Rochester, NY -- A new alliance between Kodak and Xeikon enables label printers to extend their web-based businesses with branded online ordering of tags, labels, and other print products. It also simplifies and streamlines production, from order origination on the web, via KODAK Web to Print Solutions, to final output on the XEIKON 3300 Digital Color Label Press. The agreement is effective in the United States and Canada.

"The adoption of digital printing within the packaging market is growing, and Kodak is excited to work with Xeikon to bring web-to-print solutions to the tag and label market. Kodak's e-commerce solutions-as well as our web-based tools for content creation, collaboration and approval-connect seamlessly into the production workflow and through to the digital label press," said Steve Miller, Product Manager, Packaging Workflow, Kodak. "Integrating Kodak's web-based systems with the XEIKON Press will give label printers the ability to provide new services to existing customers while also attracting new business opportunities."

Through the agreement, Kodak and Xeikon, a division of Punch Graphix-known in the industry for pioneering the first digital color presses-bring complete web-to-print solutions to the packaging and label market by offering KODAK Web to Print Solutions and the KODAK INSITE Prepress Portal Product family as part of a complementary solution to the XEIKON 3300 narrow-format digital label press.

"We're always looking for ways to maximize both value and efficiency for our customer base and this latest agreement with Kodak aligns perfectly with this mission," said Michael V. Ring, Vice President of Sales & Chief Marketing Officer of Xeikon's North American operations. "Working with Kodak will allow us to offer our customers complete solutions for their packaging and label needs and, in turn, increase their own value within their respective markets."

KODAK Web to Print Solutionsenhance and expand on traditional web-to-print offerings, allowing print service providers to more efficiently implement a web-to-print program with superior levels of workflow integration. The KODAK INSITE Storefront System offers everything label printers need to support online ordering, including a brandable, easy-to-implement, customer-friendly web storefront for secure online ordering and reordering of print products. The storefront functions can be completely integrated into the prepress workflow to create an automated production process from order to output in digital, offset or flexo printing environments.

Streamlined production also is aided by the KODAK Smart Review System, which can be used with a variety of graphic arts file formats and brings together a powerful set of professional proofing and collaboration tools, including an easy-to-use navigation window, densitometer and measurement tools; on-the-fly panning and zooming; image rotation; and approval. The advanced spot color capabilities of the Smart Review System, enabled through KODAK MATCHPRINT Virtual Technology, help ensure superior color accuracy throughout all aspects of the digital label production process, making it easier for images to be proofed and displayed with accurate color on qualified monitors.

The XEIKON 3300 Press delivers seamless high-quality label printing, offering true 1,200 dpi at four bits per spot. With a top speed of 63 feet per minute and a monthly duty cycle of 2.3 million feet, the XEIKON 3300 is an extremely fast digital color label press, particularly suited for short to medium print runs and just-in-time jobs. The fifth color station of the XEIKON 3300 Press can be used for spot colors, as well as "one-hit" opaque white and special security toner. Operating on the XEIKON Form Adapted (FA) toner technology, the XEIKON 3300 combines the benefits of chemically produced toner with the performance of traditionally produced toner. In addition, the FA toner is FDA-approved for use in certain food contact applications.

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.