KODAK LAUNCHES OFFSET QUALITY INKS

Kodak has launched a new ink technology with the Kodakchrome ink range for its presses using Ultrastream inkjet technology, which it says will give offset quality.

The company says the new inks “achieve the highest levels of colour rendition, image stability, and detail.”

Kodak uses a proprietary pigment micro-milling process, which creates pigment particles that are typically less than 50 nanometers with a narrow size distribution. Kodak claims competitive pigment milling processes cannot approach these levels.

The finer pigments created by this process result in faster ink drying times and thin dried ink layers. Kodak says this means less scattering of light, and richer and purer colours with “vibrancy”, and a wide colour gamut, without sacrificing image permanence.

Kodak claims the Kodachrome inks produce a 95 per cent larger gamut volume than SWOP (web offset) and a 39 per cent larger gamut than GRACoL (sheetfed offset). Because these properties mean the inks require less laydown to achieve outstanding colours, they help reduce the running costs of the inkjet press.

Kodak also says the water-based, low-humectant Kodachrome inks are more sustainable than conventional solvent-based inks, because they do not contain PVC or phthalates, making them safer for people and the environment.

Together with Kodak’s proprietary range of printable water-based optimiser agents (primers), Kodachrome inks can be used for printing on practically any substrate. Kodak says the optimiser agents improve ink receptivity, ink adhesion, rub resistance, and image quality on most types of paper, plastic, and film.

“Kodak has been pioneering inkjet production printing for 56 years, and our new Kodachrome inks are designed to deliver outstanding print results and maximise productivity and value for our customers,” said Jim Continenza, executive chairman and CEO, Kodak. “Kodachrome inks, together with our high-speed Ultrastream Inkjet Technology and optimiser agents, create efficient digital solutions for cost-effective printing of a broad range of applications. This enables customers to shift more work from traditional printing processes such as offset to digital, opening up new opportunities for increased revenue and profits.”

Kodak says Kodachrome inks play a major role in helping the recently launched Kodak Prosper Ultra 520 Press, which uses Ultrastream technology, deliver “outstanding offset-quality print” at high speeds, covering a broad range of applications.