drupa 2012: Revving Up for the Big Show
The Wide Web World of Inkjet
Also on Prosper, Kodak has partnered with book manufacturer Timsons to develop a special inkjet press using Stream technology. Able to print some 53˝ wide, it is 30 percent wider than any other high-speed digital inkjet press. It is being installed at Timsons' facility in Clays, UK, this month and will be running live at drupa.
Two other Kodak items stood out in Lisbon. The new Prosper S30 heads are intended to bring high-quality personalization to offset print jobs with 3,000 fpm speeds and 600x200 dpi resolution. This raises the bar on hybrid printing, a long-time Kodak inkjet offering that has already been enhanced by the Prosper S10 and S20 heads. A new CMYK version of the S20 heads will be on display at drupa running on an offset press.
On NexPress, gold, neon pink and pearlescent toners are being rolled out to add more value to the fifth station. The pink is "Pink Panther" worthy and the gold seems to be a larger particle size that stands slightly proud of the substrate so you can actually feel it with your fingertips. Like the Kodak Dimensional toner used by many NexPress customers, these are nice differentiators and make the NexPress worth a look, depending on one's customers and their needs.
Also new for the NexPress is an in-line UV coater from Tec Lighting that offers a satin or gloss finish, and a new high-capacity delivery tray to handle the 26˝ sheets that the NexPress can produce.
Other yellow-tinted news from Kodak includes new Sonora XP process-free plates, an entry-level CTP system, multiple enhancements to Prinergy Workflow and new laser engraving for in-the-round flexographic sleeves.
Pantone and X-Rite reiterated the March 1st announcement of PantoneLIVE, a cloud-based color service that provides instant access to critical brand color standards. The companies' other compelling drupa announcements are off-the-table until next month, but think new and improved tools for color management and control. You'll see some really nice toys with high performance and attractive price points.
