Dayton, OH, USA – Kodak today further expanded its footprint in the folding carton market by announcing the world’s first installation of a KODAK PROSPER 6000S simplex color inkjet web press for packaging applications at Zumbiel Digital.

Based in Hebron, Kentucky, USA, Zumbiel – one of the country’s largest independent paperboard packaging companies – provides a range of packaging solutions to clients in the food, beverage and healthcare markets. A need for greater production capacity as well as better digital capabilities led to the company ultimately investing in the PROSPER 6000S.

Ed Zumbiel, President, Zumbiel Digital, explains: “Our customers are running more and more marketing campaigns requiring mass versioning, but have not been able to include paperboard in the mix due to digital’s high cost and low output. We therefore needed to find a digital technology with production capacity and print quality that would be suitable for market-leading brands. After evaluating several technologies, we opted to work with Kodak to create a truly hybrid solution that 100% caters to our customers’ needs.”

Zumbiel Digital’s unique hybrid configuration of the PROSPER 6000S press incorporates in-line die cutting and seven in-line flexo towers for pre-coating, application of PMS colors, backside printing and overprint varnish.

The PROSPER 6000S simplex color inkjet web press delivers up to 12,000 B1 sheets per hour, with a print quality of 600 x 900 dpi at speeds of up to 200 m/min (656 ft/min). It offers print widths of 204mm to 647mm (8 inches – 25.5 inches), and can handle paper-based substrates, including labels, carton and PE coated paper, of 150 gsm – 380 gsm. The press utilizes Kodak’s nanoparticulate pigment CMYK inks that are compliant with Indirect Food Contact Safety regulations.

“The unmatched economy and throughput of the PROSPER 6000S-based hybrid press will allow Zumbiel Digital to take mass-customization of paperboard packaging from niche to mainstream,” comments Donald Allred, Worldwide Director of Packaging Sales & Marketing, Enterprise Inkjet Systems Division, Kodak. “The PROSPER 6000S is especially ideal for mass versioning of beverage carriers, pharmaceutical cartons, paper cups and food packaging. As it can be installed as a standalone device or integrated into a current production line, packaging service providers will benefit from a truly hybrid digital production device that promises to broaden their service offering with high quality digital printing capabilities at production speeds.”