Luncerne -- The family of KODAK NEXPRESS Digital Production Color Presses features a unique capability that users have been embracing since its announcement to produce attention getting, compelling print results in today’s highly competitive environment. As an added benefit to the outstanding performance and offset class output delivered by NEXPRESS Production Color Presses, KODAK NEXPRESS Intelligent Dimensional Coating Solution and KODAK NEXPRESS Dimensional Clear Dry Ink combine to create raised printing that enables tactile effects.

Available as part of the KODAK NEXPRESS Fifth Imaging Unit Solutions, Dimensional Printing gives specified text and images a raised or 3D effect that can help communications stand out in a crowded marketplace. The result is a printed piece where images can have a dimensional feel that mimics the surface of the items in the image. For example, an image of an orange takes on the actual feel of a real orange.

“Customers are always looking for something unique that will help them differentiate themselves from their competitors, and in the world of digital printing, this is more important than ever,” said Kevin Joyce, VP of Sales and Marketing, Digital Printing Solutions, Kodak’s Graphic Communications Group. “We have seen some exciting projects and innovative applications already. The possibilities are almost limitless with this technology, and will change the way consumers view traditional print.”

Dimensional Printing starts when the user loads KODAK NEXPRESS Dimensional Clear Dry Ink into the Fifth Imaging Unit of a NEXPRESS Digital Production Color Press.  NEXPRESS Dimensional Clear Dry Ink creates a clear “raised” layer on top of a page element and can be used to enhance graphics, text, or a full color image. Dimensional Printing takes place inline, maintaining press productivity while creating high-impact results.

The overall tactile effect is similar to relief printing, but with a greater degree of control—Dimensional Printing can be set to produce variable heights, so a user can more closely mimic the texture of a specific image. And in contrast to thermography, which can only be applied to ink, NEXPRESS Dimensional Clear Dry Ink does not require ink or an image to adhere to the substrate.

“The real value for customers is the ability of Dimensional Printing to capture a reader’s attention and improve the overall viewing or response rate,” added Joyce. “After all, the ultimate goal of any printed piece is to make an impression on the audience that will cause a response, and Dimensional Printing provides a distinct advantage.”

Dimensional Clear Dry Ink works with the wide range of substrates that NEXPRESS Digital Production Color Presses support to further expand the applications that can be digitally produced. Raised text or graphics can be placed on materials such as photobooks, calendars, greeting cards, invitations, collateral, business cards, certificates or direct mail. Like all KODAK NEXPRESS Fifth Imaging Unit Solutions, Dimensional Printing creates prints that are recyclable. Dimensional Printing does not require any special de-inking and uses no volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Dimensional Printing is now available for shipment worldwide.

In addition to Dimensional Printing, the KODAK NEXPRESS Fifth Imaging Unit Solution delivers spot color, watermarking, MICR secure printing, and protective coating, and relies on press profiling and standard inks to match up to 82 percent of the PANTONE® spot color gamut with no custom mixing required.

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.