New KODAK COLORFLOW Software Provides Integrated Color Control throughout the Production Environment

Kodak will launch COLORFLOW Software at drupa 2008

Integrated color control across all devices—monitors, scanners, halftone and inkjet proofers, and digital and conventional presses—is finally achievable using one software solution across the entire production environment: KODAK COLORFLOW Software. Kodak announced today that it will launch the new COLORFLOW Software solution at drupa 2008.

COLORFLOW Software tackles the core issues that plague the design, production and delivery of color in the graphic arts marketplace; the ability to achieve a reliable color match from the original electronic file all the way through the production process to the final output on both digital and conventional presses. COLORFLOW Software enables print professionals to reduce costs by: helping ensure that critical color control elements—curves, profiles, and spot recipes—are used together correctly; reducing the number of press runs for setting up color; and reducing training needs.

“With COLORFLOW Software, users can meet the print buyers’ expectations while eliminating the hidden costs that can reduce profitability,” said Arjen Van Der Meulen, Director of Color, Kodak’s Graphic Communications Group. “KODAK COLORFLOW Software accomplishes this by making certain that color control tools work together correctly and in harmony, while reducing the number of remakes, approvals and press runs required to establish accurate color. KODAK COLORFLOW Software provides a complete, color management solution.”

COLORFLOW Software will be available both as a standalone product, as well as an integrated solution within KODAK PRINERGY Workflow System Version 5.0, which will also be introduced at drupa.
COLORFLOW Software is ideal for all segments of the market

Historically, many individual tools and devices have been offered for color control at various stages of the production process. COLORFLOW Software provides a truly complete solution that can be introduced into virtually any operation, including increasingly common blended production environments.

Once KODAK COLORFLOW Software is in place in the print production environment, many issues that affected color management in the past are resolved automatically. COLORFLOW Software maintains and manages relationships among the control elements and device print conditions, managing color setups throughout the workflow and between devices to eliminate mismatched settings.

When a print condition is refined for a specific device, COLORFLOW Software can update all the color control elements automatically, ending the breakdowns in communication between color management tools that hampered color matching in the past.

“Not only can COLORFLOW Software simplify the setup and optimization of color control across the entire print production workflow, but it also performs a new level of print condition management that moves color into a new era,” said Van Der Meulen. “COLORFLOW Software supports the continued evolution of print as a manufacturing process.”

Fully integrated with the KODAK PRINERGY Workflow System, COLORFLOW Software provides complete color management through automated communication, control, and tracking of complex PDF pages. COLORFLOW Software’s one step curve and profile creation can characterize an output device using a single print run, calibrating the output to a desired color response. In this single print run, COLORFLOW Software can generate calibration curves, spot color recipes, ICC profiles and comprehensive print condition reports.

COLORFLOW Software enhancesthe KODAK SPOTLESS Printing Solution with improved spot color recipes and accurate n-color profiles for image separation. Furthermore, COLORFLOW Software can use colorimetric information to build curves that optimize color and gray balance, providing more uniform color reproduction across devices.

COLORFLOW Software utilizes Smart DeviceLink technology to create device links for applications such as proofing, press stabilization and ink savings. Kodak’s unique KODAK MATCHPRINT Virtual Technology allows accurate and consistent on screen color when editing profiles and curves within the COLORFLOW Software.

COLORFLOW Software supports international standards and formats

COLORFLOW Software is using open standard formats and will work with both Kodak and non-Kodak Systems. Kodak fully endorses the rigorous ISO 12647 printing and ISO 10128 printing system standardization recommendations, as well as supports the international PDF/X data exchange formats (and associated ICC standards), as well as the JDF job control specifications.

It is available in English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Japanese, Simplified Chinese, and Russian. COLORFLOW Software offers the same functionality in both Windows and Mac operating systems.

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.