The VarioPrint 6000 line targets high volume markets and is capable of handling up to 10 million A4 prints per month. Catering to a wide variety of monochrome environments, the series comes in three versions, Standard, TPxp and MICR, which cover different customer market segments including general commercial, book, manual or in-house printing, transactional, and security printing. Each variant is available in multiple speed versions with a facility for temporary or permanent speed upgrades and a choice of paper input and finishing modules.

The Titan presses now run on the Mark 10 version of PrismaSync, Canon’s print server that processes jobs and monitors and controls printer functions. Offering up to eight hours of advanced production planning and scheduling, PrismaSync processes the real-time information to predict necessary operator interventions and allows the remote monitoring of one or multiple presses at a glance.

The TPxp models are designed specifically for direct mail and transactional applications and now benefit from a dedicated TPxp toner, which together with an optional Print Guard Module, provides a higher cohesive strength to increase the durability of prints, important to retain print quality when processed through heavy-duty near-line finishing systems.

All presses in the series are available with temporary or permanent speed licences of 182, 221, 272 and 328 A4 images per minute. Via its DFD interface, the VarioPrint Titan connects with a wide range of standard and heavy-duty finishing equipment, while an optional Light Weight Media kit enables printing on 45 gsm stock.

The VarioPrint 6000 Titan series will be shown on the Canon stand at drupa 2024.

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Mercury has been a user of Kodak’s Prosper inkjet printing technology since 2011, producing up to 10 million pages per day. The firm will use the new 7000 Turbo Press for wide range of print jobs, including educational, trade and children’s books, personalised direct mail, marketing collateral and transactional documents, as well as short- to medium-run packaging requiring variable print.

John Place, CEO of Mercury Print Productions, commented, ‘Our primary goal with this investment is to enhance our production capabilities, improve efficiency and offer our customers a broader range of printing options. We aim to provide faster turnaround times, greater substrate flexibility and capabilities, and consistent print quality across various substrates. We needed another press as we have experienced a significant increase in demand for digitally-printed products as our customers continue to look for solutions that offer offset quality while allowing for the flexibility that inkjet provides. It enables our customers to order what they need, when they need it.’

Christian Schamberger, president, explained Mercury’s renewed decision in favour of Kodak: ‘The Prosper 7000 Turbo Press stood out for its exceptional speed, high-resolution capabilities and versatile substrate compatibility. It aligns perfectly with our commitment to providing our customers with the best possible print quality and options. What’s more, Kodak’s commitment to continuous improvement and investment in inkjet technology aligns with our long-term growth strategy.’

Capable of 410m/min in ‘Turbo mode (600 x 450dpi), equivalent to 5523 US Letter pages per minute, the Prosper 7000 Turbo will increase Mercury’s inkjet capacity by approximately 40-50%.

‘We thank our long-standing customer Mercury Print Productions for their continued confidence in Kodak’s technology and our commitment to innovation. With this latest investment, Mercury takes a major leap forward in digital capacity, production versatility and business opportunities,’ said Jim Continenza, executive chairman and CEO, Kodak. ‘The Prosper 7000 Turbo Press, with its unmatched speed and incredible application range, enables users in wide areas of the commercial and publishing printing markets to print a wide variety of jobs more productively and profitably than ever before.’

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Based in Albens, south-east France, TagG has collaborated with Screen for some time, co-develping IPDS controllers for the web inkjet range in 2017, to complement Screen’s Equios workflow offering. With 115 staff, the company serves over 200 customers in industries such as banking, insurance, healthcare, mail order companies, supermarkets and car manufacturers and is one of Screen’s biggest customers.

‘We chose the two Screen digital printing machines for their speed, high uptime and high print quality, which is comparable to, or even better than that of offset printing, offering TagG’s clients a competitive print-cost ratio,’ said Hervé Lesseur, CEO of TagG Informatique. ‘Additionally, the vibrant colours and sharp details that can be printed on a wide range of paper substrates stood out.’

The Truepress Jet 520HD AD and the 520NX will serve different needs for TagG. The 520HD AD model, which incorporates Screen’s most advanced dryer unit for higher coverage work, can be used for direct mail, while the 520NX better suits transactional print jobs. TagG reports two distinct developments in these markets: direct mail is growing slightly, while the transactional market is shrinking.

Mr Lesseur commented, ‘The decreasing volumes in the transactional market therefore require modern and cost-effective solutions. At the same time, the growing direct mail segment requires more creativity and product innovation, as well as personalised printing with print quality at least matching that of offset printing. This is what TagG has been offering for the past five years with our first Screen Truepress Jet 520HD+.’

The Truepress Jet 520NX features a five-inch printhead module that offers up to 600 x 900dpi resolution and a maximum speed of up to 150m/min. The gap between printheads has been reduced to one-eighth of that in earlier Screen systems to deliver higher quality and more stable printing. The 520NX’s printhead design handles both monochrome and full colour printing, allowing the CYM printheads to be ‘parked’ when printing mono, to reduce ink consumption; an extra printhead can be installed adjacent to the other printheads to handle MICR and other special-purpose inks.

The AD model combines a constant-temperature dryer with heating rollers to deliver a ‘superior’ drying performance in combination with Screen’s SC inks that work on offset coated stocks without pre-processing or primer. Screen says that as a result, energy consumption is minimised and issues with heat, such as excessive drying, are avoided. Further, printing directly to the paper saves time and money and preserves its surface texture.

‘In fact, we’ve achieved a noticeable improvement in colour accuracy and detail, with the new Sscreen presses enhancing the overall impact of TagG’s printed materials. Their print quality is even better than offset: colours are vibrant, details are sharp,’ added Mr Lesseur. He noted also that it was important for Screen’s SC+ ink to be fully compliant with France’s stringent regulations: ‘This certification is crucial for TagG’s sustainability efforts to minimise our carbon footprint. Sscreen was the only manufacturer that could issue such documentation.’

TagG expects that the new investments will enable business growth of 10 – 12% in 2024.

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A process of assessment and due diligence led to FDM identifying the Fusion Cross machines as the right technology to increase productivity and enhance workstream integrity, via greater levels of automation and enhanced reporting.

FDM managing director Richard Farmer commented, ‘For 30 years our clients have trusted us to deliver critical communications on time every time. This investment will benefit existing and new clients through the use of Bowe’s state-of-the-art insertion technology and is the next step on FDM’s journey as a complete document solutions provider, adding to our capacity and further enhancing our automated processes. I am delighted to enter into this important partnership with the Bowe team.’

Launched in 2016, the Fusion Cross is the 24,000 items per hour mid-range version of Bowe’s stable of Fusion Inserters. These machines are customisable and share a patented ‘flow principle’ digital inserting engine design that includes camera reading on sheet input. Camera reading is also provided on two of the four encloser feeders, enabling the production of highly personalised matching applications.

Adrian Mills, Bowe Systec UK account manager said, ‘I am delighted that FDM have identified Bowe Systec as their preferred technology partner of choice to support the strategic direction of the business. Bowe welcomes the opportunity to work in partnership with FDM on operational and commercial support as their needs evolve in securing new contracts to enable the future growth of their business.’

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Based on the existing colour model, the new press is said to be highly efficient and economical. It uses Kyocera’s proprietary inkjet technology and large print heads to enable fast single-pass printing and can be powered from a standard 13A socket, using up to 70% less power than laser-based counterparts.

Martin Fairman, group aales & marketing director at Kyocera UK, said, ‘The TaskAlfa Pro 15000c/B is a robust addition to our production print portfolio and will ensure more customers with high-volume print requirements can get their work done efficiently and at the lowest possible cost. 

‘Sustainability is a crucial consideration for us at Kyocera, and we always want to ensure this philosophy shines through in our products. The TaskAlfa Pro 15000c/B is another significant step forward in this endeavour, as it enables customers to fulfil their print needs without worrying about environmental cost.’

UK customers can benefit from two climate protection initiatives in partnership with PrintReleaf and MyClimate: Kyocera will plant one tree for every 8333 sheets printed on their inkjet device, and carbon offset the production and transportation of the printer plus genuine consumables for its standard rated lifetime. MyClimate invests in international projects assessed by Gold Standard as contributing to carbon reduction and the UN’s sustainable development goals. PrintReleaf is a certified reforestation partner.

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The Two Sides Trend Tracker survey is one of the largest to examine consumer preferences and perceptions of print, paper and paper-based packaging. The research questioned more than 10,000 consumers across 16 countries globally, from South America and the US to South Africa and Europe, providing an assessment of consumer attitudes towards print and paper.

According to Jonathan Tame, managing director of Two Sides Europe, ‘The survey seeks to understand consumer perceptions across a wide range of topics relating to print, paper, paper packaging and tissue products. Having carried out the same research in 2017 and 2021, we are able to assess how these perceptions have changed over time, and have uncovered some interesting trends.’

At the height of the pandemic in 2021, many consumers had shifted from print on paper to the internet and read more on digital devices. This occurred across all categories of communications, including newspapers, magazines, books, catalogues, bills and statements. That trend has reversed, however, with consumer preference for print rising significantly over the past two years.

‘Despite the surge in online media and widespread withdrawal of printed communications during the pandemic, it’s clear that many consumers still value print on paper,’ remarked Mr Tame, adding, ‘especially when reading books and magazines.’

Crunching the numbers

The survey shows that the percentage of European consumers who prefer to read printed books has risen to 65%, up from 53% in 2021. The preference for printed magazines is now 51%, up from 35%. For newspapers and catalogues the upward trend is similar, with print preferences up five percentage points to 31 from 26, and to 33 from 21, respectively. The preference for paper bills rose significantly, doubling from 19% to 38%, and the preference for printed personal health information rose from 29% to 39%.

The survey also sought opinion on the advantages of reading in print. This revealed that more than half (52%) agreed or strongly agreed with the statement ‘I think children and students learn more when reading printed rather than digital books and course materials,’ compared to just 16% who disagreed or strongly disagreed. 45% agreed or strongly agreed with the statement ‘I get a better understanding of the story when reading news in print rather than online,’ compared to 28% who disagreed or strongly disagreed.

‘This survey reveals a number of fascinating facts about print and the many advantages it has for consumers,’ said Mr Tame. ‘As we complete our analysis of all topics covered by the study, including packaging and the environment, we’ll be sharing even more insights for the print and paper-based packaging industry.’

An executive summary of the Trend Tracker Survey 2023 will be published in June and available to industry stakeholders on request. The complete survey data broken down by country, age and gender is available to Two Sides members only or available to purchase.

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Over the years, Hunkeler’s eponymous Innovationdays event has become an important platform for the continuous feed digital printing industry to coalesce around, attracting all the major press manufacturers as well as a variety of software developers, and providing a highly focused gathering for this part of the digital printing industry.

Almost 100 partners will also present their latest products in all areas of digital printing and processing in Halls 1 and 2 at the Messe Luzern. These partners include all the major manufacturers of printing and finishing systems, software developers and providers of finishing materials and consumables. As in previous years, many of the exhibitors will use the event to offer a European or global premiere of their latest innovations. A selection of these is listed below.

Exhibitor highlights

Mailroom automation for transactional print and direct mail will be the focus of the Bowe Systec stand, with a particular focus on the Fusion Speed inserting system, which will have its first ever live demonstration in Lucerne. The inserter can process up to 30,000 envelopes per hour and will be demonstrated in conjunction with Bowe’s Boxit system for automatic filling of postal trays. The company will also explain how upstream and downstream stages can be streamlined as part of an end-to-end automation concept.

Canon is playing its cards close to its chest but has promised two product news announcements at the event which ‘build on Canon’s expertise in inkjet’. Topics to be discussed also include the company’s strategy and how technology and business innovation can be harnessed together help ‘future-proof’ PSPs’ operations; the focus will be on publishing, promotion and business communications.

Another premiere at Innovationdays will be on HP’s stand, where the recently-launched PageWide Advantage 2200 digital web press will make it first European appearance. During the four days of the event, HP will be printing different applications such as postcards, leaflets, catalogues and books on a variety of substrates on the 150m/min press. In addition, the US company will showcase automation and services solutions.

Hybrid Software Group will feature its technologies for industrial print manufacturing processes which use inkjet and other printing techniques, showcasing all its brands covering the full stack of core technologies needed for inkjet. These include colour management, high-speed Digital Front Ends and Rips, pre-press software for labels and packaging and printhead drive electronics. All the group brands will be represented: ColorLogic; Global Graphics Software; Hybrid Software; iC3D; Meteor Inkjet and Xitron.

Converting and high quality embellishment will be the theme of the Kama stand, which will feature the Servo generation of the ProCut 76 Foil. The machine suits a range of applications from die-cutting, creasing and perforating to embellishment with hot foil, hologram and relief for commercial jobs and folding cartons. It will be shown with the AutoRegister AR3, which uses two cameras to bring each sheet into position at full speed.

Kern will present the new Kern 3200 Flash, a modular multi-format inserting system designed for flexible and complex inserting jobs in the medium- to high-output range. Different configuration options make it suitable for use in transactional and direct mail. A newly-developed inserting module is said to be the only system in this performance class that can be equipped with more than one envelope magazine, allowing the system to process different envelopes job by job, without the operator having to make a physical change. The 3200 Flash can be combined with a choice of modules, including roll and single sheet feeding. It is also possible to integrate up to 16 inserting stations.

Kodak’s Prosper Ultra 520 will get its first European showing

Another European first will be the Prosper Ultra 520 web press from Kodak. To be shown with a Hunkeler unwinder and rewinder, along with the Hunkeler WI8 web inspection system, the press will print live three versions of a ‘magalog’ (blend of magazine and catalogue) with different editorial and marketing content. The application will demonstrate the Ultra 520’s ability to print heavy ink coverage on standard offset paper at 150m/min. Other finished samples from the Ultra 520 and from the Prosper 7000 Turbo press, which runs at up to 410m/min, will also be presented, along with Kodak’s Prinergy On Demand workflow software.

Kyocera will feature its TaskAlfa Pro 15000C sheet-fed inkjet press, with a focus on its sustainability credentials, productivity, output quality and media flexibility. One-to-one demonstrations are being offered. More information may also be available about the graphic-arts focused version that is understood to be in development.

Another world first in Lucerne is the arrival of the Prinova Digital Saddle stitcher from Müller Martini. The highly automated 9000 cycles per hour unit supports both digital and hybrid print production and brings Müller’s Smart Factory concept to magazines, brochures and catalogues. Developments to the Vareo Pro perfect binding line will also be shown, including a mixed mode that allows softcover books and hardcover book blocks to be produced in the same run, complemented by a new de-stacker and sorting for subsequent InfiniTrim cutting. A variety of live jobs, including all-digital and hybrid printed products, will be featured, along with the supporting Connex workflow.

Workflow developer OneVision will explain how its software allows for ‘a complete integration of company processes’ by being configured to suit existing systems. The modular middleware can automate the production process from file input through printing and embellishment and finishing, while connecting to existing print and finishing hardware and software such as MIS or ERP.

Ricoh will be making the first public showing of its Pro VC70000e inkjet press that includes a number of hardware and software features and updates which collectively increase ease of use through automation, while providing greater media and applications flexibility via pre-coating. This will be complemented by the introduction of TotalFlow Producer, which the company describes as a ‘vendor agnostic automated job onboarding solution’. The new workflow software designed to automate job intake and consolidation from multiple sources, to run automatic pre-flighting and to support personalised job upload and status portals for print clients.

Riso will feature its newest additions to the SRA3 Valezus sheet-fed inkjet line, which are targeted at production print job demands that are difficult to handle efficiently on continuous-feed presses. The twin-engined Valezus T2200 is capable of duplex printing at 330ppm. The single-engine Valezus T1200 is aimed at both short and long-run full-colour transactional printing at 165ppm. Both are equipped with feeder/stacker units for a maximum capacity of 8000 sheets on the T2200, and half that on the T2100. Both models support uncoated papers only, from 46 to 210gsm.

The Smart High Definition technology from Scodix will appear in the premiere of the Ultra 6000 embellishment press

Also making a first European appearance will be the Ultra 6000 digital embellishment press from Scodix with SHD (smart high definition) capability. It will be used to demonstrate embellishment of B1 and B2 sheets for a variety of book covers, from paperbacks to high-end jackets and Scodix says it embodies the economics and productivity to replace analogue embellishment technology whilst offering publishers greater flexibility. Examples of the SHD technology will also be shown.

Staff from Solimar Systems will demonstrate how its workflow-enhancing post-composition solutions support production printing on both cut-sheet and continuous feed devices, finishing, mailing, e-delivery and document archiving. The company is partnering with HP to show how direct mailers can save significant sums and with Screen to demonstrate dashboard tracking of incoming work and device-level ink and media consumption reporting via Screen’s Equios workflow.

W+D will use the event to launch its new BB820+, a new flagship inserter which the company says allows for the widest range of direct mail sizes, from C6 envelopes up to B4 flat packages up to 15mm thick, and which can insert at up to 20,000 piece per hour, 25% faster than the model it replaces. The new machine comes with a new rotary feeder for consistent feeding at the higher speeds and an additional servo axis for flexible and size-dependent motion control of collating track, envelope gripper transport andinsert finger.

Short-run book printing using the Sirius dry toner technology will form a major part of the Xeikon exhibit, centred on the roll-fed duplex Xeikon SX30000 press, which is also getting its first public European showing. Three high-end applications will be shown – a coffee-table travel book, a full colour tourist guide and a highly illustrated book on architecture. The SX30000 roll-fed press will be running in line with a Hunkeler Gen8 roll-to-stack solution, producing book blocks which to be bound on an offline Muller Martini Vareo Pro with InfiniTrim.

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The DS-77 iQ is described as having a compact footprint and features Internal Contact Image Sensor (CIS) scanning technology, reading and sorting capabilities. The inserter processes a wide variety of mail, from transactional documents to marketing applications of different shapes and sizes. The machine has a 7-inch colour touch screen that prompts the operator through each step of the process. Via built-in wireless and wired network capabilities, the DS-77 iQ can connect to an organisation’s network for remote diagnostics and assistance.

The DS-77 iQ is compatible with Docsecure by Quadient software, a new cloud-based solution accessible from a web browser that tracks and records the folding and inserting process to ensure all documents are in the right envelope and the job is complete. Developed specifically to manage mailings containing sensitive or personally identifiable information, such as account statements or contracts, Docsecure supports a variety of globally recognised standards, regulations and compliance business requirements, including SOC 2 Type 2, HIPA, GDPR and GLBA.

The launch of the DS-77iQ and Docsecure software is part of an ongoing investment by Quadient in its intelligent mail and shipping solutions and follows the introduction of the DS-700 iQ folder inserter for high volume mail operations. The Docsecure solution is also compatible with Quadient’s Impress Automate outbound document automation cloud-based software.

‘The launch of two intelligent mailroom solutions that fully automate processes underscores Quadient’s commitment to provide our customers witheasy-to-use mailing software and hardware that helps companies of all sizes keep pace with the demands of today’s market;  said Alain Fairise, chief solution officer, Mail Related Solutions, Quadient. ‘When paired together, the DS-77iQ and docsecure by Quadient significantly enhance the integrity and security of the mail outreach process, generate reports to prove compliance, and provide deep visibility into every job.’

The DS-77 iQ and Socsecure by Quadient is now available in Europe and will be available in the US and Canada in the coming months.

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The new division came about after the collapse of YM Group in Q4 in 2021, which left many customers in the lurch. EDWPS specialises in direct and transactional mail, digital print, web-to-print and hybrid mail for a range of sectors including healthcare, pharmaceutical, retail, education, financial services, travel and leisure.

EDWPS managing director Lance Hill said, ‘Last autumn a lot of YM customers were let down, and our Eight Plus offering evolved from that. We’re a financially sound business and there was definitely an appetite from customers, and an opportunity for us to give them a Plan B.

‘We have a good, solid supply chain in the UK and Europe. We’ve been very selective and we’re working with customers who want to work with an expert partner who can add value. I’ve seen the good, the bad, and the ugly. We deal with PM companies that are like-minded businesses – that treat suppliers well and pay on time. We want to be that same type of partner.’

The company, which already outsources its web- and sheet-fed litho work to complement its digital offering, has invested in the £120,000 MS Series 12 Envelope Inserter from Polish manufacturer Mailing System. It is the first to be installed at a UK print operation, and was supplied via VPTS.

Mr Hill added, ‘It has inline folding and will probably double the speed of what we currently have. It’s programmatic and takes out a process, it can take an A4 and fold it to DL or A5, and enclose it in one operation.’

VPTS director Kevin Druce said, ‘We are the exclusive agents in the UK for Mailing System equipment, their owner Przemek Lesniewski is very passionate about his equipment and a great innovator. We are very pleased that EDWPS have gone with this machine and our longstanding relationship continues as we will service and offer support with this, along with their other folding and enclosing machines.’

Mr Hill claims the firm is likely to break the £10 million sales barrier this year thanks to growth from Eight Plus.

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Based on Kodak’s Stream continuous flow inkjet technology used in the existing Prosper 6000 line, the new machine offers three speed/resolutions settings: Quality at 600 x 900dpi, 200m/min with near-200lpi screen equivalent; performance at 600 x 600dpi (300m/min, 133lpi-equivalent) and Turbo which prints at 600 x 450dpi at the maximum rated speed with an 85-100lpi-equivalent screen. Supported stocks from 42 to 270gsm are supported with web width between 203–648mm and a maximum 621mm printable width, achieved via six jetting modules per colour station.

The Prosper 7000 Turbo runs Kodak’s water-based nanoparticulate pigment inks which work with inkjet coated papers, newsprint and recycled papers, and via an optional primer, with coated types. Eight NIR (near infra red) drying stations allow for high coverage at high speed. The press is rated for more than 200 million A4 pages per month and 24/7 operation.

Speaking at the launch event at Kodak’s manufacturing site in Dayton, Ohio, USA, senior vice president, print Randy Vandagriff observed that the company was seeing a shift from cut-sheet to roll-fed production, possibly driven by unwillingness of paper mills to bear the costs of sheeting and packing in the current environment, and said that the Prosper 7000 Turbo ‘does everything the 6000 did, but goes faster’. He also noted that the primer approach was a more pragmatic solution than being dependent on supply of specific ‘digital’ grades of paper and reported that customers attending the open days had expressed interest in potential commercial print applications for the press in addition to the transactional/transpromo, newsprint and direct mail ones demonstrated.

Jim Continenza, executive chairman and CEO said, ‘With the introduction of the Prosper 7000 Turbo press, Kodak once again leads the way to the future of inkjet production printing. Providing unmatched speed and an enormous range of applications, our new top model in the Kodak Prosper Press family sets innovative standards for digital commercial, publishing and newspaper printing.’

Mr Continenza also told Digital Printer that customers had expressed interest in the combination of the Prosper 7000 and the Ascend packaging/PoP press for book production launched last year, with inners produced on the inkjet and covers on the toner machine, taking advantage of its quality, long sheet and fifth-colour capabilities. He also noted that interest was also shown in a potential mono version of the Prosper; while there are no definite plans to produce one, it was something he said Kodak would think about seriously.

The Prosper 7000 Turbo is available immediately.

Kodak will be the subject of a special Supplier Insight report in the next issue of Digital Printer. If you don’t already receive it, you can register for free here.

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