SMART Papers Kromekote® Helps HP and HP Indigo Win Top Performance Rating for Photo Printing

HAMILTON, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--SMART Papers today said its Kromekote® digital printing papers helped HP Indigo presses achieve top ratings for lasting print quality, color consistency and image permanence in new third-party tests conducted on behalf of HP (NYSE: HPQ). HP Indigo’s specialized presses are marketed to photofinishers, printers and publishers worldwide.

“This landmark study by Wilhelm confirms SMART Papers Kromekote brand delivers superior quality photo printing when printed on HP Indigo presses—with permanence beyond even the most advanced formulations of silver-halide papers”

SMART Papers’ Kromekote digital photo papers perform better than advanced-formulation silver halide photo papers marketed by two of the world’s most recognized photo industry brands, HP said in a Feb. 18 news release. The tests were conducted by the international imaging authority, Wilhelm Imaging Research of Grinnell, Iowa, a specialist in the stability, preservation and permanence of color photography.

“This landmark study by Wilhelm confirms SMART Papers Kromekote brand delivers superior quality photo printing when printed on HP Indigo presses—with permanence beyond even the most advanced formulations of silver-halide papers,” said Tim Needham, chairman of SMART Papers. “It’s clear evidence that Kromekote provides the world’s best digital printing surface for achieving archive quality photo-true images.”

Commercial-quality digital imaging photo papers such as those manufactured by SMART Papers are used in the growing photo publishing and photo specialty printing markets. These markets include photo/digital and other retailers; professional photographers and studios; wholesale/high volume and professional color lab processors, large chain, online and one-hour minilab retailers and commercial printers/publishers.

About the study and HP Indigo presses for photo printing

The study gives pages printed with HP Indigo presses on a Kromekote paper from SMART Papers a Wilhelm Imaging Research (WIR) Display Permanence Rating of approximately 45 years, which is longer than the best-rated silver-halide photo paper, Fuji Crystal Archive. The HP Indigo rating is also more than twice as long as the WIR Display Permanence Rating for prints on Kodak silver-halide photo paper, HP said in its news release.

HP made the announcement during the annual conference of the HP Indigo users group, Dscoop, in Dallas last week. This week, the Photo Marketing Association (PMA 2010) gathers for its annual conference in Anaheim, CA.

Wilhelm Imaging Research conducts tests for all top photo and printing OEMs worldwide and serves as an advisor to the Bill Gates-owned Corbis-Bettmann Archive photographic collection of more than 11 million images. The firm’s principals have also worked with many other photo collection institutions including the Museum of Modern Art in New York, and authored a landmark, 740-page book, “The Permanence and Care of Color Photographs.”

HP announced two new digital presses with capabilities that improve photo printing quality and color consistency and help create new business opportunities for print service providers, publishers and photographers. The company said its HP Indigo WS6000p offers professional portrait output quality as a low-cost replacement for silver-halide printing systems. HP also said its enhanced HP Indigo W7200 Digital Press improves color management and consistency for high-volume printing of photo specialty products, including photo books.

Details on Kromekote and Kromekote True-Photo papers

SMART Papers’ Kromekote triple cast-coated, mirror smooth, ultra-glossy surface is specifically designed for digital printing. It is specially formulated to literally anchor digital inks to the surface.

Kromekote is widely regarded as the gold standard in coated printing papers worldwide. With full Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification, the brand offers papers in up to 30% post-consumer waste (PCW) fibers.

Brands include Kromekote Text and Cover, Kromekote Recycled, Folding Board, Colors and Metallics, Foils, Textures and Kromekote Digital, including Kromekote True-Photo papers.

Kromekote True-Photo delivers outstanding photo and image reproduction, creating visuals that pop off the page. A brilliant 92-bright white shade also produces intense colors and maximum image resolution. The specially engineered soft matte surface on the other side emulates the quality and appearance of traditional silver-halide photo papers.

Archival, acid-free True-Photo papers enable digital press owners to profitably meet the growing demand for custom short-run photos and photo applications like greeting cards, direct mail, personalized calendars and much more. The papers are guaranteed on HP Indigo, Xerox iGen, Kodak NexPress, Canon, Oce, Konica-Minolta and all other production-rated laser printers.

The papers are RIT-certified and available in 8- and 10- and 12-point caliper, 18x12 size and are sealed in 250 sheet packs, 1000 sheets per carton.

Mohawk Fine Papers is the exclusive marketer of all SMART Papers products including Kromekote, Knightkote Matte and SMART Digital premium coated papers. These market-leading brands are widely used and specified by commercial printers, corporate in-plant printers and graphic designers.

About SMART Papers

Hamilton, Ohio-based SMART Papers is North America’s largest manufacturer and marketer of environmentally responsible, premium cast-coated and matte-coated papers. Its papers, used in offset and digital printing as well as consumer packaging, are marketed worldwide.

Brands include Kromekote, Knightkote Matte and SMART Digital. Papers contain up to 100% post-consumer fibers and are chlorine free. All pulp used in papermaking is certified by one or more of the following third-party organizations: the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI), the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC).

SMART Papers manufacturers branded and specialty papers for a wide range of applications including corporate brochure and identity programs, annual reports, consumer labels and tags, consumer packaging, stationery, greeting cards, invitations with matching envelopes, direct mail, security papers and more. SMART Papers sell its coated brands to customers including specialty and technical converters, OEMs, label manufacturers, laminators, packaging printers, gift and box wrap printers and greeting card companies worldwide.

SMART Papers’ independent utility operation at its Hamilton manufacturing center supplies the company with all of its energy needs. It is a participant in the Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator (Midwest ISO) and is a registered Certified Retail Electric Supplier (CRES) in the State of Ohio. SMART Papers is now exploring the transition to renewable fuels at its power plant.

Please visit www.smartpapers.com or call 800-443-9773 for more information. Customers may also order papers in any quantity at www.mohawkpaperstore.com.