available as an upgrade to the PROSPER S10 Imprinting System.

The PROSPER S20 Imprinting System, which features pigment-based inks that deliver excellent permanence, rich blacks, and outstanding scratch- and water-resistance on a wide variety of commercial substrates, integrates easily with existing offset presses or finishing lines and enables new revenue opportunities. If total permanence is not a priority, dye-based inks are an alternative option to reduce total cost of ownership. Available for immediate delivery, the PROSPER S20 Imprinting System can include up to 12 print stations and 24 printheads for maximum flexibility.

In its booth, Kodak will demonstrate the new KODAK NEXPRESS SX Digital Production Color Platform with Print Genius that offers improved quality and productivity, and has been designed to meet the needs of commercial printers, in-plant printers, and data centers. New features include speeds up to 131ppm, smaller ink particle size with the new KODAK NEXPRESS HD Dry Inks, denser black ink, new KODAK NEXPRESS Light Black HD Dry Ink, and a new matte printing effect option.
    
At 660mm, the long sheet option—which is showcased at the event—delivers 27 percent more printable area. The benefits of this longer sheet include reduced waste and increased productivity, and enable new applications such as six-page brochures, posters, larger dust jackets for books, and a variety of labels.

KODAK NEXPRESS Fifth Imaging Unit Solutions enable users to create a range of high-value products, helping them to expand their portfolio and increase revenue. Dimensional Printing, for example, lets users add a unique “raised” 3D effect to images. The Fifth Imaging Unit can also be used to produce spot colors, watermarking, protective coatings and secure printing with KODAK NEXPRESS MICR or Red Fluorescing Dry Ink.

Meanwhile, live demonstrations and samples will be produced on the KODAK VERSAMARK VL6200 Printing System. It is a high-quality, high-speed machine based on a flexible Drop on Demand (DOD) inkjet printing platform, and operates at up to 150ppm. The VL-Series is well equipped to handle complex variable data applications, such as transactional documents and direct mail. Furthermore, all VL-Series devices manufactured in 2011 incorporate hardware/firmware/software updates to the imaging system.

All VERSAMARK VL-Series Printing Systems also feature a choice of dye-based inks in addition to the existing pigment inks, an option that allows users to reduce costs and achieve an improved optical density.

Also on display will be Kodak’s Unified Workflow Solutions, which integrate and unify key business elements, such as production, colour and data. KODAK INSITE Storefront System and KODAK PRINERGY Digital Workflow will be both on show at the event. KODAK INSITE Storefront System helps users increase their geographic reach, enhance production efficiency, reduce cycle times and lower costs. KODAK PRINERGY Digital Workflow is designed specifically to manage, schedule and drive digital printers and digital presses with outstanding levels of workflow automation. For print service providers with more than one digital workflow system, the PRINERGY Digital Workflow provides an efficient strategy for controlling digital printers and presses with a single, integrated, JDF-based workflow.

Hunkeler Innovation Days is a biennial show that attracts an international audience. The event is particularly relevant for printers interested in transactional/transpromo printing, newspaper and book printing, and direct marketing applications.

“As ever, Hunkeler Innovation Days will prove its worth by showing delegates how the latest print innovations can have a huge impact on their businesses,” commented Mark Clark, Regional Business Manager & VP Digital Printing Solutions, EAMER, Kodak. “Attendees will be particularly impressed with the new NEXPRESS SX Press and VERSAMARK VL6200 Printing System. Many print service providers are still feeling the impact of the downturn, and will feel very positive about a system that enables them to create higher value products and increase revenue.”