Kodak has launched new Kodachrome inks for its Ultrastream continuous inkjet technology.

The manufacturer said the inks will play a major role in helping the new Prosper Ultra 520 press, which utilises Ultrastream technology, to deliver “outstanding offset-quality print at high speeds covering a broad range of applications”.

“The secret lies in Kodak’s proprietary pigment micro-milling process, which creates pigment particles that are typically less than 50 nanometres with a very narrow size distribution. Competitive pigment milling processes cannot approach these levels,” Kodak stated.

“The finer pigments created by this unique process result in faster ink drying times and very thin dried ink layers. This means less scattering of light, richer and purer colours with extraordinary vibrancy, and an exceptionally wide colour gamut without sacrificing image permanence.”

Kodachrome inks are said to produce a 95% larger gamut volume than SWOP (web offset) and a 39% larger gamut than GRACoL (sheetfed offset). Because these properties mean the inks require less laydown to achieve “outstanding colours”, they help reduce the running costs of the inkjet press, Kodak added.

The water-based, low-humectant Kodachrome inks are more sustainable than conventional solvent-based inks, and do not contain PVC or phthalates.

Together with Kodak’s proprietary range of printable water-based optimiser agents (primers), the company said the new inks can be used for printing “on practically any substrate”. The optimiser agents improve ink receptivity, ink adhesion, rub resistance, and image quality on most types of paper, plastic, and film.

“Kodachrome inks, together with our high-speed Ultrastream inkjet technology and optimiser agents, create efficient digital solutions for cost-effective printing of a broad range of applications,” said Jim Continenza, executive chairman and CEO at Kodak.

“This enables customers to shift more work from traditional printing processes such as offset to digital, opening up new opportunities for increased revenue and profits.”

Kodak showed its Prosper Ultra 520 inkjet web for the first time in Europe at Hunkeler Innovationdays earlier this year, while last week it revealed its acquisition of key supplier Graphic Systems Services (GSS), which makes transport systems for inkjet web presses and provides a range of bespoke services.

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