Gent (Belgium), January 2012 – Esko is enjoying ‘exponential’ growth in the number of HD Flexo Certified customers, partners and vendors as industry leaders increasingly recognize the impact this innovative process can have on the success of their businesses.

“Customers are finding HD Flexo certification makes a big difference,” says Jan Buchweitz, Senior Product Manager Digital Flexo at Esko. “They want trusted solutions. They want to know that certified components will all work perfectly together, whether they are printing machines, ink or tape. They also want advice from providers that clearly understand exactly how HD Flexo delivers an improved print performance and how individual providers can best leverage this capability within their operations.”

HD Flexo certification process

The introduction of HD Flexo into the daily production environment is much smoother when trade shops and printers are using HD Flexo certified components. For vendors, partners and customers wishing to take advantage of the certification program, a rigorous process requires that different print samples from five different commercial jobs be printed consistently. Once certified, renewals at regular intervals are encouraged to ensure that print quality is maintained and in line with market developments. Vendors also need to certify each product individually, but once the initial certification has been obtained, subsequent applications are faster and easier. By the end of 2011, Esko could welcome 95 HD Flexo Certified customers, 60 HD Flexo Certified partners and 10 HD Flexo Certified vendors. Many more companies are currently undergoing the application process.

“The achievement of higher quality requires compliance with specific standards,” comments Buchweitz, “and it is only if you follow these that you get the consistency and predictability that delivers the right print every time. This standardization across vendors, partners and customers ensures a new horizon in flexo quality. The process requires a great deal of commitment from both suppliers and Esko, resulting in some very rewarding long-term relationships. It also enables all parties to benefit from offering this leading-edge print solution.”

 

Even companies that were initially reticent to gain certification because they wanted to remain impartial are now embracing the process, adds Buchweitz: “They are seeing the positive impact HD Flexo certification can have on their business. We started with certification of trade houses, which initially had difficulty getting equipment that matched the required standard. Now trade houses are encouraging their partners to get certified, and this has prompted exponential growth, spanning all sectors from flexible packaging and labels to folding cartons and corrugated.”

Certification delivers vendor benefits

“When we launched the HD Flexo certification program, we began with customers but soon realized that suppliers were keen to gain certification as well,” explains Buchweitz. “They found it to be a terrific way for them to demonstrate that their systems were capable of producing consistent and reliable high quality results. This in turn enabled them to have more meaningful conversations with their customers.”

The nine HD Flexo Certified vendors are:

Press vendors:

• Edale (www.edale.com): manufacturer of specialist web printing and converting machinery in flexographic, digital and commercial security printing as well as specialty converting.
• Gallus Labels (www.gallus-group.com): specialist in the provision of a comprehensive portfolio of machines and service for label and folding carton printers.
• Mark Andy (www.markandy.com): manufacturer of narrow web printing equipment.
• Omet (www.omet.it): manufacturer of narrow-web flexographic printing presses for labels, folding cartons and flexible packaging.

Ink Suppliers:

• Siegwerk (www.siegwerk.com): independent ink manufacturer.

Anilox Suppliers:

• Apex (www.apex-groupofcompanies.com): manufacturer of anilox rolls.
• Harper (www.harperimage.com): manufacturer of laser engraved anilox rolls.
• Zecher (www.zecher.com): manufacturer of anilox solutions.

Tape Suppliers:

• Lohmann (www.lohmann-tapes.com): double-sided adhesive tape manufacturer.
• Tesa (www.tesatape.com): double-sided adhesive tape manufacturer.

 

Customers embrace HD Flexo certification quality label

Among the customers that have seen HD Flexo transform their business is RAKO Etiketten and Stefan Behrens, head of pre-print, says: “Being HD Flexo certified strengthens our market presence and distinguishes us from the competition. The certification is a great marketing asset – it gives our customers and prospects even more confidence, and will help us win business.”

St-Luc, a self-adhesive labels print specialist, was the first printing company in Benelux to be HD Flexo certified, while Ampac took their graphics to the next level. Joe Lydic, Ampac’s art director, explains: “HD Flexo has done a great thing for the process image - we see a lot of positive attributes happening with solids and ink density. It also gives you more ink saturation. That alone is a big plus.”

“Prior to HD Flexo, selling flexo shrink sleeves against rotogravure was a harder sell - the quality didn’t quite match on the more intricate designs,” adds Sean Keeney, president and CEO, Walle Corporation - the first to invest in HD Flexo and the first North American label printer to achieve HD Flexo certification. “Then we saw a huge impact in drop shadows, so we don’t have any challenges getting to fine zero and 1% dots. Our customers are also realizing the benefits - winning awards for their package reproduction.”

Buchweitz concludes: “We are delighted that such a wide range of companies have embraced HD Flexo certification and are so committed to using it. The adoption rate is clear validation that the process works and that HD Flexo has important commercial benefits. HD Flexo Certified companies are able to differentiate their solutions from their competition.”

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Gent (Belgium), January 2012 – Esko’s successful  HD Flexo certification process continues to win industry approval with narrow web flexo press manufacturer Edale as the latest company to achieve the certification.

The £8m turnover Hampshire operation specializes in the design and manufacture of a number of presses including the Alpha, Beta, Gamma and FL-350 models, alongside its range of converting machinery the FDC-510, flatbed die cutting machine, the Lambda and the variable length sheet cutter the VLS-650. Edale achieved certification for its FL-350 and Gamma flexo presses as part of its continued commitment to improvement. It hopes to certify all its presses with the Alpha compact press and the Beta modular press next.

“We decided to gain HD Flexo certification because as a forward thinking business, Edale is constantly striving to improve the quality of flexo printing. Working with the Esko HD Flexo solution, we are pushing the boundaries for the highest quality printing results," states Jeremy Westcott, Edale’s Sales and Marketing Director. “The reduction in size of the smallest printable dot helps to achieve a finish far and above the traditional flexo methods. The images we can produce are much cleaner, sharper and more defined.”

 

Pushing the boundaries with HD Flexo certifcation

Edale recognizes the end user is always aiming to achieve increased quality and design in a competitive marketplace. With the HD Flexo certification, the company can assure this is delivered. Westcott adds: “Combining an Edale press with HD Flexo, we are really pushing the boundaries of flexo printing. The quicker make-ready time and greater run-lengths from the plates works in parallel with Edale's ethos of manufacturing presses that focus on minimum downtime and wastage, with a quicker time to market due to the simplified prepress. The richness of the image and the contrasting tones it can achieve, helps to keep flexo in the running with end results rivalling those of other technologies. When trialling machines to potential customers, the results we can show them are undoubtedly more impressive using this method.”

The rigorous certification process requires vendors and partners to consistently produce ten different print samples from five different jobs. Annual renew ensures print quality is maintained in line with market developments. Vendors also need to certify each product individually, but once the initial certification has been obtained, subsequent applications are faster and easier.

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Gent (Belgium), January 2012 - At FESPA Digital, Esko will showcase its ‘design to print to cut’ solutions that streamline the entire workflow, including the printing and finishing of sign and display applications. Featured at the show are the Kongsberg i-XP24 and Kongsberg i-XE10 Auto. Combined with i-cut Suite including the newly launched i-cut Automate, these end-to-end solutions deliver the most versatile equipment for the digital finishing of signs and displays. Esko will be located in Hall 3 stand H5 at the show, being held in Barcelona from 21 to 24 February.

Enjoy automatic savings with i-cut Suite Automate

i-cut Automate automates the entire production process to ultimately reduce costs. With i-cut Automate, users can quickly build dynamic workflows that automate repetitive prepress tasks, reducing operator intervention and errors. As well as time and money, it also saves materials in the production process.

i-cut Automate is the latest addition to Esko’s successful i-cut Suite - an integrated solution designed to streamline the entire sign and display manufacturing workflow, from design to print to cut. i-cut Suite includes workflow automation and editing tools that specifically support die-less digital finishing. It comprises of three core modules: i-cut Preflight to check incoming PDF data; i-cut Layout to handle the layout and nesting of sheet layouts and i-cut Vision Pro to ensure die-less cutting contours perfectly match the printed images.

“Printers increasingly understand the need for an integrated and automated workflow. To handle the larger number of shorter runs and wider job mix now typical of the market, they require solutions that remove time-consuming labor from the work process and cost-efficiently enhance throughput capacity,” says Armand Gougay, Esko Vice President EMEA. He points out that prepress workflow solutions are an especially important element of a successful future for sign and display companies: “With i-cut Suite, potential production issues are caught and resolved at the beginning of the workflow, resulting in a smooth manufacturing process. The ability to nest and automate the entire workflow are just some of the benefits that create efficiency gains for companies of all sizes, even small print shops."

Dedicated solutions delivering production improvements

Taking center stage at Esko’s FESPA Digital stand is the Kongsberg i-XP24 with sheet feeder, the market’s leading digital finishing solution specifically designed to deliver unsurpassed productivity and perfect registration. The Kongsberg i-XP24 is equipped with i-cut camera-based registration. It also has multiple quick-change cutting tools that allow manufacturers to easily handle a variety of materials.

Esko will also highlight its Kongsberg i-XE10 Auto, fully automated, die-less digital finishing solution, designed as the perfect finishing complement to any digital print operation. Specifically created with the growing demand for finishing of small-format, short-run digitally printed material in mind, it can work alongside any small-format or medium-sized digital press to deliver the industry’s most efficient sign and display graphics production solution.

Robust solutions for a versatile operation

Esko‘s versatile digital finishing solutions are unique in the industry. They enable customers to implement the most robust, productive and responsive workflow possible. "As a key growth market in the industry, the signs and displays and also the digital packaging segment offers exciting opportunities for manufacturers," concludes Gougay. "Companies investing in solutions for the entire workflow - including design, printing and cutting - are those that will benefit most. Our stand at FESPA Digital will clearly demonstrate Esko’s commitment to delivering low cost, simple entry-level functionality for PDF preflight and layout with exceptional productivity efficiencies, from the designer’s workstation all the way through to the finishing table. By adding even more automation to the process with i-cut Automate, customers are positioning themselves as formidable competitors within the market space.”

FESPA Partnership

Just as last year, FESPA has again chosen Esko as its exclusive Global Software & Finishing Partner. In addition, Esko has been selected as software and digital finishing partner for the Print Shop Live, a fully functional printing operation showcasing a full end-to-end workflow from design software, to RIP solutions, multiple output devices using different print technologies and finishing - all on the widest possible range of media. Esko will demonstrate the capabilities of its Kongsberg i-XE10 digital finishing solution and i-cut Suite software. The other partners are ONYX, GMG Color, Epson, Mutoh and Ilford Biomedia. Guided tours by inkjet expert Sophie Matthews-Paul will highlight the advantages of the technologies on show and how they integrate effectively.

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Eastman Kodak Company (the “Company”) (OTB: EKDKQ.PK) today said that it has posted on its Company website and its reorganization information website slides from a Public Lender Presentation (the “Lender Presentation”) in connection with the syndication to potential lenders of its previously-announced Debtor-In-Possession Credit Agreement dated as of January 20, 2012. The slides can be found in the Investor Relations section of www.kodak.com, as well as www.kodaktransforms.com. The slides will also be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an Exhibit to a Form 8-K.

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Eastman Kodak Company (“Kodak” or the “Company”) today announced that Judge Allan L. Gropper of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York has approved initial availability of $650 million in interim Debtor-in-Possession (DIP) financing by Citigroup. Kodak will use these funds, among other things, to pay vendors and other suppliers for all post-petition goods and services, and to operate its day-to-day business activities. The Judge set February 15, 2012 as the date of a hearing to issue the final order regarding first day motions.

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Eastman Kodak Company (“Kodak” or the “Company”) announced today that it and its U.S. subsidiaries filed voluntary petitions for chapter 11 business reorganization in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York.

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Eastman Kodak Company (NYSE:EK) announced today that it has filed a lawsuit against Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., alleging infringement of certain patents related to Kodak digital imaging technology.

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The KODAK Gallery Elite Award winners, representing excellence in the field of wedding and portrait photography, were honored last night by Eastman Kodak Company (NYSE:EK) at the 26th annual KODAK Gallery Elite Awards reception in New Orleans, LA. The awards, judged this year by Helen Yancy, Dennis Craft and Rich Newell, recognize outstanding creativity and skill of wedding and portrait photographers who have also utilized KODAK PROFESSIONAL Products and Services to produce exceptional photographic prints for their clients. Kodak unveiled the KODAK Gallery Elite Award winners at a reception last evening at Imaging USA (I-USA), the annual conference and trade show of the Professional Photographers of America (PPA).

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Eastman Kodak Company (NYSE:EK) announced today that it has filed a lawsuit against Fujifilm Corporation, alleging infringement of certain patents related to Kodak digital imaging technology.

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Add another award to the list for KODAK PROFESSIONAL PORTRA 160 Film. Since its introduction in Feb. 2011, the film, known for its fine grain structure and beautiful skin tones, has racked up numerous industry awards and positive reviews from editors and bloggers worldwide. Professional Photographer gave the latest, the Hot One 2012 award.

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