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Kodak Prosper Ultra 520

The Prosper Ultra does not need to lower speeds to achieve high-quality printing, says Simon Eccles

How does it work?
Prosper Ultra 520 marks Kodak’s first use
of its UltraStream heads, with resolution of
“200lpi equivalent” and a drop size of
3.75picoliters. The earlier Stream heads of
the Prosper 5000, 6000 and now 7000
Turbo use air to deflect the droplet streams,
while UltraStream uses charged metal
plates (similar to the earlier Kodak
Versamark models).
The inks are water-based, and are said to
have “the smallest and most uniform nano-
particulate pigment distribution with low
humectant levels, offering an exceptionally
large colour gamut, optimum drying effi-
ciency, and increased sustainability”. This
is said to be a “95% larger gamut than
Featuring Kodak’s novel UltraStream ment and printers that would have pro- SWOP”.
head technology, the Prosper Ultra does duction volumes around 10 million A4 The print speed is the same on all com-
not need to lower speeds to achieve high- images per month”. She adds: patible papers, even glossy coateds with
quality printing, and near-infrared dry- “Delivering offset quality, 200lpi, at a high ink coverage, which has been a weak
ing offers increased efficiency. Specifications speed of 152m/minute or 12,950 per- point for previous inkjet webs. Kodak says
fected B2 sheets per hour, the press is that papers can be either pre-treated for
What does it do? Process: perfect for shifting jobs from offset to
Kodak UltraStream inkjet, or standard offset papers can be used
It is a web-fed CMYK perfecting inkjet continuous-flow digital.” by applying Kodak’s Image Optimizer
press, intended to deliver “offset quality” inkjet These jobs can include static as well as Agent (a primer) on the press. Some stand-
print on a wide variety of standard variable data work. According to Kodak, ard offset papers can be printed without
papers, including high coverage on glossy Ink : typical applications include direct mail, primer “with almost no impairment of
coatings, without slowing from the speed Water-based nano- catalogues, magazines, inserts, photo- image quality”, says Kodak, though inkjet
of 152m/minute. It uses Kodak’s pigment books and postcards. The duty cycle is up treated papers give “higher quality and a
UltraStream technology, a higher speed/ to 60 million pages per month. There is a larger gamut, with less bleed and show-
quality development of its continuous- Colours: through”.
flow inkjet system that was first used by CMYK plus primer, choice of two configurations: Prosper Mechanically, the Prosper Ultra 520 is a
Uteco with its Sapphire Evo W flexible 4/4 Ultra P520 is aimed at publishing, roll-fed press for web widths up to 533mm
packaging press. Perfecting modes: transpromo and commercial print appli- and print widths of 520mm, with essen-
4/4, 4/1, 4/0, 1/1, 1/0 cations with low to moderate ink cover-
When was it launched and what mar- age. Ultra C520 is for highly customised tially unlimited page cut-off (3.8m). It has
kets is it aimed at? Resolution: 200lpi direct mail, inserts, magazines, cata- open architecture and can be configured
Although originally intended to be at equivalent logues, promotional brochures and col- with third-party ancillaries. A typical con-
the postponed Drupa 2020, the Hunkeler our books – especially those with high figuration might start with an unwinder or
Innovationdays event in March 2023 ink coverage on coated papers. an auto-splicer, pre-coater, then the press,
marked the effective official launch. It The Prosper Ultra 520 is one of three then a post-coater, perforation/punch unit,
was demonstrated printing three “maga- Prosper inkjet web presses currently a rewinder or an inline sheeter or book fin-
logues” (combined magazines and cata- offered. The older Prosper 6000 (300m/ ishing unit.
logues) in roll-to-roll configuration with The main difference between the P520
a Hunkeler UW8 unwinder and RW8 min) and latest 7000 Turbo (410m/min) (medium/low ink coverage) and C520 is in
rewinder along with the Hunkeler WI8 don’t have the new UltraStream heads. the drying units. P520 has two near-infra-
web inspection system. Denisse They are intended for high-volume work red drying units per side of the web while
Goldbarg, Kodak’s chief marketing and have to slow down for higher quality. C520 has four each side to handle the heav-
officer and head of EAMER sales, says it The new press has about half the foot- ier ink coverage. A P520 can be field
is aimed at “the mid-volume market seg- print of the earlier models. upgraded to a C520.
Prosper Ultra 520 marks Kodak’s first use of its UltraStream heads, with resolution of “200lpi equivalent”.

30 PrintWeek MENA June 2025 www.printweekmena.com