Kodak To Offer MacDermid Printing Plates

MONTREAL, Canada—At the FFTA’s Annual Forum and INFO*FLEX Exhibition in Montreal, Canada (May 6-9), Kodak announced that it will offer MacDermid Printing Solutions’ Digital MUST, Digital RAVE, and Digital EPIC printing plates to customers worldwide. This agreement is part of Kodak’s initiative to expand its package printing solutions portfolio to include digital flexographic plates, giving customers access to a full line of integrated prepress solutions from a single provider that includes workflow, proofing, digital plate imaging, and printing plates.

“To grow revenue and increase profit, package printers are looking for consistent, stable, repeatable print that delivers high-impact results on the store shelf,” said Vic Stalam, director of market segments and vice president, packaging products, Kodak’s Graphic Communications Group. “This agreement with MacDermid will make it easier for our customers to access a complete digital solution including workflow, proofing, imaging and plates to exceed expectations.”

Digital MUST printing plate
The MACDERMID Digital MUST plate is a medium-hardness plate for high-end film and paper packaging applications. Ozone and crack resistance—and higher tensile strength—combine to deliver long runs with minimal errors. The plate produces the fine highlights and wide tonal range necessary for superior print reproduction.

Other attributes of the Digital MUST plate that bolster quality and consistency include an improved laser ablative mask that enhances dot shape, extends image latitude and makes cover sheet release easier, while eliminating sources for dust and light diffusion. Digital MUST comes in thicknesses of 0.045˝ - 0.112˝ and in sizes up to 52˝ x 80˝.

Digital RAVE printing plate
For printers producing packaging with demanding graphics, the high durometer of the MACDERMID Digital RAVE plate reduces dot gain in screens and minimizes banding due to press bounce. The Digital RAVE plate increases image sharpness with finer highlights and crisp text. Highly durable and reliable, Digital RAVE plates offer long runs, minimal dot wear and reduced tack. Digital RAVE is available in a thickness of 0.045˝ and sizes up to 52˝ x 80˝.

Digital EPIC printing plate
The MACDERMID Digital EPIC plate offers the highest quality print of the three plates. Designed to meet the needs of high-end, full-color process printing, the Digital EPIC plate provides imaging characteristics that enable flexo to match the quality of offset or gravure printing.

The Digital EPIC plate offers a micro-rough surface texture with excellent ink transfer for challenging flexo printing application for unique ink requirements. The cap layer also adds an extra benefit to imaging by ensuring the plate provides a broad tonal range. The Digital EPIC plate is available in thickness of 0.045˝ - 0.107˝ and in sizes up to 52˝ x 80˝.

“Our flexographic printing plates have enjoyed much success in North America and Europe helping package printers improve quality, reduce turnaround time and exceed customer expectations,” said Daniel H. Leever, CEO, MacDermid. “This agreement with Kodak is important to MacDermid because it expands our reach and ability to help packaging customers around the world.”

In addition to the three plates, Kodak will also sell MACDERMID SOLVIT QD plate washout solution and platemaking equipment.