Kodak Nexpress Dimensional Printing System transforms images you can feel

Available as part of the Kodak Nexpress fifth Imaging Unit Solutions, Dimensional Printing gives specified text and images a raised or 3D effect that can deliver higher impact photo press products. The result is a printed piece where images can have a dimensional feel that mimics the surface of the items in the image. For example, an image of an orange takes on the actual feel of a real orange.

“Photo service providers always look for something unique that will help them differentiate themselves from their competitors, and in the world of digital printing, this is more important than ever,” said Kevin Joyce, Worldwide Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Digital Printing Solutions, Kodak. “We have seen some exciting projects and innovative applications already.”

As an example, Kodak showcased at PMA 09 a photobook of commemorative photographs from the inauguration of President Obama. The book incorporates Dimensional Printing to maximize the realistic look and feel of various images and graphics.

Dimensional Printing starts when the user loads Kodak Nexpress Dimensional Clear Dry Ink into the Fifth Imaging Unit of a Nexpress Digital Production Color Press. Nexpress Dimensional Clear Dry Ink creates a clear “raised” layer on top of a page element and can be used to enhance graphics, text, or a full color image. Dimensional Printing takes place inline, maintaining press productivity while creating high impact results.

The overall tactile effect is similar to relief printing, but with a greater degree of control—Dimensional Printing can be set to produce variable heights, so a user can more closely mimic the texture of a specific image. And in contrast to thermography, which can only be applied to ink, Nexpress Dimensional Clear Dry Ink does not require ink or an image to adhere to the substrate.

“The real value for photo service providers is the ability of Dimensional Printing to add greater value to photo press products, which can open the door to higher margin opportunities,” added Joyce.

Dimensional Clear Dry Ink works with a wide range of substrates that Nexpress Digital Production Color Presses support to further expand the applications that can be digitally produced. Raised text or graphics can be placed on materials such as photobooks, calendars, greeting cards, invitations, collateral, business cards, certificates or direct mail. Like all Kodak Nexpress Fifth Imaging Unit Solutions, Dimensional Printing creates prints that are recyclable. Dimensional Printing does not require any special de-inking and uses no volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Dimensional Printing is now available for shipment worldwide.

In addition to Dimensional Printing, Kodak NexpressFifth Imaging Unit Solutions rely on press profiling and standard inks to match up to 82 percent of the Pantone spot color gamut with no custom mixing required.