SAN DIEGO, Feb. 12 -- Encad, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Eastman Kodak Company introduced today the ENCAD NOVAJET 1000i(TM) printer. The new printer, designed to specifications compiled from extensive customer input sessions, uses a number of innovations to improve speed, image quality, reliability, ease of use, and provide an extremely low cost per print. "The ENCAD NOVAJET 1000i printer is the first printer jointly developed by Encad and Kodak," noted Barry Lathan, ENCAD CEO. "We harnessed Kodak's extensive research and expertise in ink formulation and media, and combined it with Encad's strengths in wide-format hardware and systems optimization. The result is a breakthrough printer that proves Encad can deliver speed, image quality, and reliability as key vectors. It's exciting to show such a revolutionary printer to our customers." Speed Printing at speeds of up to 150 square feet per hour in photo quality, the NOVAJET 1000i printer is the fastest printer in its class. Encad has introduced an all-new, 640-nozzle print head to deliver the high speed with exceptional image quality. In addition, the NOVAJET 1000i uses a dual component Rapid Evaporation Drying System to enable take-up at full speed with a wide assortment of KODAK media. Exceptional Image Quality The NOVAJET 1000i printer features image quality with a resolution of up to 1200 dpi. In combination with this resolution, Encad has introduced a new dynamic print masking technique, Intelligent Mask Technology (IMT) that incorporates a proprietary ink tiling method. This advanced technique of laying down ink in a randomized pattern for each color and print mode delivers exceptional image quality during high-speed printing. Encad has also introduced Quantum Ink with the NOVAJET 1000i Printer. Developed and manufactured by Kodak, these two new ink types offer market- leading features to provide superb image quality. * Qi Dye Ink boasts outstanding color gamut and superior durability. * Qi Pigment Ink is a universal ink with the ability to print on both indoor and outdoor media with a color gamut that is unmatched by any other pigment ink. When used with KODAK media, images printed on the NOVAJET 1000i printer are covered by an unparalleled Performance Guarantee. Reliability and Ease of Use Breakthrough ink system technology and advanced print head design ensure the NOVAJET 1000i Printer leads the way in reliability and ease of use. The effective life of the new thermal print head delivers an average of 2.1 liters of ink throughput. To offer unattended printing, an intermediate ink reservoir maintains a constant supply of ink to the print head, and a warning system indicates when ink is getting low. The staggered cartridge assembly provides better image quality and easy cartridge replacement, while an active service station automatically fills, primes and cleans your ink cartridges. Encad has also introduced the NOVAJET 1000i software suite. This unique software package manages workflow with software enabled precision calibration, automated networking setup, and remote printer access. It manages business for optimum profitability with integrated job tracking, job accounting and supplies management. Low Cost Per Print The new Quantum Inks combined with Kodak's wide assortment of large format media, provide the lowest cost per print in the industry, based on MSRP. Even Encad's premium Qi Pigment universal ink option is often lower in price than prints made with competitor's dye-based inks. The low cost of consumables combined with the high production speeds of the NOVAJET 1000i Printer, provide end users with a highly profitable wide format printing system. New Benchmark for Customer Value "Achieving high throughput without compromising image quality is a challenge under any circumstances," added Peter Rudak, CTO, ENCAD. "It takes innovative design and 'out-of-the-box' problem-solving. By examining every component of this printer, from the print head design to ink formulation, ink delivery, drying technology, image science and software controls, we have redefined the meaning of system optimization, establishing a new benchmark for customer value." Rudak is also pleased at the development cycle time achieved by the NOVAJET 1000i printer teams. "Because we worked closely with Kodak on this printer, we were able to develop inks and the printer simultaneously, greatly reducing our time-to-market."