Ryobi 750 offset presses can now integrate Kodak Prosper S5 inkjet heads into the sheetfed press system.

The technology partnership will allow sheetfed jobs with variable information to be printed in a single pass, eliminating the costly and time-consuming need to use laser printers, according to Kodak.

Kodak customer marketing director Gudrun Alex told Drupa Report Daily the deal had been signed at drupa after a year of negotiations.

She said the hybrid press was best suited to direct mail and certain segments of folding carton.

Hybrid printing produces "faster job turnaround times, lower costs and higher productivity for imprinting applications when compared to sheetfed laser printing", the company said. The hybrid press can print up to 10,000 sheets per hour and has an optional inline varnish station.

"The varnish option is valuable to direct mail printers because it enables a true print-and-ship capability, which leads to faster time to mail, invoicing and payment. Direct mailers will also benefit from new opportunities made possible by the Ryobi 750 series’ ability to run B2 size sheets, which today cannot be post-printed with laser systems," said Alex.

She added that interested parties should ask their Ryobi dealer to install Kodak imprinting systems.

She said customers had shown "lots of interest" at Drupa about retrofitting their existing presses.

Ryobi divisional general manager Hideki Domoto called the deal a milestone in the two companies’ histories.

"Kodak provides unique capabilities in the sheetfed hybrid market, offering our customers new and expanded capabilities," he said.