Clays has announced the installation of a KODAK PROSPER 1000 Press as part of its integrated book production line, which includes a MULLER MARTINI SIGMALINE In-Line Finishing System. The integrated book line with the PROSPER 1000 Press is up and running after a smooth installation period. Clays is the first choice supplier of leading UK publishing houses, including the Hachette Group, Pearson and Harper Collins.

"The KODAK PROSPER 1000 Press is ideal for printing short-run high quality books," said Erwin Busselot, Marketing Director, Digital Printing for Kodak's Europe, Africa and Middle East Region. "Kodak has a strong partnership with Clays, working to support its drive to address online book ordering and increase digital output. Clays' adoption of the PROSPER 1000 Press, based on KODAK Stream Inkjet Technology, is a strategic step toward achieving world leadership in book production."

The PROSPER 1000 Press is an advanced monochrome digital inkjet press that delivers high performance and offset-class quality. For some time, Clays of Bungay has researched and expanded its digital book production operation, working closely with Kodak to achieve appropriate digital short run and print-on-demand solutions at a competitive total cost of ownership, providing publishers with digital print production without compromise.

Clays uses a range of Kodak equipment including three KODAK VLF Platesetters and three KODAK LOTEM Platesetters. The company is also in the final stages of installing a full bespoke KODAK PRINERGY Workflow System. For print-on-demand, Clays also utilizes a KODAK DIGIMASTER EX150 Digital Production System with in-line finishing capability-to move from PDF to finished book in minutes.

Clays is recognized as the leading book printer in the U.K., producing about 170 million books per year. The company is increasing its digital production levels to provide relevant solutions for publishers through reduced inventory and waste.

According to Clays Managing Director Kate McFarlan, the focus of Clays business strategy is to give publishers added value solutions aimed at a more efficient and cost-effective supply chain.

"By taking digital book production to new levels of speed, quality and capacity, we are in dialogue with our publishing house customers to demonstrate the advantages that Clays can provide-through print solutions for any run length from one to a million on the same paper substrate and with no quality difference," said McFarlan.

McFarlan believes that Clays is now perfectly placed to take advantage of the ever-increasing short run book printing market.

"The installation of the KODAK PROSPER 1000 Press establishes our position and strengthens the digital production side of our business," she said. "Once again it sends a positive message to our customers that we continue to build our business to their benefit. We strongly support the publishing industry and consistently strive to improve our service to them in a world of online ordering and on-demand printing. We are working with companies such as Kodak as they sell solutions, not machines. Our mantra will continue: 'Clays sells Print and Delivers!'"

Kodak is a global advisor and provider of integrated services to help companies transform and optimize their businesses. Through a network of service professionals in 120+ countries, Kodak provides technical, professional, consulting and managed services to enable customers to focus on growing their businesses, maximize productivity, and more effectively manage risks. All KODAK Products and Software are backed by KODAK Service and Support. To learn more, visit www.graphics.kodak.com.