Kodak to Address Platemakers at FPPA Annual Convention

ROCHESTER, N.Y.—Managing last minute changes with PDF technology is the focus of a Kodak presentation at the Annual Flexographic Pre-Press Platemakers Association (FPPA) convention. Bob Dalton, product manager, Kodak’s Graphic Communications Group (GCG), will present “Save Time and Expedite Orders with Revolutionary PDF Production Tools” on Monday, Feb. 19 at the Doubletree Paradise Valley Resort, Scottsdale, Ariz. Kodak is a sponsor of the event, which runs Feb. 18-20.

Dalton’s presentation will explore the benefits of KODAK PRINERGY PDF Compare and PDF Merge Software. These PDF plug-in production tools provide an automated way for prepress operators to incorporate last minute changes when preparing files for production, helping flexographic prepress suppliers save time and money.

“Kodak’s PDF Compare and PDF Merge Software help users exceed customer expectations by reducing production timelines,” said Fred Stringfellow, executive director, FPPA. “We recognized the importance of this software with our Technology Innovator of the Year award in 2006, and we’re excited to give attendees at the annual conference an in depth look at and explanation of the solution.”

Awarded both the FPPA 2006 Technological Innovator of the Year award and the 2005 PIA/GATF InterTech Technology Award for innovation, PDF Compare and PDF Merge Software help manage correction cycles in a prepress workflow. PDF Compare Software is a quality control tool that allows users to analyze two PDF files and identify the differences between them. PDF Merge Software is a prepress production tool that enables the operator to identify all of the prior work done on a plate ready file (traps, screening assignment, geometry, overprint settings, etc.) and merge all of those elements into a new revised production file.

In 2006, Kodak released an update to these two PDF production tools that provides additional functionality. This enhancement gives prepress operators the flexibility to compare files that have different document sizes and to compare files where the graphics are in different positions within the documents.

“Demand for quick turnaround times continues to increase in package printing as companies rush to get products on store shelves,” said Vic Stalam, general manager, Packaging, Kodak’s Graphic Communications Group. “KODAK PDF Compare and PDF Merge Software will help our customers better control their production process and exceed time to shelf expectations.”

A demonstration of the software can be accessed at http://www2.creo.com/video/pdf/pdfdemo.html