The
threesome will be working together to merge Espresso’s book-printing functions
with the image- and color-printing capabilities of Kodak’s photo kiosks.
ReaderLink will help get the machines into the distribution channels where it
already sells hard-copy books. Much of the focus, at least initially, will be
on marketing the services to consumers or small groups who want to create photo
books, such as family albums or local histories. Later, the emphasis may shift
to providing access to backlist titles.
Publishers Weekly’s coverage of the
announcement drew some skeptical remarks from commenters, who doubted the
venture would get off the ground, given the availability of other services for
creating custom books and for buying e-book versions of the backlist.
Kodak’s
involvement was something of a surprise, as some have written off the company
as near-dead. But back in May, the company’s POD group unveiled new workflow
solutions for color printing. One drawback for the Espresso has been its
inability to print color on inside pages. Kodak’s solution resolves that
problem.
