Newspaper publisher looks to boost productivity and quality

ROCHESTER, N.Y., April 11—Lee Enterprises Inc. is adding five KODAK TRENDSETTER NEWS 50 Thermal Platesetters, along with KODAK PF-N Non Process Plates, KODAK PRINERGY EVO Workflow System, KODAK PREPS Imposition Software and KODAK STACCATO Screening, in a move to improve quality and increase output at production facilities across the United States. Newspapers involved in this round of upgrades at Lee include the Arizona Daily Sun in Flagstaff, Ariz., Freemont Tribune in Freemont, Neb., Hanford Sentinel in Hanford, Calif., and Montana Standard in Butte, Mont.

“We are buying more KODAK CTP Devices because we’ve been having a good experience along the way with KODAK Equipment,” said Brian Kardell, VP of Production and Chief Information Officer, Lee Enterprises Inc. These four new locations bring the total to 23 Lee facilities that have installed KODAK TRENDSETTER NEWS Platesetters since the start of last year.

“We’ve tested the KODAK Non Process Plates and have had no issues. It’s been very successful,” Kardell said.

Lee Enterprises is the fourth largest newspaper publisher in America in terms of dailies owned. Lee Enterprises publishes 56 dailies and more than 300 weeklies, classified and specialty publications across 23 states. Based in Davenport, Iowa, Lee’s newspapers have a combined daily circulation of 1.6 million and 1.9 million on Sundays, while its weekly publications reach 4.5 million households.

The TRENDSETTER NEWS Thermal CTP Device comes in five models, ranging in speed from 60 to more than 240 plates per hour to suit newspaper printing facilities of all sizes. The KODAK TRENDSETTER NEWS Platesetter delivers fast, reliable imaging with a standard file format interface for newspaper production systems. It is available with semi automatic or fully automated plate loading and unloading. The machine to machine accuracy of the KODAK SQUARESPOT Thermal Imaging Heads, combined with the binary nature of thermal imaging, achieves consistent and repeatable halftone dot structures.

KODAK PF-N Non Process Plates are processless thermal plates for newspapers. Compatible with all popular thermal CTP platesetters, the plates provide high quality, consistent imaging performance and easy handling. They develop on press, shortening the platemaking cycle and getting jobs to press more quickly. In addition, the plates eliminate the purchased and maintenance costs associated with plate processors and developer chemistry, while also reducing water usage

The KODAK PRINERGY EVO Workflow System helps newspapers deal with last minute changes easily, without causing delays. Based on the latest standards and proven technology, PRINERGY EVO Software delivers exceptional PDF processing capabilities. A flexible PDF workflow featuring proven color management, late stage editing and imposition, and advanced screening options to optimize output on TRENDSETTER NEWS CTP Devices. The PRINERGY EVO System helps deliver the end to end automation, speed, control, and flexibility that newspapers need to accommodate tight editorial and ad deadlines, and output large numbers of pages quickly.

KODAK STACCATO Screening produces high fidelity, artifact free images that exhibit fine detail and more impactful color in newspapers. STACCATO Screening creates images without halftone rosettes, screening moiré, gray level limitations, or abrupt jumps in tone—with no impact on RIPing or rendering time. KODAK SQUARESPOT Imaging Technology enables the fine dot structure of STACCATO Screening to be a reliable and practical solution for newspaper printing and an effective competitive edge for publishers.

KODAK PREPS Imposition Software supports POSTSCRIPT, PDF, EPS, DCS and TIFF source files. It works with all  KODAK and many major third party workflow systems. PREPS Imposition Software helps prepress professionals remove even more manual steps from their preferred workflow by providing digital imposition. PREPS Software enhances production efficiency by integrating more thoroughly with various workflows and accepting more than 200 types of file inputs. PREPS Imposition Software also enhances prepress efficiency and enables postpress reliability by automatically generating bar codes that can be read by WST and  MULLER MARTINI  Bar Code Readers.

KODAK Products are backed by KODAK Service and Support. KODAK Service and Support is made up of more than 3,000 professionals reaching more than 120 countries. It is a leading multi-vendor integrated services provider, delivering consulting, installation, maintenance and support services for the commercial printing, graphic communications, document imaging and data storage industries. KODAK Service and Support professionals are uniquely qualified to provide services that control costs, maximize productivity, and minimize business risk.

About Kodak

As the world's foremost imaging innovator, Kodak helps consumers, businesses, and creative professionals unleash the power of pictures and printing to enrich their lives.

To learn more, visit www.kodak.com, and our blogs: 1000words.kodak.com, and 1000nerds.kodak.com.

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For more information about Kodak's Graphic Communications Group, visit www.graphics.kodak.com. For downloading photos and videos from Kodak's image library, visit: http://graphics.kodak.com/gcgimages.

(Kodak, Trendsetter News, SquareSpot, Prinergy Evo, Staccato and Preps are trademarks of Eastman Kodak Company.)

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