Rochester, NY - KODAK COLORFLOW Software with Ink Optimizing Solution participated in the recent IPA + IDEAlliance Ink Optimization RoundUP, achieving the best overall ink savings in the test. Judged side by side with 10 other solutions, COLORFLOW Software with Ink Optimizing Solution significantly reduced ink consumption while boasting among the highest color accuracy and on-press stability of all solutions tested. The results of the RoundUP were presented at the IPA Technical Conference June 7-8 in Chicago.

In the Ink Optimization RoundUP, participating systems are put through a series of tests designed to assess their capabilities, as well as educate printers and print buyers on the use, benefits and pitfalls of ink optimization software.

"Ink Optimization technology is a great tool for both printers and print buyers to use for continued improvement in producing quality products, being as 'green as possible,' and keeping an eye on the bottom line," noted Joe Fazzi, Vice President Print Media at IDEAlliance. "IPA/IDEAlliance is committed to providing forums that bring these technologies to the forefront for the industry."

The KODAK Ink Optimizing Solution is an option for KODAK COLORFLOW Software that enables the creation of CMYK ICC DeviceLink profiles with a high level of GCR to achieve press stabilization and ink savings on press. The Ink Optimizing Solution applies sophisticated color-conversion intelligence to convert color formulations and reduce the amount of CMY ink without affecting the appearance of color images or the sharpness of text or line art.

"Kodak is pleased to be part of this important project with the IPA and IDEAlliance," said Jon Bracken, General Manager, Unified Workflow Solutions, Business Solutions and Services Group, Kodak. "We are committed to investing in innovative solutions and services that help printers be more efficient and grow their businesses, adding services and capturing revenue in areas they may not have thought possible a year ago."

At the core of Kodak's Ink Optimizing Solution is an ICC DeviceLink color profile that applies color conversion algorithms to CMYK processes. The Ink Optimizing Solution profile preserves pure primary and secondary colors for sharp, crisp reproduction of black text, vector graphics, and other pure color elements. The profile also limits Total Area Coverage for additional ink control.

"For commercial and digital printers, COLORFLOW Software with Ink Optimizing Solution contributes to reduced operational costs and increased efficiency," explained William Li, Color Technology Manager, Kodak. "Using less ink is good for the business and good for the environment. But we know that none of this matters if the visual results aren't good. We've worked hard to solve the challenges and let our customers sit back and enjoy the benefits."

To bypass reprocessing time, ink optimization can be applied at input or output for press change flexibility, even at late stages. In addition, the Ink Optimizing Solution can be utilized on images, graphics or both. The workflow also allows users to turn ink optimization of overprints and transparencies on or off. For the IPA + IDEAlliance Ink Optimization RoundUP, overprint handling was enabled, to better demonstrate the color accuracy of the KODAK Ink Optimization Solution.