CHICAGO, Oct. 26-Visitors to Kodak's booth #600 at Graph Expo will see the latest workflow, prepress, and digital printing solutions that help providers grow their businesses and increase profit potential. Kodak's Graphic Communications Group (GCG) offers one of the broadest, most integrated portfolios of products for print and marketing service professionals.

"Graph Expo provides an excellent opportunity to get a firsthand look at the innovative new products and technologies that make up Kodak's powerful line of integrated solutions," noted David Wigfield, Managing Director, Kodak's GCG. "Several new products will be seen for the first time in Chicago, and print providers will be able to shop and compare to find the best solutions to enhance their businesses. Kodak is committed to delivering value to customers through products that offer power and versatility for diverse applications."

Digital printing applications

Digital printing professionals will see a variety of electrophotographic and inkjet solutions on display at the Kodak booth. Whether used to enhance an existing offset operation or establish a dedicated digital operation, Kodak's digital printing solutions allow users to maximize their investment and offer customers powerful options for boosting the effectiveness and response rates of multifaceted print campaigns. The newest digital printing features add exciting possibilities, such as unique printing effects, finishing and personalization.

The KODAK NEXPRESS S2500 Digital Production Color Press with Dimensional Printing features a new and unique capability that allows users to create prints with a raised or tactile effect. The in-line KODAK NEXPRESS Intelligent Dimensional Coating Solution produces images with a dimensional or 3D surface that mimics the feel of the items in a photograph. Users can actually see and feel the difference. With KODAK NEXPRESS Dimensional Clear Dry Ink, the effect can be applied to the entire page or to spot locations only, and the user can control the height to achieve the desired effect. Applications such as direct mail, business cards, invitations, photobooks, calendars, greeting cards, collateral, certificates, and more will have greater visual appeal to drive higher response rates and higher value.

To drive NEXPRESS Digital Production Color Presses, the new KODAK NEXPRESS Vcs Front End joins the existing NEXPRESS V-series Front Ends, and adds new capability and compatibility with CREO front end digital workflows currently in place in many data intensive printing environments. The system includes the unique functionality of the operator support system, which is consistent with the KODAK NEXPRESS V and Vp Front Ends, but is designed for data centric providers such as direct mail houses and TransPromo printers, supporting VPS, PDF, Postscript, CT/LW, PPML/GA, PPML/VDX and other formats.

The KODAK DIGIMASTER EX300 Digital Production System, the fastest cut sheet black and white electrophotographic printer on the market printing at a rate of 300 A4 images per minute, will be shown for the first time at Graph Expo. It offers the WATKISS PowerSquare 200 Booklet Maker, a new finishing option that can produce a book from eight to 200 pages in-line and offers customers a cost effective alternative to perfect and tape binding. The DIGIMASTER EX300 is targeted at operations dedicated to publishing, transactional, corporate/government, and direct mail applications where productivity, image quality and turnaround time are critical.

To leverage their investment, owners of DIGIMASTER EX or E Series Systems can upgrade to the 300 ipm speed with an on site upgrade module when their page volume reaches appropriate levels. Customers will enjoy savings by consolidating other printers while realizing lower labor costs from the most productive monochrome printer in the marketplace.

New input and output accessories for the KODAK NEXPRESS M700 Digital Color Press include Finisher, Booklet Finisher, Booklet Trimmer, Hole Puncher, Cover Inserter, Secondary Feeder Module, and High-Capacity Delivery (stacker). The NEXPRESS M700 Press also has a new software release that includes enhanced color management. The new in-line accessories enable the print provider to efficiently produce finished documents based on the application and the type of finishing required by their print client. This reduces off-line labor and costs, improves turnaround time, and drives customer satisfaction.

The KODAK VERSAMARK VL2000 Printing System, which utilizes DOD print technology for commercial, transaction and publishing applications from a "white paper in" configuration, will be shown to the public for the first time in North America at Graph Expo. Designed for the growing color roll fed market, the system prints up to 1,072 two-up duplex letter size images per minute in full color.

Driving the KODAK VERSAMARK VL2000 Printing System is the new KODAK VERSAMARK 700 Print Manager, which includes an advanced digital front end and press controller. The VERSAMARK 700 Print Manager accepts and processes a variety of data streams including PDF, PostScript, PPML-GA, PPML-VDX, VPS, and AFP/IPDS. The VERSAMARK 700 Print Manager leverages Kodak's Unified Workflow Solutions to simplify job submission and reporting, color management, and workflow connectivity. This versatile solution also is designed to drive future KODAK Stream Inkjet Technology products.

KODAK Stream Inkjet Technology is a continuous inkjet system that provides the benefits of variable data, short run, personalization or versioning on jobs traditionally produced using offset presses. The Stream Concept Printhead from Kodak will be displayed on a transport system, demonstrating the speed and integration capabilities of the technology. Capable of delivering monochrome offset class VDP applications at up to 1,000 fpm to commercial offset printers, the product is designed to produce a deep, rich black at 600 dpi on glossy substrates, and is easy to operate and service.

Video demonstrations of the upcoming Stream Concept Press will be available by appointment in the Kodak booth throughout the show. With resolution that exceeds 600 dpi at fast production speeds, the Stream Concept Press incorporates Kodak's 10 years of roll fed color inkjet experience coupled with technical expertise in print technology development, workflow, color management, and ink and media interaction.

Solutions for prepress and packaging

For prepress professionals, Kodak provides a host of integrated imaging and workflow solutions that increase productivity and deliver high quality files and plates to the press. By closely controlling the files from creation to output, Kodak helps users ensure results that will meet the needs of clients and open new revenue opportunities.

Capable of imaging up to 60 eight page plates per hour at high quality, the KODAK MAGNUS 800Z QUANTUM Platesetter uses a new, advanced thermal head that generates double the laser power of its MAGNUS Platesetter predecessors. The device will be shown with the automatic pallet loader (APL), which increases automation and manufacturing efficiency by loading up to 600 plates without manual handling.

The new KODAK ELECTRA XD Digital Plate, which will be shown for the first time in the United States at Graph Expo, is designed for the mid to large commercial print segment where a highly productive, robust and stable high quality plate is demanded. The ELECTRA XD Plate performs exceptionally well in prepress and in the pressroom, where it is rated for the highest FM screening (10 micron) resolution and print performance up to 500,000 impressions without baking.

Shown for the first time at Graph Expo is the KODAK THERMAL PLATINUM Digital Plate, which provides improvements to Kodak's award winning family of thermal digital plates. This exciting new plate technology will be available only in the United States and Canada, and offers improvements to image quality and consistency while gaining production efficiencies through improved imaging latitude, faster processing speeds, longer chemical cycles and improved durability, which reduces the need for post baking in many applications.

Package printers will find that the KODAK FLEXCEL NX Digital Flexographic System represents a new way of making flexo printing plates for higher levels of print quality, productivity, and stability. It is an integrated member of Kodak's prepress family, and offers offset class, gravure quality on a wide variety of substrates, including paper, flexible film, foil, label stock and folding cartons.

Software enhancements

Today's print service provider typically oversees a blended production environment that includes both digital and offset printing. The KODAK PRINERGY Workflow System Version 5.0 is designed to maximize these kinds of environments and boasts a number of new features, including digital print workflow tools, a device based color management platform, next generation screening technologies, a PDF editing solution for ADOBE Illustrator, enhanced automation and job planning capabilities for packaging workflows, and extended JDF support.

KODAK Web to Print Solutions, including KODAK INSITE Storefront System and KODAK INSITE Variable Data Print System, offer improvements in reporting capabilities as well as more sophisticated shipping methods, easier catalog creation, and a more refined Web interface. KODAK INSITE Campaign Manager, which will be introduced in North America for the first time, is scheduled to launch in spring 2009. A software solution for the creation, execution and tracking of relevant, effective marketing campaigns, it applies variable data technologies to create personalized campaigns via direct mail, permission email, SMS text messaging, and web technologies to deliver targeted offers that match the needs of specific customer segments.

Color is a critical component of successful print jobs, and, KODAK COLORFLOW Software aligns color across devices, enabling integrated color control with the KODAK PRINERGY Workflow System. COLORFLOW Software delivers Color Relationship Management that unifies all the color elements, such as ICC profiles, curves and spot color recipes, managing the relationship between them and the device print conditions.

As print service providers make the transition to marketing service providers, KODAK INSITE Campaign Manager provides analysis and management of customer data to create even more relevant and profitable targeted communications. INSITE Campaign Manager handles inbound and outbound channels to offer a comprehensive communication solution including Personalized URL (PURL) support, variable email, personalized landing pages and VDP.

Debuting at Graph Expo is KODAK DARWIN VDP Software Version 3.0, which includes compatibility with all major Web to Print solutions and allows users to create cross media campaigns, with personalized HTML emails from ADOBE DREAMWEAVER and Personalized URLs with KODAK DARWIN Software. The software features cross platform support, an intuitive user interface, and full integration with CREO Color Servers, leveraging JDF and JMF connectivity to create an easy to use and reliable workflow.

 "Service providers are increasingly aware of the need to extend their capabilities and forge collaborative relationships with their clients," said Kevin Joyce, Chief Marketing Officer, Kodak's GCG. "By helping with everything from strategy to execution, service providers can leverage their skills to deliver the best results for any given project. The Kodak portfolio gives providers the tools they need to move to that next level."

To demonstrate the power of JDF in a production environment, Kodak is participating in the JDF Works Print Shop Live! feature presentation area of Graph Expo, running a KODAK NEXPRESS M700 Digital Color Press and new KODAK PRINERGY 5.0 Digital Workflow System integrated with a variety of equipment from other vendors. The project is sponsored by the CIP4 Organization and represents a live production environment that will feature tours explaining the steps involved in each job, from production through finishing.

Debuting at Graph Expo is a new Twitter feed from Kodak, "I Dig Print," designed to share information and create dialogue with customers, media, marketers, trade association professionals, students and anyone else interested in print. Visit Twitter.com/KodakIDigPrint and register as a member to begin participating in the community and view daily postings on a variety of topics.

Following last year's successful collaboration, Kodak is again working with the International Graphic Arts Education Association to produce a color poster promoting careers in the graphic arts and printing industry. The poster will be printed on a KODAK NEXPRESS Digital Production Color Press in Kodak's booth at Graph Expo and distributed to visitors.

Kodak will show its products and integrated solutions for graphic communications professionals in booth #600 at Graph Expo. To receive regular updates from Kodak's Graphic Communications Group, go to Twitter.com/KodakIDigPrint and register for the company's new Twitter feed. For more information on Kodak's Graphic Communications Group at Graph Expo, please visit www.kodak.com/go/graphexpo.

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.