DÜSSELDORF, GERMANY, May 29-Adding to an already powerful portfolio of digital color and black and white electrophotographic printing solutions, Kodak creates new ways for customers to succeed in a highly competitive market. The new enhancements unleash the power of Kodak scaleability to help customers grow their businesses with minimal disruption and investment.

Kodak launches the KODAK NEXPRESS S3600 Digital Production Color Press, the fastest in its S-Series, with dramatically increased productivity. "At 120 pages per minute (A4), Kodak remains the leader in delivering solutions that take productivity to a new level," said Steve Fletcher, General Manager, Electrophotographic Printing Solutions, Vice President, Kodak's Graphic Communications Group.

In black and white printing, Kodak previews the KODAK DIGIMASTER EX300 Digital Production System. "At 300 images per minute (A4), Kodak leads the cut sheet black and white category with the fastest printer on the market today," Fletcher said.

"Digital printing is exploding. When customers need more productivity, they aspire for something simpler or more cost effective than a forklift upgrade. They want to leverage their investment," said Fletcher. "Most Kodak customers with NEXPRESS Presses and DIGIMASTER Systems can achieve these new speeds with an upgrade module installed on their existing unit by Kodak."

New Digital Production Color Press

The new KODAK NEXPRESS S3600 Digital Production Color Press offers 7,200 sheets/hour (A4) allowing print providers to achieve a higher level of productivity to produce more jobs per hour. Bringing a new level of modularity to the digital production color market, the S3600, as well as the presses in the S-Series, offers flexible front end options, input and output accessories, unique imaging application capabilities and onsite upgradeability. These offerings enable print providers to increase their top line and deliver new applications that yield higher margins to increase their bottom line.

Modular features of the NEXPRESS S-Class Presses include input feeder options with up to 11,000 sheet capacity, collation capability of up to five different media, and both cut sheet and roll fed paper on the same press. Output options support multiple high capacity deliveries, as well as an inline or near line booklet makers. Along with the KODAK NEXPRESS Fifth Imaging Unit Solution, a near line KODAK NEXPRESS Glossing Unit can add a high gloss finish for surface protection and varnished look.

As part of Kodak's commitment to enabling print providers to leverage their press investment and achieve a higher return on investment, NEXPRESS S-Series Presses can be upgraded onsite to increase output speed, add color imaging units and input/output options

Faster Digital Black and White System Previewed

Attendees at drupa can visit the "futures area" on the show floor and find a preview of the new KODAK DIGIMASTER EX300 Digital Production System, a unique addition to the highly successful DIGIMASTER family. With exceptional dependability, the EX300 will be the fastest cut sheet black and white electrophotographic printer in the market, printing at a rate of 18,000 images per hour (A4). Kodak will also make available a speed upgrade module that will enable current owners of the DIGIMASTER EX or E-Series printers to upgrade their system to 300 ppm. The EX300 is targeted to operations dedicated to publishing, transactional, corporate/government print shops, and direct mail applications where productivity and turnaround time are critical. It will be available in mid-2009.

The DIGIMASTER Series, including the EX300, also features expanded finishing capability with the choice of the Watkiss SpineMaster and PowerSquare 200 Booklet Maker. These devices produce professional looking booklets ranging in size from 88 pages to 200 pages and enable print providers to produce booklets with square backs and print the document's title or other information on the spine. The Watkiss PowerSquare 200 BookletMaker will be featured on the DIGIMASTER Systems located in the Watkiss and Ricoh booths. The SpineMaster is available now, and the PowerSquare 200 will be available in late 2008.

The DIGIMASTER EX300 System will also connect to the KODAK PRINERGY Workflow System by utilizing enhancements in KODAK SMARTBOARD Document Mastering Software, where full job ticketing and bidirectional job and print engine status are supported.

Drive New Color Applications with New Inks

Printed materials from NEXPRESS Presses already have market leading image quality that visually stands out from others. With the introduction of the new KODAK NEXPRESS Intelligent Dimensional Coating Solution and the KODAK NEXPRESS Dimensional Clear Dry Ink, now they stand out even further with look and feel. Intelligent Dimensional Coating and Dimensional Clear Dry Ink combine to create a raised printing effect that enables tactile effects so that images can have a dimensional feel that mimics the surface of the items in the image. For example, customers can print an image of an orange that feels like an orange or wood grain that feels like wood grain. For added versatility, users can identify specific areas of the image that are to be raised and specify variable heights.

In conjunction with the KODAK NEXPRESS Fifth Imaging Unit, this unique ink can be used on any of the wide range of substrates that the NEXPRESS Presses support, and create raised text or graphics on business cards, greeting cards, invitations, educational degrees, or direct mail and collateral.

Using this distinctive capability, the KODAK NEXPRESS Intelligent Dimensional Coating Solution helps print providers create a competitive advantage by offering a unique capability that extends digital color printing into new application areas, which enables them to differentiate themselves and take advantage of the opportunity to sell higher value print.

New Substrates Open More Markets

Kodak adds even more flexibility to the NEXPRESS Platform with the expansion of additional unconventional substrates to the qualified list for the KODAK NEXPRESS S3600, S3000, S2500, S2100, 2500 and 2100 Plus Digital Production Color Presses. These unique substrates include synthetics, magnetic stock, carbonless and pre converted substrates such as ID cards and presentation folders. With one of the most versatile ranges of substrates in the industry, these enable print providers to continually adapt to the demands of their clients for more attention grabbing communications pieces that distinguish their products or services.

New Services and Tools to Help Grow Your Business

    Kodak customers participating in the KODAK MARKETMOVER Business Development Services now have more opportunities to maximize their profit potential and grow their business. The new KODAK MARKETMOVER Resource Center, being demonstrated at drupa, features enhanced navigation capabilities in five languages, new tools to help users identify materials of most value to them, and an updated easy to use user interface that allows customers to interact with content.

    Kodak has also expanded the KODAK MARKETMOVER Consulting and Training Services in Western Europe. MARKETMOVER Service Professionals work directly with print providers to develop marketing plans, train senior management and sales representatives on new business opportunities, and support marketing and sales programs. Consulting and training services are now available in the United Kingdom, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, France, Italy, Iberia, and the International Cluster.

KODAK Products are backed by KODAK Service and Support. KODAK Service and Support is made up of more than 3,000 professionals reaching more than 120 countries. It is a leading multi-vendor integrated services provider, delivering consulting, installation, maintenance and support services for the commercial printing, graphic communications, document imaging and data storage industries. KODAK Service and Support professionals are uniquely qualified to provide services that control costs, maximize productivity, and minimize business risk.