Kodak Hosts Customers and Journalists for Comprehensive Overview of its Digital Printing Technologies and Solutions

Attendees get firsthand look at how Kodak’s integrated solutions maximize opportunities for digital print

Rochester, New York.- More than 300 customers and journalists from around the world recently convened at Kodak’s facility in Dayton, Ohio, for an update on Kodak’s complete digital portfolio of products. Highlights of the event included demonstrations of Kodak’s latest inkjet and electrophotographic systems and KODAK Unified Workflow Solutions, as well as a preview of Kodak’s new Stream Inkjet Technology.

Well known independent industry experts and senior executives from Kodak presented insightful and interactive learning sessions that showed how Kodak’s complete solutions approach to digital printing helps its customers identify and serve growing markets. From the benefits of blended production environments to the importance of dependability, quality and consistency, attendees gained a better understanding of how to efficiently and profitably meet the changing needs of the market.

Attendees experienced demonstrations of integrated, scaleable solutions from the KODAK VERSAMARK, NEXPRESS and DIGIMASTER Product Families, as well as two technology demonstrations of KODAK Stream Inkjet Technology, which will be on display at drupa. With briefings from product managers and an opportunity to gain a better understanding of Kodak’s overall digital print strategy, customers came away from the meeting with the market knowledge they need to build an effective plan for the future of their digital operations.

“They showed us some impressive samples of lithographic printing versus the inkjets, and they were really almost identical,” said John Fenske of Fenske Media in Rapid City, S.D. “The quality is dead on, and if you didn’t have the two to compare, you couldn’t tell how it’s printed. What I saw here at this event is not smoke and mirrors. This is going to be a real product in the near future, and it’s something we’re definitely interested in.”

Also on display at the event was the new KODAK VERSAMARK VL2000 Printing System utilizing DOD print technology for a direct mail application from a “white paper in” configuration. The system will be formally launched at drupa and is ideal for transactional and commercial print environments with volumes ranging from 1 million to 5 million impressions per month. It employs roll to roll operation at 600 dpi x 600 dpi and a maximum speed of 250 feet per minute at up to 18.67 inches in width, and eliminates the redundant process of printing full color shells for transactional applications. Complementing the VERSAMARK VL2000 System was the enhanced KODAK VERSAMARK VX5000 Plus Printing System. Running at 750 fpm, this system is the fastest process color inkjet press on the market.

During the meeting, Kodak also announced that it will showcase its new Stream Concept Printhead from Kodak on a MULLER MARTINI Press at drupa 2008. For all attendees, the event provided an excellent opportunity to preview some of the many new products and solutions that Kodak will be showing in Booth D01 in Hall 5 at drupa next month.

“Kodak’s commercial inkjet line, made of current CIJ, DOD and KODAK Stream Inkjet Technology, will continue to provide the preferred roll fed digital solutions as the industry accelerates the pace of adoption of digital printing,” said Isidre Rosello, General Manager, Inkjet Printing Solutions, Kodak’s Graphic Communications Group. “Kodak is leveraging its track record with inkjet printing and combining that with its strength in offering robust, unified workflow and prepress solutions to bring a new breed of products based on these technologies.”

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.