ColorDynamics, a Dallas-based commercial printer, has purchased a KODAK PROSPER S10 Imprinting System to significantly improve turnaround time on direct mail jobs. Currently, the commercial printer addresses mail offline, a process that adds precious time, sometimes more than a week, to the direct mail process.

ColorDynamics has plans to use the system to significantly decrease the turnaround time required to apply addresses for a national retailer’s western U.S. direct mail program. Soon, the mailers will be able to be printed, finished and addressed in one step.

The new PROSPER Imprinting System will be integrated into ColorDynamics’ workflow so that it can be positioned and mounted on either its HARRIS M1000 eight-color full commercial web press or a HARRIS M300 six-color commercial web press. ColorDynamics will be the only commercial printer in the southwest United States with imprinting capability on a full commercial web press.

“A growing number of our clients are looking to print and mail materials locally to eliminate travel for press approvals and reduce the time from concept to doorstep,” said Chuck Chalifoux, president, ColorDynamics. “The new PROSPER Imprinting System will help us take multiple steps out of the process and, ultimately, deliver faster, more effective communications.”

In addition to addressing materials, ColorDynamics will also use the PROSPER Imprinting System to add bar codes, QR codes and personalized messages.

“It is essential that organizations maximize their customer data and deliver the most impactful and relevant communications possible,” continued Chalifoux. “Hybrid printing is an excellent solution—marrying the best qualities of both offset and digital printing.”

Inkjet printing inline with offset printing delivers a number of significant benefits, including faster job turnaround time, lower costs and higher productivity for high-volume imprinting applications when compared to sheetfed laser printing. The typical production process may involve printing direct mail shells on an offset press, letting the shells dry, and imprinting them on a laser printer. Hybrid printing eliminates drying time and enables imprinting on the sheets as they pass through the offset press, saving up to two days in production time.

The PROSPER S-Series Imprinting Systems include the S5, S10, S20, and S30, available in black or CMYK configurations.

“The PROSPER S-Series Imprinting System produces laser-like quality for imprinting at a range of speeds and resolutions, bringing high-quality personalization to offset print jobs,” said Bill Schweinfurth, Kodak’s Product and Category Business Manager, Imprinting Systems. “Using the PROSPER S-Series, print providers like ColorDynamics are able to leverage their capital investments in offset presses and bridge the gap to digital in a one-step, inline process.”

ColorDynamics uses a range of Kodak commercial printing technology. KODAK PRINERGY Workflow prepares and drives all offset and most digital jobs in ColorDynamics’ operation. The commercial printer uses KODAK THERMAL DIRECT Non Process Plates, imaged on a KODAK MAGNUS 800 Platesetter and a KODAK TRENDSETTER 800 Platesetter, for their offset printing.