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Kodak Helps Package Printers Improve Speed and Quality with New Digital Flexographic System


WEBWIRE

Kodak elevates flexographic print quality with a new computer to plate (CTP) print solution for package printing. The KODAK FLEXCEL NX Digital Flexographic System provides previously unachievable near offset print quality on a wide variety of substrates, including paper, flexible film, foil, and label stock.

“Increasing competition in the package printing market is placing pressure on printers to deliver high quality print on a growing list of substrates,” said Vic Stalam, Director of Market Segments and Vice President, Packaging Products, Kodak’s Graphic Communications Group. “The FLEXCEL NX Digital Flexographic System provides a competitive advantage through higher resolution and a more productive process.”

The integrated FLEXCEL NX Digital Flexographic System includes the KODAK FLEXCEL NX 830 Thermal Imaging Layer, a choice of KODAK TRENDSETTER NX Narrow or Mid Imager, KODAK FLEXCEL NX Laminator, KODAK FLEXCEL NX Digital Flexographic Plates, and the KODAK PRINERGY Workflow System for Packaging.

The FLEXCEL NX Thermal Imaging Layer is imaged using KODAK SQUARESPOT Imaging Technology to provide exceptionally high resolution images with highlight dots considerably smaller than those possible with existing digital flexo technology. The FLEXCEL NX System can reproduce dots as small as 10 microns, resulting in flexo printing comparable to offset. The improved resolution allows flexographic printers to reproduce on press subtle gradations in highlights and use all levels of gray. Imaging on the TRENDSETTER NX Imager occurs at up to 9.5 square meters per hour, with imaging taking only about half the time as other digital flexo plates.

To further boost efficiency, the TRENDSETTER NX Imagers include the TIFF Front End suite of software utilities that allow an operator to check files for accuracy before imaging and optimize media usage for both plate imaging and proofing applications.

Post imaging, the FLEXCEL Thermal Imaging Layer is laminated to a FLEXCEL NX Digital Flexographic Plate. The lamination ensures intimate contact between the layer and the plate, eliminating all oxygen and allowing full amplitude, flat top highlight dots to form during UV exposure. Dot gain is extremely consistent even with over impression. In addition, plates resist plugging with ink, decreasing costly downtime for cleaning, which often destroys highlight dots.

Green Bay Engraving, a trade shop that specializes in solutions for the flexographic package printing market and is a leading adopter of innovative technology, provides a full range of prepress products and services to printers, converters and end users. The company, which has been using the FLEXCEL NX System for six months, appreciates the resolution capabilities of the system.

The FLEXCEL NX Digital Flexographic System complements Kodak’s existing digital flexo solution, which includes the KODAK THERMOFLEX Platesetter and digital flexo plates manufactured by MacDermid Printing Solutions.

Kodak provides market leading technologies, products, services, and solutions for packaging printers, converters and trade shops of all sizes. KODAK packaging solutions help customers deliver high impact packaging and accurate brand colors—across all substrates, through any print process, anywhere in the world. Customers can access an integrated suite of KODAK products, including workflow software, digital color proofing systems, digital plate imaging and printing plates.

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.



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