There were many pioneers in the inkjet printing field. One of the earliest companies to see the potential for digital printing was the Eastman Kodak Company, who saw opportunities in the direct mail space. Today, Kodak has inkjet presses covering the gamut of printing, with award-winning inks to go with them.

Looking back, Kodak’s history of innovation in inkjet goes back more than five decades.

“Starting in 1967, Kodak produced dye-based inks for early generation CIJ and DOD printheads for narrow width formats for variable printing of transactional, direct mail, letter solicitation applications, printing at 300 meters per minute,” said Randy Vandagriff, SVP print for Kodak.

“Kodak followed with breakthroughs in full-page, 4-color transactional printing in the 1990s; high speed full color book, newspaper, and direct mail printing with its third generation PROSPER technology, using nano particulate, water-based inks that deliver superb print quality, brilliant colors, and performance on a wide range of substrates.”

Kodak leverages its expertise in creating the inkjet inks and optimizer primers in a wide range of black & white and color imprinting heads and full width printing systems, including offerings in its KODAK Stream and ULTRASTREAM Inkjet Technology product lines.

Now, Kodak is in numerous markets, including commercial print, direct mail, publishing, personal care and packaging markets.
One of the keys to Kodak’s success is its inks. Vandagriff noted that Kodak’s unique strengths in material science and chemistry provide a deep understanding of the colorants, humectants, and other components that are used in inkjet inks and optimizer fluids.

“KODAK Stream and ULTRASTREAM Inkjet Technologies are proprietary continuous inkjet (CIJ) writing systems built to deliver exceptional quality and industry-leading speed,” added Vandagriff. “Kodak printheads have precise silicon nozzles that incorporate the latest industry advances in microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology, along with unique deflection systems for precise drop control.

“Kodak’s strategy in using primers to optimize inks performance on challenging substrates enables print converters to deliver on the quality and performance their applications require, at significantly higher print speeds than other inkjet technologies in the market,” Vandagriff noted.

Vandagriff observed that sustainability and R&D are key emphasis for Kodak.

“Kodak’s water-based inks are more sustainable than conventional solvent-based inks. They don’t contain PVC or phthalates, making them safer for printers, consumers and the environment. Because the inks are water-based, no harsh chemicals are required for clean-up. This keeps potentially harmful substances out of waste streams and water supply.”

Kodak is committed to investing in R&D to meet the evolving needs of printers.

“We listen to our customers and focus on addressing their challenges,” Vandagriff said. “From offset to digital, we offer a portfolio of cutting-edge products and solutions that will help our customers say productive and profitable. We also offer world-class support tailored to our customers’ specific needs, to keep their processes and presses running at full capacity.”

Recent introductions from Kodak’s R&D team included the KODAK PROSPER QD Packaging Inks, which have been recognized with a 2020 InterTech Technology Award for innovation.

“The QD Packaging Inks are revolutionary in enabling high speed, high quality and low consumable costs on films and plastics for flexible packaging production,” said Vandagriff. “Another advance was the commercial launch of KODAK PROSPER Personal Care Inks for printing on nonwoven substrates which have been tested in the market for consumer safety and are qualified for direct skin contact.

“Kodak continues to explore applications, such as home décor flooring, wallpapers, counter tops, where our inkjet printing inks and primers provide excellent print quality and are compatible with post print processes, such as lamination and post coating, to meet market requirements for durability,” Vandagriff added.

Vandagriff said that Kodak is looking forward to further growth in the world of digital printing.

“With less than 4% of the over 52 trillion pages produced digitally, Kodak envisions a future of high growth for digital printing, as the trends and pressures for economical short runs, more personalization, faster speed to market, less waste and sustainability will continue at a brisk pace,” said Vandagriff. “Digital capabilities will increase in speed, economics and performance and will continue to scale to meet those requirements.

“Another driver for the switch to digital will be the ability to mitigate risks posed by supply chain issues and increasing prices for energy, aluminium and other raw materials which impact offset plates and conventional printing processes. Kodak expects to be at the forefront of advancing inkjet technology and to play a significant role in establishing digital as a valuable complement to offset printing in many applications.”

Kodak
343 State Street
Rochester, NY 14650
USA
www.kodak.com
 
Specialties: Digital printing presses and inks.