A few days ago, Manroland and Kodak launched a jointly developed variable data printing technology for newspaper printing.
This technology will be exhibited at this year's IfraExpo in Vienna. Its core technology is to equip newspaper presses with new on-line inkjet devices, which will increase the variable information for newspapers including text, barcodes, and images, and this Variable data printing is done with the newspaper printer running at full speed.
The new integrated inkjet module will be equipped with a Kodak Versamark DH6240 inkjet printhead with a print speed of 15 meters per second and a print width of 10.84 cm. This ink-jet printing module has been tested at a full speed of the manroland newspaper printer with a print speed of 90,000 impressions/hour.
The partners stated that this system is currently the only variable data printing system that can meet the standards of newspaper printers. It can be installed not only on the manroland new newspaper press but also on existing newspaper presses. Both parties stated that the introduction of this device would allow the newspaper to print regional advertisements according to their own needs, print personalized game cards, and print barcodes that contribute to logistics.
Manroland said that “the newspaper industry has always wanted to improve the flexibility of the press. With Kodak's continuous inkjet module, the manroland press can print unique images while maintaining the original printing speed. The purpose of doing so is to enable newspapers to increase the ability to multiple formats and provide one-to-one service." This may even bring about a revolution in newspaper printing.
According to reports, the price and practicality of this type of newspaper variable data printing module have not been disclosed.