manroland web systems will cooperate closely on inkjet imprinting following a direct reseller agreement with Kodak.

The partnership enables the German press maker to offer ‘single source’ imprinting solutions, and covers Kodak’s Prosper S20 and S30 systems.

manroland says it is becoming the leading reseller and OEM partner for Kodak’s Stream inkjet technology for web press systems, the deal making variable printing “even more attractive” for newspapers.

German publisher Axel Springer is among users of the technology which delivers highly variable inkjet for advertising and news: “Millions of readers of Bild newspaper benefit from the innovative inkjet partnership,” says technology and order processing vice president Dieter Betzmeier.

Printheads at Axel Springer printing houses have been integrated into the production workflow, with a printed inkjet ‘day pass’ code an important part of Bild’s paid content model, creating a bridge between print and online editions.

The integrated systems print variable data on edition including lottery numbers, breaking news, QR codes and local and personalised advertising.

Betzmeier says manroland has already proved it can add inkjet imprinting to presses from all major manufacturers: “Customers select the automation level that suits their needs, from a simple integration through to full automation where the inkjet module is completely integrated into the press control,” he says. the latter uses a continuous workflow from prepress, without additional work for press operators.