The SpencerLab Digital Color Laboratory is excited to announce the release of a white paper summarizing the results of a new comparative study on Digital Press Photographic Image Print Quality. The white paper is available by free download from the SpencerLab web site, http://www.spencerlab.com/.

Since the introduction of digital presses nearly two decades ago, SpencerLab has witnessed their continuing improvement in photographic image print quality. As digital presses matured, precise testing methodology became increasingly more critical, along with increased importance of the strict guidelines in the integrity of both methodology and reporting that SpencerLab follows. In this latest study, commissioned by Eastman Kodak Company [NYSE:EK], various configurations on the KODAK NEXPRESS SX3300 Press, the HP INDIGO 7500 Digital Press, the XEROX iGen4 Press, and the XEROX Color 1000 Press were evaluated.

To incorporate the variety of press options available during the print quality study, SpencerLab analyzed output from the respective presses in CMYK [with Standard Finish], CMYK with Matte Finish, and CMYK with Clear Dry Ink.

In order to minimize non-representative output from each of the tested presses, all of the printing devices were tested at in-house sites and each press run was conducted by well-trained technicians. Each manufacturer selected appropriate print settings intended to produce best photographic image quality on each press. All print runs were supervised on-site by SpencerLab personnel.

''Print Quality is paramount in the value a press provides, but the versatility of the press also adds to this value,'' said Catherine Fiasconaro, Vice President of Operations and Director of Spencerlab. ''Evaluating multiple configurations and press options offers a broader perspective of what a press can provide.''

Output from all presses were evaluated on seven different image quality attributes with a weighted overall average. Attributes and weighting incorporated knowledge of preferences gained from numerous focus group events SpencerLab has performed with consumers, photo enthusiasts, and professional photographers. The KODAK NEXPRESS SX3300 Digital Production Color Press achieved a highest overall rating in photographic print quality output and demonstrated the best performance across the majority of attributes evaluated among the multiple high-quality digital press configurations tested.