CHICAGO, Sept. 9-Packstar Flexible Packaging of Amherst, N.Y., a full service, turnkey supplier of seamed, seamless, and pre-form shrink labeling products, works closely with customers to ensure high quality through every phase of a project, from concept to finished product. With new solutions from Kodak, Packstar is expanding its capabilities and bringing more of its plate production in house for improved efficiency, greater process control, and enhanced quality.

Packstar recently added a KODAK FLEXCEL NX Digital Flexographic System, which includes the KODAK TRENDSETTER NX Mid Imager, KODAK FLEXCEL NX Plates, KODAK FLEXCEL NX Thermal Imaging Layer, KODAK FLEXCEL NX Laminator, and KODAK PRINERGY POWERPACK Workflow System. Packstar has been using FLEXCEL NX Plates on press for several months. However, the installation of the FLEXCEL NX System marks the first time that Packstar will produce its own FLEXCEL NX Plates internally.

The award winning FLEXCEL NX System provides offset class, gravure quality on a wide variety of substrates-including paper, flexible film, foil, label stock, and folding cartons. The KODAK TRENDSETTER NX Imager offers exceptional productivity and consistency, as well as a wide tonal range for flexographic printing. In addition to semi-automatic operation, process stability and easy maintenance, the device uses KODAK SQUARESPOT Imaging Technology for outstanding process control and to produce an image dot size as small as 10 microns.

"We see a tremendous opportunity for growth with the new FLEXCEL NX System," said Andy Sharp, CEO of Packstar Flexible Packaging. "By adding to the KODAK Solutions we already have, we are increasing our plate capacity while maintaining greater control over the production process. We are very particular about the products we use, and have been very pleased with the performance of the FLEXCEL NX Plates."

With a KODAK THERMOFLEX Narrow Platesetter and KODAK PRINERGY POWERPACK Workflow System already in use, Packstar handles high end consumer packaging work for a variety of clients.

"We're now achieving 200 line screen on these jobs, significantly exceeding the 175 line screen with rotogravure or 133 line screen with typical flexography," said Sharp. "By delivering rotogravure quality at a lower than flexographic cost, we're providing customers with a better looking product at a greater value. FLEXCEL NX creates new business opportunities for us because we now can produce labels that customers previously required to be printed using rotogravure."

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.