This procedure eliminates at least one generation of analogue duplication and usually results in a significantly higher quality of release prints.
[8] Other manufacturers, principally DuPont of the United States, Fujifilm of Japan (the penultimate company to discontinue colour print stock[9]), Agfa-Gevaert of Germany, Ilford of the United Kingdom and Tasma of the Soviet Union competed with Kodak in the print stock market throughout most of the twentieth century.
The person operating the printer on which the release print is struck must take several factors into consideration in order to achieve accurate color.
At the theater, release prints are projected through an aperture plate, placed between the film and the projector's light source.
[11] Due to the fear of piracy, distributors try to ensure that prints are returned and destroyed after the movie's theatrical run is complete.
[citation needed] EKs (showprints) are even more expensive as they are almost completely made by hand and to much higher quality standards.