Kodak cashes in with imprinting orders

Kodak (Hall 5, stand F1) has signed substantial, multi-million euro imprinting deals with two printing companies at drupa.

UK-based Anton Group placed an order on 6 May for two NexPresses and 14 S5 printheads. The installations are expected to take place within two months.

The printheads will be integrated on to Heidelberg Cutstar sheeters, which Kodak said would allow Anton "to print high-quality variable data inline at full engine speed on a litho press for direct mail applications".

Anton chief executive John Knight said his company was excited to be expanding hybrid printing operations.

"It is totally game-changing – waste savings are 20% on any one job. Speeds to market are mammoth – it cuts out all other processes," he said.

The NexPresses will include a fifth imaging unit and the latest neon, metallic and pearlescent inks, the company added.

The Anton deal came two days after Melter Mail Service in Germany ordered eight Kodak Prosper S10 imprinting systems with CMYK.

The systems will be assigned to a web finishing line and will allow variable information to be imprinted in full colour at up to 305m/min, according to Kodak. They are due to start production in September. Melter Mail Service chief executive Hans-Jürgen Melter said the imprinting systems meant his company could offer "new, high-impact options for full-colour, high-speed personalisation".

"When we decided in favour of the Prosper S10 for printing for-colour personalised products, it was the system’s high quality, simplicity and versatility that ultimately tipped the scales," he added.