KODAK Captures 2008 PIA/GATF InterTech Award

ROCHESTER, N.Y.—The 2008 PIA/GATF InterTech™ Technology Award recipients have been revealed, and Kodak is pleased to announce that the KODAK FLEXCEL NX Digital Flexographic System is one of 10 technologies to receive this prestigious annual industry award. First begun in 1978, the PIA/GATF InterTech Technology Awards recognize excellence in innovative technology for the graphic communications marketplace.

“The KODAK FLEXCEL NX Digital Flexographic System represents an exciting new approach to imaging flexo plates that delivers extremely high resolution and outstanding consistency,” said Doug Edwards, General Manager Prepress Solution, Kodak’s Graphic Communications Group. “Several of our customers have already captured awards for work produced with the system, so to receive this award from PIA/GATF is very gratifying for us. This is a solution that will continue to have a significant impact on the market.”

Providing offset class, gravure quality on a wide variety of substrates—including paper, flexible film, foil, label stock, and folding cartons—the integrated FLEXCEL NX Digital Flexographic System includes the KODAK FLEXCEL NXH Digital Flexographic Plates, KODAK FLEXCEL NX Thermal Imaging Layer, KODAK TRENDSETTER NX Narrow Imager or KODAK TRENDSETTER NX Mid Imager, KODAK FLEXCEL NX Laminator, KODAK SQUARESPOT Imaging Technology, and KODAK PRINERGY POWERPACK Workflow System for Packaging.

Because the Thermal Imaging Layer is laminated directly to the plate, there is no issue with oxygen attack, enabling the formation of stable, full amplitude, flat top dots on the plate. This dot structure significantly reduces dot gain and dramatically improves print consistency and quality while providing repeatable results with a full tonal range.

“The KODAK FLEXCEL NX Digital Flexographic System is a truly innovative solution for the market and was an easy choice for the selection committee,” noted Dr. Mark Bohan, Vice President, Research and Technology, PIA/GATF. “The print samples were really something to see, proving that this approach to flexographic plate imaging is a positive jump forward for the market.”

The FLEXCEL NX System is enabling printers to achieve results not previously thought possible and allowing them to discover new ways to push the boundaries of flexo printing.

In a technology demonstration earlier this year, Williamson Printing Corporation in Dallas used its FLEXCEL NX System to image offset separations using offset angles and zero retouching on KODAK FLEXCEL NX Digital Flexographic Plates. Those plates were then mounted on the coating stations of Williamson’s hybrid HEIDELBERG SPEEDMASTER Sheetfed Offset Press and high quality movie posters were printed at 300 lpi with densities in all colors exceeding 2.0.

Also, in March, the Flexographic Pre-Press Platemakers Association (FPPA) presented one of its three 2008 FPPA Technology Innovator of the Year awards to the KODAK FLEXCEL NX Digital Flexographic System.