ROCHESTER, N.Y., May 27-Kodak unveils the next level of digital plate for high performance printing with the new KODAK ELECTRA XD Thermal Plate, exhibiting impressive prepress and on press stability for excellent resolution, run length, and color control throughout the full press run. With typically triple the unbaked run length of the ELECTRA HR Plates, the highly durable ELECTRA XD Plate also helps printers reduce overall plate consumption and energy usage while maintaining consistency, stability, and print quality.  

      Launching at drupa 2008, the ELECTRA XD Thermal Plate is a non ablative, no preheat, positive working digital plate. With consistent dot to dot reproduction, the ELECTRA XD Plate provides excellent prepress latitude, helping users reduce manual intervention and cut makeready time. The ELECTRA XD Plate's outstanding dot stability helps ensure more consistent and stable production on press from start to finish. Capable of printing 10 micron FM screening, the ELECTRA XD Plate's resolution is 1% to 99% at 250 lpi.

      "The ELECTRA XD Plate enables further hands off automation in parts of the printing process that once required manual intervention and labor intensive monitoring and adjustments," said Rich Rindo, Director Global Product Management, Printing Plates Business, Kodak's Graphic Communications Group. "It actually 'industrializes' FM screening and fine AM line screens, allowing the work to be repeated day in and day out with consistent, stable quality. That becomes a real competitive advantage for users."

      The ELECTRA XD Plate is rated for 500,000 impressions without baking and 1.5 million baked, and is ideal for medium to long run sheetfed and heatset/coldset web offset operations. Because of its run length, users of the ELECTRA XD Plate may be able to reduce plate usage and decrease energy costs.

ELECTRA XD Plates have been in rigorous beta site testing in both the EAMER and US&C regions with positive results. The ELECTRA XD Plate is currently manufactured in Europe and manufacturing is scaling up in the United States and Asia.

The ELECTRA XD Plate extends Kodak's leadership in thermal plates. Plate innovations include: the first thermal CTP plate at drupa 1995; the KODAK ELECTRA Plate, the first no preheat thermal plate and world's best selling thermal plate to date; the KODAK SWORD Thermal Printing Plate, the first no preheat and highly robust thermal plate; the KODAK THERMALNEWS Digital Plate, the first high speed thermal newspaper plate; and the KODAK THERMAL DIRECT Non Process Plate, a truly non process plate. Beyond thermal plates, Kodak's broad portfolio of digital plates offers options for violet laser systems for commercial printing and newspaper publishing.

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.