ROCHESTER, N.Y., -- The Lettershop Group of Leeds, England is the first beta customer for Kodak’s Stream Printhead in the United Kingdom. This breakthrough Kodak technology enables The Lettershop Group to differentiate itself in the marketplace and create higher-value, customized communications for its customers.

Kodak’s Stream Printhead is a monochrome continuous inkjet solution for inline digital printing on high-speed web devices such as offset presses and inline finishing equipment. The technology enables commercial printers to bridge between offset and digital printing, extending business and revenue opportunities by adding value to printed pages.

Founded in 1886, The Lettershop Group is one of the most advanced integrated communications companies in Europe. Named Print Week’s Direct Mail Printer of the Year in 2008, the company provides integrated direct communications and marketing for its customers, primarily in the retail and consumer goods markets. The Lettershop Group has been a Kodak customer for more than a decade, and uses multiple KODAK VERSAMARK Printheads.

“We’re a business solutions provider. Our mission is to enable our customers to differentiate themselves,” said John Hornby, Chief Executive of The Lettershop Group. “Kodak’s Stream Printhead helps us do that by enabling the production of one-to-one communications that impact effectiveness, brand perception and the bottom line. We are delighted to be a beta customer for this groundbreaking technology.”

“Enabling high-speed variable data printing with offset class output, Kodak’s Stream Printhead helps print service providers stand apart from the competition by offering to their customers and prospects the opportunity to drive greater return on marketing investment through personalized communications,” said Kevin Joyce, Worldwide Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Digital Printing Solutions, Kodak. “The Stream Printhead is an ideal fit for The Lettershop Group and will enable them to open new business opportunities by eliminating the need for laser imprinting when high resolution personalized documents are required.”

Kodak’s Stream Printhead, which features flexible mounting options, integrates seamlessly with web offset presses and a variety of web finishing equipment to add variable data to offset printed materials at 1,000 fpm (305 mpm) with a resolution of 600 dpi. With this speed and resolution, the Stream Printhead allows users to print variable data inline, saving time and money over a traditional, two-step process that combines offset pre-printed forms and offline laser imprinting. With a print width of 10.56 cm (4.16 in.) and pigment-based inks that offer fade, scratch and water resistance, the Stream Printhead increases throughput and eliminates the need for additional standalone print devices.

“Adding the Stream Printhead further strengthens our working relationship with Kodak and underscores our ongoing commitment to bring our customers the very latest print production technology available on the global market,” added Hornby. “The use of KODAK Stream Inkjet Technology expands our unrivalled offering of innovative production formats and solutions.”

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.