Kodak Announces Multiple Innovations From Software to Digital Press

In a press conference with printing industry and analysts on October 6, 2021, Kodak announced its new ASCEND Digital Press, electrophotographic (EP) press designed to print heavy weight substrates at long lengths with eye-catching, high-margin CMYK and flat foil embellishments in one pass. The new press will be available Q2 2022 in North America and Europe. Pre-orders are being taken now.

Credit: Kodak

Designed to more flexible than traditional presses and more productive than flatbed inkjet systems, the KODAK ASCEND Digital Press delivers production speeds up to 572 sqm/hour (5280 sqft/hour). Jeff Perkins, vice president of sales digital and ink jet products, U.S. and Canada, at Kodak, noted that the ASCEND’s large sheet length of up to 48”x14”, which is 23% more print area than a B2 sheet, makes the press a good fit for retail and point-of-purchase printing applications.

Diego Diaz of Kodak’s digital printing division, noted that the ASCEND is a duplex press that is capable of manual duplex even with heavier boards and larger sheet sizes.

In response to print service providers’ and brands’ demand for eco-efficient printing, the new press uses KODACHROME Dry Inks, which the company says are environmentally friendly. Perkins also noted that KODACHROME Dry Inks are indirect food contact rated. Diaz said one of the strongest points of the press is the de-inkability. Perkins added that specific Pantone colors can be made for customer use.

Finally, Diaz emphasized the importance of the press being able to both print and finish in one pass. He noted that the ASCEND printing and finishing process delivers better registration than multi-pass process because there’s less sheet shrinkage.

Other announcements include the debut of KODAK PRINERGY On Demand Access, which Kodak noted makes the company's software more affordable for small- to mid-size printers.

The new SaaS solution, available in Qa 2022, is expected to provide full connectivity to digital presses, Microsoft Azure-backed security and the scalability the PRINERGY On Demand Platform is known for. PRINERGY On Demand Access includes preflight, color management, file management, backup, and routing as well as built-in KODAK INSITE Prepress Portal functionality for file submission, remote customer collaboration and online approvals.