Feb 22 2010
Eastman Kodak Company (NYSE: EK) today introduced new software and papers to help retailers, photofinishers and professional labs manage and create premium output, while protecting current investments. The solutions -- which enable everything from premium photo books and postcards to high-end commercial prints -- share common themes of increasing workflow efficiency, maximizing current investments and most importantly, trusted Kodak quality.
"In this environment, savvy retailers, photofinishers and professional labs look for solutions that marry quality and value, to ensure they don't sacrifice quality for price," said Steven Decker, General Manager, Film, Paper and Output Systems, and Vice President, Film, Photofinishing and Entertainment Group, Eastman Kodak Company. "With these new products, our customers can confidently offer consistent, high-quality premium output to their consumers, ranging from moms to professional photographers to global brands, and do so in a cost-effective, efficient way. We can achieve this consistency, quality and innovation, and will continue to do so, by leveraging Kodak assets, technologies and expertise to bring new products and solutions to all relevant markets."
KODAK Photo Book Paper: Kodak's new thin, E-surface (Lustre) paper responds to a market need from wholesale labs & retailers who seek the trusted Kodak quality but require a thinner paper for mass production workflow environment. The paper, at 6.2 mils thickness with no back-print, is much thinner than standard consumer papers and is ideal for photo books, album covers and postcards. KODAK Photo Book Paper, optimized for use in both digital and optical labs, creates long-lasting prints with bold vibrant colors.
KODAK Creative Production Software v4: Kodak's powerful system- agnostic workflow software is designed specifically for the photo-specialty retailer. The easy-to-use, flexible creative tool enables a higher level of customer service and value-added product differentiation, with minimal investment.
In KODAK Creative Production Software v4, Kodak expands photo book features and enables two-sided greeting cards and prints of any size. The new version also streamlines back-end functions, such as software and background updates, as well as pricing modifications, to make employees more efficient. Like earlier versions, KODAK Creative Production Software v4 works with any input and output systems, so photo-specialty retailers can install and use it, leveraging current systems.
KODAK PROFESSIONAL Digital Print Production Software (DP2) v 12: The latest version of DP2, Kodak's market leading central lab software, highlights Kodak's ongoing commitment to drive increased productivity, improved image quality, and expand the portfolio of offerings through professional labs. First introduced 10 years ago, this stalwart in professional labs helps to continually identify and incorporate new category offerings through flexible design, and efficient rendering and producing of any output.
Specific enhancements in DP2 v12 include differentiated digital effects and composites, which help pro labs and photographers offer the most compelling products; enhanced workflow, such as DIGILABS PDFs and improved KODAK NEXPRESS interface, to help expand business through Press and Photo Gifting products; and productivity enhancements like output monitoring, RIMAGE interface and composites printed with packages, to ensure optimum production.
In addition to these new products, Kodak also announced the commercial availability of the following papers:
KODAK ROYAL Luminous Digital Paper: Kodak's new consumer paper provides a high gloss, iridescent surface, and offers retailers a way to differentiate their photographic offerings. The paper, compatible with shorter processing cycles, is optimized for digital and optical printing, and creates stunning photographs with bold, bright colors. ROYAL Luminous Digital Paper combines a distinctive gold backprint with a heavier weight than traditional consumer papers for a premium look and feel. Product availability varies by region, beginning in Q2 of 2010.
KODAK PROFESSIONAL ULTRA ENDURA High Definition Paper: Kodak's new professional paper, with itfs high gloss, iridescent surface, extends the ULTRA Paper family to include a high-contrast premium photographic paper designed for commercial applications. The paper, which comes in widths up to 50", boasts a thick base (10.4 mil) for a premium feel. Optimized for both digital and optical printing, the paper creates intense blacks, as well as an extended color gamut for rich colors and attractive flesh tones. Also, because the paper is non-backprinted, it maximizes both the placement and method by which it can be displayed. Product availability varies by region, beginning in Q2 of 2010.