CHICAGO -- Commercial printers attending PRINT 09 will learn about a number of new prepress solutions from Kodak designed to further automate the platemaking process and enable high-quality color proofing for a range of print materials, from marketing collateral and ads to direct mail and publications. Automation provides a key opportunity for commercial printers to reduce their own costs by improving efficiency, thereby enhancing their bottom line.

Like the existing KODAK Automatic Pallet Loader (APL) for the KODAK MAGNUS VLF Platesetter, the new APL for the KODAK MAGNUS 800 Platesetter enables operators to load an entire pallet of plates into the unit at one time-up to 600 plates. By eliminating the need to manually handle and load the plates, the APL reduces operational costs and material waste. The APL, combined with the KODAK MAGNUS 800Z QUANTUM Platesetter, offers throughput of 60 plates per hour and is the fastest and most advanced automated 8-up platesetter on the market. A world leader in plates and workflow, Kodak provides a fully integrated solution for commercial printers. With KODAK Plates and KODAK PRINERGY Workflow System, printers can further optimize productivity.

"Any time a printer can eliminate extra steps through automation, quality will go up and costs will come down," noted Doug Edwards, General Manager, Prepress Solutions and Vice President, Kodak. "For most commercial printers, their offset press is their biggest investment, so keeping it fed with high-quality, consistent plates is a must. With the APL, they can even run hundreds of plates overnight and be ready to start printing right away the next morning. This drives greater efficiency and ultimately helps them be more profitable."

The new KODAK Intelligent Prepress Manager (IPM) is designed to help commercial printers improve efficiency on their plate lines by providing automatic status updates and reports on plate line operations. With the IPM, operators do not need to manually check plate line equipment to see if it requires attention because automatic alerts are sent with real-time status updates. In addition, the IPM can help remote service teams diagnose problems more quickly, which increases uptime.

Attendees at PRINT 09 will get a firsthand look at new KODAK Proofing Software 4.0, a complete set of software tools for high-quality color proofing, either to international industry color standards or proprietary color conditions. This latest version of KODAK Proofing Software offers enhanced capabilities for producing a wider gamut of color. It also features intuitive tools to ensure that accurate color is maintained to a baseline standard, as well as from device to device and proof to proof.

KODAK Proofing Software 4.0 works with both the KODAK APPROVAL Digital Color Imaging System and the KODAK MATCHPRINT Inkjet Proofing System. KODAK Proofing Software maintains file and color integrity throughout the workflow.

"Kodak continues to be a market leader in prepress solutions," added Edwards. "These latest offerings reinforce our commitment to meeting the needs of our commercial print customers, now and in the future."

For more information about Kodak at PRINT 09, visit www.kodak.com/go/print09.

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.