September 16, 2008 - Fujifilm Quality Thermal Photo Paper FUJIFILM Corporation announces the development of FUJIFILM Quality Thermal Photo Paper, a new dye sublimation thermal photo printing material packaged with a dedicated ink ribbon cartridge for use with the ASK-2000 Thermal Photo Printer. FUJIFILM Quality Thermal Photo Paper is a new type of dye sublimation thermal photo printing material, offering improved surface finish, handling, and significantly reduced environmental impact during the production phase.

Fujifilm is also displaying two new dye sublimation thermal photo printers as a reference exhibit: the ultra high-speed ASK-2500, capable of achieving world-class print speeds of 6.8 seconds for a 4 x 6-in. (102 x 152mm) print, and the ASK-3000, a high-density printer (maximum density of 2.4) engineered with an emphasis on image quality that produces unprecedented dynamic range.

In response to rapidly diversifying photo printing needs, Fujifilm has developed a variety of next-generation print solutions under the banner of ``Expanding Frontier Solutions,´´ an initiative that has met with acclaim in markets around the world. A mainstay of the Expanding Frontier Solutions lineup, Thermal Photo Printers let print service providers offer high-quality, high-speed commercial photo printing services with relatively small initial investment and minimal space and maintenance requirements. Combined with print order terminals and software, high-performance thermal photo printers function as key components in customized in-store photo kiosk solutions that have been adopted by numerous retailers in markets.

The newly developed FUJIFILM Quality Thermal Photo Paper utilizes a laminated base paper with the same high level of whiteness as silver halide photographic color paper. This base is coated in multi-layer that incorporates a heat insulation layer, using a first- of-its-kind production method based on FUJIFILM proprietary coating technology on aqueous dispersion system^*1. Compared to conventional thermal photo papers, this new paper achieves greatly enhanced image quality (5% increase in whiteness; 20% increase in gloss^*2), making it possible to offer prints with a luxury feel far surpassing conventional thermal photo prints.

The new production methods make it possible to increase the moisture content of the photo printing material itself, resulting in antistatic of approximately 1/1000 the surface resistance of conventional products. This minimizes the tendency for freshly printed thermal photo prints to stick together, resulting in significantly increased handling ease.

By adopting proprietary coating technology on aqueous dispersion system that uses virtually no polluting organic solvents, new FUJIFILM Quality Thermal Photo Paper achieves a significant reduction in environmental impact during the production phase.

With the development of this new dye-sublimation thermal photo paper, Fujifilm will continue to expand its range of Thermal Photo Printer solutions, making it possible to offer strong support for photo printing businesses.

^*1: Utilizes a technology to disperse coating particles in a water base, requiring virtually no organic solvents for the coating process.
^*2: Whiteness: ISO 2470-compliant; Gloss: ISO 2813-compliant