The industry’s broadest portfolio of GRACoL (General Requirements for Applications in Commercial Offset Lithography) and SWOP (Specifications for Web Offset Publications) certified proofing solutions from Kodak continues to expand.

The KODAK MATCHPRINT Inkjet Proofing Solution has received IDEAlliance’s GRACoL Coated #1 certification for the HP Z2100 Photo Printer.  This latest certification provides customers with further confidence that Kodak’s proofing solutions deliver optimal performance and predictability as measured by industry standards, guidelines and benchmarks.IDEAlliance’s recently launched GRACoL and SWOP certification program for proofing systems numerically determines the closeness of a visual match from proof to press sheet. Certification under the new program indicates IDEAlliance confirmation that a proofing system has the ability to simulate the SWOP and/or GRACoL characterization data sets within tight colorimetric tolerances and represent a visual consistency unprecedented in the history of color proofing.

Digital halftone and inkjet proofing solutions from Kodak have earned GRACoL or SWOP certifications in the U.S. and achieved compliance with color standards worldwide, including FOGRA, Sicogif and PPA. Kodak has seven proofing systems with GRACoL or SWOP certifications—the most in the industry—and expects to double that number in the coming weeks. Kodak’s proofing solutions with GRACoL or SWOP certifications include:

• The KODAK APPROVAL NX Digital Color Imaging System: GRACoL Coated #1
• The KODAK APPROVAL NX Digital Color Imaging System: SWOP Coated #3
• KODAK MATCHPRINT Digital Halftone Proofing System: GRACoL Coated #1
• KODAK MATCHPRINT Digital Halftone Proofing System: SWOP Coated #3
• KODAK MATCHPRINT Inkjet Proofing Solution with device support for the EPSON STYLUS Pro 800 Printer: GRACoL Coated #1
• KODAK MATCHPRINT Inkjet Proofing Solution with device support for HP Z2100 Photo Printer: GRACoL Coated #1
• KODAK VERIS Proofing Solution: GRACoL Coated #1

“We strongly support the SWOP and GRACoL certification processes,” said John Cross, General Manager, Prepress Consumables, Kodak.  “It is important for our customers to be able to produce proofs accurately to both industry and in-house specifications. Our solutions and expertise are focused on helping customers understand the tolerances that need to be set to achieve these specifications.”

Industry certifications, combined with process controls embedded in Kodak’s proofing systems, serve as an important means for helping customers get the proof right the first time, to any specifications, saving significant time and money. For example, the MATCHPRINT inkjet and VERIS proofing solutions incorporate KODAK COLORFLOW Technology for seamlessly communicating, controlling and confirming color across multiple devices. The Certified Processes within the COLORFLOW technology platform help deliver a proof that is generated according to in house or industry color guidelines. It also confirms that the correct profile was used and that the proofing system was correctly calibrated.

Kodak’s proofing solutions also support non-proprietary ICC and DeviceLink profiles such as those created by KODAK Profile Wizard software, ensuring cross-platform compatibility and color consistency throughout the print production workflow. The quality control benefits of connecting directly to KODAK PRINERGY and KODAK PRINERGY EVO Workflow Systems give customers the confidence that they are working with a simplified, automated, and integrated workflow.

KODAK products are backed by KODAK Service & Support. KODAK Service & 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 & Support professionals are uniquely qualified to provide services that control costs, maximize productivity, and minimize business risk.
About SWOP:

Specifications for Web Offset Printing (SWOP) was initiated in 1975 as a response to the printing industry’s need for uniform specifications and tolerances to ensure consistency and quality of material in publications. In 2005, SWOP merged with IDEAlliance in order to support print media through the coordinated development of standardized specifications and guidelines, certification programs, software tools, educational seminars and peer support networks. SWOP, Inc. now operates as a program with IDEAlliance. SWOP is a registered trademark of IDEAlliance. Learn more at www.swop.org.
About GRACoL:

In 1996, a graphics arts task force was formed by the Graphic Communications Association (now IDEAlliance) to develop a document containing general guidelines and recommendations that could be used as a reference source across the industry for quality color printing. Since that time, the GRACoL Committee has developed, maintained and published printing guidelines that have since become de facto standards on many pressrooms. The mission of GRACoL is to improve communications and education in the graphics arts by developing best practices that reflect the influence and impact of new technologies in the workflow of commercial offset lithography. GRACoL is a registered trademark of IDEAlliance. Visit www.GRACoL.org for more information

About Eastman Kodak Company

Kodak is the world’s foremost imaging innovator. With sales of $10.7 billion in 2006, the company is committed to a digitally oriented growth strategy focused on helping people better use meaningful images and information in their life and work. Consumers use Kodak’s system of digital and traditional products and services to take, print and share their pictures anytime, anywhere; Businesses effectively communicate with customers worldwide using KODAK solutions for prepress, conventional and digital printing and document imaging; and Creative Professionals rely on KODAK technology to uniquely tell their story through moving or still images.

More information about Kodak (NYSE: EK) is available at www.kodak.com.