Inkjet & Digital Printing
Kodak Showcases PROSPER PRESS Platform using Stream Inkjet Technology at Print 09
Tuesday 15. September 2009 - Color and monochrome PROSPER Presses target books, direct mail and more; new finishing options and substrate pre-treatment in development
Print and marketing service providers will see and learn more details about the KODAK PROSPER Press Platform at Print 09, as the company showcases its KODAK PROSPER 5000XL Press for color applications and KODAK PROSPER 1000 Press for monochrome applications. Based on KODAK Stream Inkjet Technology, PROSPER Presses deliver high speed and high quality at a low total cost of ownership, with the flexibility of digital.
Both the PROSPER 5000XL Press and PROSPER 1000 Press are targeted to the book and direct mail markets. In addition, the PROSPER 5000XL Press will be marketed for catalogs/ inserts and magazines. The PROSPER Press Platform provides consistency from press to press and job to job, making it easy for printers to ensure maximum productivity and uptime. A modular and scaleable architecture means that customers can leverage investments in the PROSPER 1000 Press to easily field upgrade to a PROSPER 5000XL Press, ensuring they have the best configuration to meet their needs. PROSPER 1000 Press installations will begin in first quarter 2010 and PROSPER 5000XL Press installations will begin in the first half of 2010.
“The KODAK PROSPER Press Platform meets the markets demand for high-quality, high-speed operation, and a low total cost of ownership, delivering digital without compromise. The platform enables todays print and marketing service providers to maximize production and supply chain efficiencies and return on marketing investment,” said Kevin Joyce, Worldwide Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Digital Printing Solutions, Kodak. “For book printers, commercial printers, direct marketers and others, KODAK PROSPER Presses bring a host of new revenue and growth opportunities.”
Performance and Benefits
KODAK PROSPER Presses feature a print speed of up to 650 fpm (200 mpm) with image quality approaching 175 lpi, and a monthly duty cycle of up to 120 million A4 pages. The presses are able to handle both coated and uncoated papers, including glossy coated, with basis weights ranging from 45 gsm-175 gsm (30 lbs-120 lbs) on the PROSPER 1000 Press and 45 gsm-300 gsm (30 lbs-200 lbs) on the PROSPER 5000XL Press. In addition, the devices boast an advanced ink formulation to further enhance print quality, durability and the unique ability to print on glossy coated substrates.
The PROSPER 1000 Press is a single unit perfecting press, while the PROSPER 5000XL Press is a two-unit, full-color press configured for printing perfected webs.
For book printers, the PROSPER Press Platform offers a solution superior to offset for run lengths up to 7,000 copies, greatly enhancing supply chain efficiency. For direct mail printers, the PROSPER Press Platform leverages high-quality customization to improve response rates and offers 30 percent lower total cost of ownership compared to offset printing in combination with offline laser imprinting. And finally, for catalog and magazine printers, the PROSPER Press Platform beats the overall cost of offset in run lengths up to 3,000 copies, while increasing response rates through the use of personalization and targeted marketing.
Workflow to Drive the PROSPER Press Platform
The PROSPER Press Platform will be driven by the KODAK 700 Print Manager, a front-end system enabling high-quality variable data printing at the full rated speed of 650 fpm for the entire range of target applications. The KODAK 700 Print Manager accepts and processes a variety of data streams, including PDF, PostScript, PPML-GA, PPML-VDX, VPS, and AFP/IPDS.
Furthermore, the optimized interface between the KODAK 700 Print Manager and KODAK PRINERGY Workflow System provides advanced automation, making it easier for print providers to blend offset and digital printing technology. For users of the PROSPER Presses, KODAK Unified Workflow Solutions provide integrated end-to-end solutions encompassing enterprise management, creative tools, data and color management, web portals, and output production.
Substrate Flexibility for Book and Commercial Printers
For book and commercial printers that want the flexibility of using a variety of offset paper stocks, Kodak is developing a pre-treatment solution for offset paper stocks via a simple in-line module that integrates with KODAK PROSPER Presses. Virtually any paper, including coated and glossy stocks, can be pre-treated with Kodaks in-line unit to achieve offset class output on PROSPER Press while delivering the many benefits of digital printing. A simple coating formula plus a proven coating technology will bring printers a reliable, easy way to optimize results on press and generate new revenues.
Finishing Solutions for Profitable Applications
Kodak is developing finishing solutions for the PROSPER Press Platform with a number of industry leaders, including Hunkeler, Muller Martini, and Lasermax Roll Systems. Finishing solutions will be provided for a wide range of applications such as roll to roll, book blocks, perfect bound books, saddlestitched books, signatures, and fanfolded and cut sheet output.
“No other company can match Kodaks unique combination of image and materials science expertise and our 40-plus years of innovation and experience in continuous inkjet technology,” said Joyce. “Its that heritage and commitment that make us a trusted and reliable partnerthe best partner to help our customers grow their business.”