While digital printing is one aspect of the Kodak portfolio, it is complemented
by more conventional printing activities. However, conventional should not
be taken to mean old. Kodak is nothing if not a pioneer in the graphic
communications industry. It manufactures a broad range of systems and
consumables for the production of printing plates. Its plates and solutions
address all areas of the lithographic process including thermal plates and
computer-to-plate systems. It also manufactures the Kodak Sonora Process
Free Plates, offering both reduced environmental impact and costs in
plate making.
Kodak manufactures a full range of thermal-imaging and violet plates for
all sectors of the market. Kodak Violetnews Gold Digital Plates offer fast
imaging and processing for demanding, high-productivity newspaper
environments. Kodak Violet Print Digital Plates offer fast imaging and
processing for exceptional productivity under a variety of usage conditions
and print applications. This plate is compatible with most market-leading
violet plate platesetters with 30mW laser power or higher.
In the thermal range Kodak also has a number of different plates. Kodak Sonora
XP Process Free Plates for commercial printers and Kodak Sonora News Process
Free Plates for newspapers, eliminate all the costs and extra steps of processing
while providing the capabilities of mainstream plates. Printers can now reduce
their environmental impact in prepress without sacrificing productivity or print
quality. The Kodak Sonora Process Free Plates have proven so effective that
Kodak has already achieved more than 1000 installations worldwide, including
here in South Africa.
Trevor Guercio, plate and pressroom product manager at Antalis said, ‘ Our first
customer in South Africa, Multiprint Litho is achieving significant success with
the Kodak Sonora XP Process Free Plates. The company is currently making full
A1 plates in just over a minute per plate. If you add to this the fact that it is
achieving complete savings of chemistry, the energy required to run the processor
and the unattended operation, it is obvious that the Kodak Sonora Process Free
Plates provide unparalleled advantages.’
Kodak Trillian SP Thermal Plates combine exceptional performance, reduced
environmental impact, and improved cost-effectiveness in a single plate. These
plates use up to 70 percent less chemistry than previous products, reducing cost,
storage, waste disposal, and environmental impact. Excellent chemical resist-
ance leads to reliable on-press performance without the cost and complexity of
postbaking.
Plate specialist Ronnie Otto said, ‘Kodak has a range of plates for users in every
sector of the market. Here at Antalis we help our customers to select the right
plate for their specific requirements. We would not recommend the Kodak Sonora
Process Free Plates to every user because it would not necessarily be the right
plate for their production. However, we can provide every user with the correct
plate for their needs.’
Kodak Electra XD Thermal Plates are specially formulated to provide exceptional
unbaked run length and image consistency. They deliver the highest print quality
and resolution of any Kodak Thermal Plate in both sheetfed and web applications.
When used with the Kodak 400 xLo Chemistry System, Kodak Electra XD Thermal
Plates offer up to a 56 percent reduction in chemistry usage and spent chemistry
generated. The chemistry also offers extended bath life and up to a 50 percent
longer cycle period, providing customers with improved uptime, productivity and
cost.
In addition to the various plates and platesetting systems, the Kodak Prinergy
Workflow automation system is widely regarded as one of the leading systems
available on the market. It can be used with all of the Kodak systems including
platesetters and digital presses. Kodak Prinergy Workflow is also used by many
other third-party system manufacturers who recognise its strength and versatility
of the system.
The partnership between Kodak and Antalis has survived a number of
challenges over the years and has emerged stronger and more focused.
Kodak has a dedicated office in the local market but relies extensively on
Kodak to take its full range of litho sector graphic communications products
and solutions to the market.
Trevor Guercio, plate and pressroom product manager
Plate specialist Ronnie Otto
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