To improve prepress efficiency, the Albany Heraldselected KODAK PF-N Non Process Plates for its location in Albany, Ga., where, under the umbrella of Gray Publishing, it prints a daily newspaper. The publisher chose the KODAK PF-N Non Process Plates for their exceptional imaging quality, productivity enhancements, potential cost savings and added environmental attributes. With the installation, the Albany Herald became Kodak’s 100^th PF-N Non Process Plate customer.

According to Todd Bigger, Global Current Marketing Director of Offset Solutions at Kodak, the customer base for PF-N Plates has grown tremendously as more newspapers, like the Albany Herald, opt for prepress solutions that not only improve productivity and image quality, but also their environmental footprint. “With the use of process-free technology, companies are able to reach higher levels of both sustainability and efficiency. With this latest installation milestone, it is clear that the movement towards process-free technology is truly gaining momentum in the newspaper publishing industry,” said Bigger.

KODAK PF-N Non Process Plates can reduce costs by completely eliminating the need for processors, related maintenance, and processing chemistry expenses. PF-N Plates use a write-the-image, non-ablative technology, where final print preparation occurs on press as part of the standard makeready process without any press contamination. By removing the traditional processing step, KODAK PF-N Plates shorten the platemaking cycle and eliminate the need for any special handling of processing chemicals. This simplified platemaking process enables PF-N Plates to deliver more jobs per shift with faster turnaround times, and can ultimately save companies both time and money.

“We made the decision to go with KODAK PF-N Non Process Plates based on what we wanted and what we expected from the plates. I liked that it was a thermal system and really, what I liked best was the fact that they didn’t need any chemicals at all,” said Lynn Ridder, Operations Director at the Albany Herald. “We are pretty cost efficient now. We no longer have to use film or chemicals, and those savings have outweighed any additional expenses we incurred from choosing thermal plates. Even better, the image quality is really improved.”

Replacing a conventional plate system, the Albany Herald installed the PF-N Plates in 2011, and the company has been more than satisfied with its decision. “The plates are everything we thought they would be. The quality is excellent and the longevity of the plates is also really good. They are exceeding our expectations,” said Ridder. “When you make the transition over to new equipment, you expect to encounter problems, but we haven’t had any. We are very happy with the equipment we have so far from Kodak, and who knows what KODAK Equipment we’ll decide to invest in next. We are always looking towards the future.”

At the Albany Herald, the PF-N Plates are used on the KODAK TRENDSETTER NEWS Platesetter, which is known for its stability and outstanding image quality. The TRENDSETTER NEWS Platesetter allows the Albany Herald to generate high-quality prints with reliability job after job. The Albany Herald also relies on KODAK PRINERGY Workflow System and KODAK PREPS Imposition Software for enhanced workflow productivity and improved automation.

“Seeing our customers succeed using KODAK Products is exactly what we strive for, and the Albany Herald is a great example of a customer embracing cutting-edge plate technology to improve quality, enhance the bottom line, and become more sustainable. We believe the customer base for PF-N Non Process Plates will only continue to grow over the coming year and look forward to working with the next hundred customers,” said Bigger.

For more background on Kodak’s ongoing commitment to process-free technology, see this video from Doug Edwards, General Manager of Kodak’s Prepress Solutions.   

Kodak is a global advisor and provider of integrated services to help companies transform and optimize their businesses. Through a network of service professionals in more than 120 countries, Kodak provides technical, professional, consulting and managed services to enable customers to focus on growing their businesses, maximizing productivity, and more effectively managing risks. All KODAK Products and Software are backed by KODAK Service and Support. To learn more, please visitwww.graphics.kodak.com.