A glossy event in Manila saw the launch of Kodak's Sonora and Sword Max plates in the Philippines.

Two "men in black" held the secrets in matching suitcases, building suspense throughout the evening as several hundred printers gathered for the event to hear about latest innovations and new levels of automation, speed, print quality and sustainability.

Kodak says its process-free Sonora X is now suitable for 80 per cent of offset printers, bringing environmental and cost benefits. Sword Max is a thermal plate with processing speeds now fast enough for the fastest commercial CTP devices.

Pictured: A toast to Kodak's thriller in Manila