Kodak Introduces Additional Benefits with New KODAK TRENDSETTER NEWS Thermal Platesetter at IFRA Expo 2009

Updated TRENDSETTER NEWS Platesetter offers smaller footprint, new features and improved serviceability.

Rochester, NY.- Committed to continuous product evolution in response to changing industry requirements, Kodak announces the updated KODAK TRENDSETTER NEWS Platesetter at IFRA 2009. Based on the same trusted technology that printers have relied upon for the last decade, the redesigned KODAK TRENDSETTER NEWS Platesetter has a smaller footprint, offers additional automation options, and incorporates the latest technologies for minimal service and maximum uptime.

The KODAK TRENDSETTER NEWS Platesetter comes in three speeds, ranging from 80 to more than 150 plates per hour to suit newspaper printing facilities of all sizes. Newspapers can choose models with manual plate loading and unloading, manual loading and automatic unloading, or automatic loading and unloading.

“With the KODAK TRENDSETTER NEWS Platesetter, you have the flexibility to choose the level of automation that’s right for your business,” said Peter Trampler, Regional Business Manager, Prepress Solutions and Vice President, EAMER Region, Kodak. “Full automation enables you to minimize labor and plate handling costs through automatic loading and unloading of multiple plates. The manual TRENDSETTER NEWS Platesetter enables newspapers to minimize capital investment, and a new auto unload model provides automatic unloading to a plate processor or stacker.”

“To succeed in today’s changing market, you need products and technologies that can adapt,” added Rinus Hoebeke, Newspaper Segment Marketing Manager, EAMER Region, Kodak. “Our ongoing investment in the TRENDSETTER NEWS Platesetter demonstrates Kodak’s continued commitment to serving small- to medium-sized newspapers. Multiple speed and automation choices allow us to meet their production requirements and investment capabilities.”

Kodak provides integrated computer-to-plate (CTP) solutions, including the KODAK TRENDSETTER NEWS Platesetter, KODAK NEWSMANAGER Workflow Systems, KODAK THERMALNEWS GOLD Digital Plates, and the KODAK MERCURY PH-D Plate Processor.

Thermal Imaging: The Right Choice for Newspapers

KODAK TRENDSETTER NEWS Platesetters bring the quality, stability, consistency and repeatability of thermal imaging to newspaper printing, while keeping capital and operational costs to a minimum. Thermal imaging reduces the process variations found in visible light systems, resulting in more efficient and consistent plate making, excellent print quality, and lower operational costs. In addition, thermal imaging technology allows newspapers to utilize daylight conditions in prepress. These are just a few of the reasons that newspapers in the majority of markets worldwide are moving toward thermal technology.

KODAK SQUARESPOT Imaging Technology, standard in all KODAK TRENDSETTER NEWS Platesetters, produces plates of a quality that is unique among high-end CTP newspaper systems. Thermal SQUARESPOT Technology delivers consistent dot accuracy and provides tonal stability in screening technologies. KODAK TRENDSETTER NEWS Platesetters also support KODAK STACCATO Screening, so newspapers can print outstanding color, expand into semi-commercial work, and obtain additional revenue opportunities.

Reduced Environmental Footprint

Maximizing quality and productivity with the KODAK TRENDSETTER NEWS Platesetter can also help newspapers minimize their environmental impact. The newly redesigned platesetter has an approximately 20 percent smaller footprint than the previous version, reducing shipping costs and packaging, as well as space requirements in tight prepress departments.

Open Connectivity to Workflows

KODAK TRENDSETTER NEWS Platesetters are designed to integrate easily into any newspaper’s prepress environment. KODAK PRINERGY EVO News Software accepts the standard TIFF file format produced by most newspaper production systems. Further automation is available with KODAK NEWSMANAGER Workflow System.

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.