Kodak Unveils New Solutions for Packaging Professionals at Ipex

Latest offerings build on proven success of the KODAK Portfolio

LA HULPE, BELGIUM -- Offering one of the most complete and innovative portfolios of solutions for package printing professionals, Kodak will show a number of new products and enhancements during Ipex at its stand, 9-E320. Attendees will see the unveiling of the new FLEXCEL Direct System, new features for the FLEXCEL NX System and enhancements to the KODAK APPROVAL NX System.

A brand new member of the FLEXCEL System family, the KODAK FLEXCEL Direct System is being unveiled at Ipex. The new system, which includes imager, media and workflow from Kodak, features innovative new technology for direct laser engraving of flexo forms. The result is an affordable solution for flat plate, plate on sleeve, or continuous sleeve applications that simplifies the plate making process, removes the need for chemical processing, and improves on-press performance.

“With the FLEXCEL Direct System, customers can finally take advantage of the commercial and quality benefits of printing with in-the-round forms,” said John Cross, General Manager, Packaging Products, Kodak. “With steps forward in platemaking consistency, productivity and print quality, users can drive efficiency and client satisfaction, growing the business and boosting the bottom line.”

After previewing at Ipex, the new system is scheduled to ship in early 2011.

The award-winning KODAK FLEXCEL NX Digital Flexographic System has been recognized for its ability to provide package printers with the outstanding print quality and production efficiencies necessary to maintain a competitive edge and expand their customer base. Designed to dramatically enhance the quality and efficiency of flexographic printing for applications such as tags and labels, folding cartons and flexible packages, the FLEXCEL NX System enables offset class, gravure quality results for package printers and their brand owner clients, as well as improved productivity, and incredible simplicity and predictability on press.

The new KODAK DIGICAP NX Screening feature, available as part of the current FLEXCEL NX System, is designed to further improve the visual impact of flexible package printing by dramatically improving ink transfer. Regardless of the design or line screen, KODAK FLEXCEL NX Digital Flexographic Plates with DIGICAP NX Screening enable higher print densities, better print contrast, and cleaner tones while improving production efficiencies and reducing costs.

For packaging professionals needing a robust, proven proofing option, the KODAK APPROVAL NX Digital Color Imaging System has been optimized for the FLEXCEL NX System. New features, commercially available in June, have been added to the APPROVAL NX System to enable package printers to reduce time to market, save money on flexographic plates, and more accurately meet customer expectations with digital proofs accurately matching color and imaging on press.

“Brand owners and package printers are under increasing pressure to make the packaging process more efficient, more predictable, and more cost efficient,” added Cross. “Kodak is committed to offering best-in-class tools to help them meet these demands.”

For offset packaging printers, Kodak is launching its new KODAK TRILLIAN SP Thermal Plate at IPEX. TRILLIAN SP Plates lower the total cost of ownership—and reduce environmental impact—by using significantly less chemistry and eliminating the use of preheat and postbake ovens, even for long jobs in harsh chemical environments.

And finally, with the power of KODAK Unified Workflow Solutions, which include KODAK PRINERGY POWERPACK Workflow, KODAK INSITE Solutions and KODAK COLORFLOW Software, package printers have a robust, modular and scalable solution that can streamline production while reducing cost and improving efficiency. PRINERGY POWERPACK Workflow is a full-featured premium workflow solution built on the ADOBE PDF Print Engine that offers best in class productivity and connectivity options. PRINERGY POWERPACK Workflow features complete PDF editing capability, as well as new Packaging Layout Automation, which combines jobs and their specifications together with CF2 Die files and press configuration data to speed the process of layout, delivering significant time and cost savings to the prepress operation.

Full integration with INSITE Solutions allows package printers to use the Internet to provide new business services such as a storefront for e-commerce, as well as integrated automation and online collaboration with clients to ensure a smooth flow from submission to completion. And COLORFLOW Software helps packaging professionals more accurately manage and reproduce critical brand colors.

KODAK Products are backed by KODAK Service and Support. KODAK Service and Support is made up of more than 3,000 professionals in 120 countries. It is a leading multi-vendor integrated services provider, delivering consulting, installation, maintenance and support services for commercial printing, graphic communications, document imaging, data storage and retail industries. KODAK Service and Support professionals are uniquely qualified to provide services that control costs, maximize productivity, and minimize business risk.
About Kodak

As the world’s foremost imaging innovator, Kodak helps consumers, businesses, and creative professionals unleash the power of pictures and printing to enrich their lives.

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In the graphic communications market, Kodak offers the broadest portfolio of integrated solutions to help customers grow their business. For more information, visit www.graphics.kodak.com. For downloading photos and videos from Kodak’s image library, visit www.kodak.com/go/gcgimages.
(Kodak, Flexcel, Approval, Digicap, Trillian, Prinergy Powerpack, InSite and ColorFlow are trademarks of Eastman Kodak Company.)
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