Prepress stand by stand guide

Printing world showcases some of the highlight exhibitors who will be at Drupa 2000 next week from the world of prepressKodak Polychrome Graphics (Hall 5, Stand E23) is to launch a new all-in-one thermal processor which requires no preheating, an improved DryView film and new types of thermal plate. Unlike its range of Ipex launches, these are products which have been fully tried out by the print community. The new products include two types of thermal plate, one process- free and the other non-ablative for waterless printing. With 40W lasers for platesetters now becoming available, KPG believes that thermal plates are more viable now than a few years ago, as the imaging speed has doubled.KPG is also launching dry film that does not need chemical processing. It has used the medical imaging business it bought from Imation in 1998 as the basis for DryView film and will unveil a new wide format version of DryView for use in the 4Dry imagesetter. This will be complemented by the new Direct Print plate which, with DryView, can create an effective ctp system in a conventional workflow.The thermal newspaper system announced at Ifra will be unveiled. The system for larger newspapers has been called the Newsetter TH80 and can output 80 thermal plates an hour.Screen (Hall 5, Stand E01) will perhaps be most notable for its entry into the digital offset market, but it also has a number of new prepress products ready to launch. The first is the new and improved Cezanne flatbed scanner, the original of which has proved to be popular around the world. The Cezanne Elite is faster and features enhanced colour rendition thanks, in part, to new demoire software, which reduces moire generation for transparencies during scanning. There is also a new mirror design for the transparency light unit, which prevents dust and scratches appearing in the digital image file.Screen has also been working on its drum scanner technology, for which it claims there continues to be a steady niche demand. It will introduce the SG 8060P Mark II, the main advantage of which over its predecessor is its larger drum. It has a maximum input size of 600x538mm, resolution of up to 12,000 dpi and magnification ranging from 10%-3,000%. The demoire software is also available as an optional extra.Screen has also been working at developing automated ctp devices such as the PlateRite 8,000 which has been fitted with a multi-cassette holder which can store 500 plates online which enables complete automation for a 24 hour shift.The company will be launching what it describes as the world's first web browser operated PDF- based workflow solution. Called Trueflow, it links ctp, ctf, digital proofing and the distribution of PDF files for remote proofing and printing.With digital proofing becoming increasingly important, DuPont (Hall 4, Stand A41/47) is launching three new Cromalin proofers. They are aimed at all market segments and were designed for high quality colour matching and imposition proofing.DuPont's Cromalin Digital AQ series offers increased resolution for improved levels of colour matching and consistency for two- and four-up page production. Fully Hexachrome and Pantone enabled, DuPont believes it can cover all proofing needs. With a selectable resolution facility, AQ products can output proofs from 300 to a maximum 600 dpi. It is the new high quality Cromalin Digital product range and is the big brother of the current AX range.The new Cromalin DesignerProof is described as an efficient and affordable desktop colour proofing solution, aimed specifically at design houses and studios offering high resolution printing. The DuPont Rip allows the DesignerProof to provide increased colour consistency, with the use of standardised "frozen" colour profiles, produced using DuPont's CromaNet colour management, for both commercial matt and new commercial gloss proofing papers. In addition to proofing devices, DuPont has made advances with its CyrelFast flexo plate processing system. The company claims it is three times faster than other market alternatives, being capable of processing plates in one hour.Visitors to Wam!Net (Hall 5, Stand D01), will see a range of services with emphasis given to how these can bring benefits to the customer, including Project SiLo, Wam!Base, Wam!Proof, Internet!Access and more. Specific attention will be given to Wam!Net's tradition market of printers, repro houses, magazine and newspaper publishers, advertising agencies and corporate brand advertisers. Will Sullivan, newly appointed head of marketing at Wam!Net says: "We have a lot of positive developments to announce at Drupa, including new services and some other surprises. With the vision of becoming an e-business solution provider in mind, we have developed a portal into all the Wam!Net services available via the internet and our secure IP network. This will allow customers to access one website for information and to all the Wam!Net services."Fujifilm (Hall 5, Stand A01), will exhibit a range of new printing concepts and technologies under the banner, Fujifilm Leads The Way - Making Technology Work. The company's exhibition space will be divided into several different zones, each targeting a particular segment of the market. Among its displays will be the company's new digital cameras, the FinePix S1 Pro and FinePix 4700 Zoom, which employ Fujifilm's Super ccds, "boasting the highest level of image quality yet achieved". Also, the C-550 Lanovia high performance scanner, and ColourKit colour management software, based on ICC standards. In the ctp arena, Fujifilm's new high speed recording system combines its "innovative ctp plate using new functional components and ctp setters incorporating high-speed recording technology." New digital colour proof printers and media under the Luxel banner bring together Fujifilm's colour image processing and new image formation technologies.Dalim Software (Hall 9, Stand B62) will launch a range of open workflow systems compatible with all popular input file formats, output devises and platforms, including Linux. In addition to releasing an updated version of its popular Twist workflow solution, now available for Unix and Linux platforms, Dalim Software will also release a range of preconfigurated Linux-based workflow systems with full PDF 1.3 support, but at entry-level prices, says the company. Ceo Carol Werle, says: "Dalim Software's aim is to ensure that open, cost-effective and reliable workflow systems are available to everyone."The industry will see the first results of the joint initiative between Harlequin (Hall 4, Stand D6) and Harris Publishing Systems Corporation, based on the former's Rip technologies and the latter's MaxWorkFlow digital output management solution. Harlequin will make this next generation MaxWorkFlow available to its exclusive 50-plus Oem partners shortly after Drupa. Harlequin will also preview the next major release of its ScriptWorks Rip management system, which boosts productivity in high resolution digital printing and publishing environments and also controls a diverse set of processes with "late-biding flexibility".Compose System (Hall 9, Stand B26-01), will be exhibiting its prepress workflow management system, NetFlow. This is based on a standard Windows NT Intel-based PC platform, using standard high speed or GigaEthernet networks and operating systems. The system will interface to PC and Mac-based networks direct or via OPI systems. Prepress PostScript files can be Ripped with full colour management and selected pre-press requirements can be applied for output to various colour proofing devices, imagesetters and ctp systems. The workflow management system can also be configured for remote site production and remote management through the Internet. Systems on show will include: the Compose ProofJet; Mutoh's RJ6100 six-colour inkjet plotter; the Minolta Di 620; Minolta CF910; and Compose Image & Proof.Presstek (Hall 9, Stand C04) will showcase its new DI technology development, the ProFire integrated imaging system. The technology, which combines all the components of a thermal imager in one compact package, makes direct imaging both on and off press "significantly more affordable", says the company. It will debut in many devises at the show, including new DI presses from Sakurai and Adast, and the Presstek Dimension400 ctp imager as well as other partner systems.Glunz & Jensen (Hall 4, Stand C07) the graphic arts processing technologies supplier, comes to Drupa with solutions for a new millennium in prepress film, plate and ctp applications. Among these innovations from the Danish company will be NewsLink Pro 21- 55, a rugged, online film processor for newspaper and publishing customers. It offers flatfront interface with all of today's imagesetters for newspaper production. A wider version, the NewsLink Pro 72-28 is being readied for launch this year.Scangraphic PrePress Technology (Hall 4, Stand A33), Alfa Media Partner, Monotype Systems, PrePress Solutions and IPA Systems will jointly be presenting their comprehensive applications for publishing houses, newspaper publishers, printing shops and prepress houses. Among an array of displays, Scangraphic will be presenting the Scantext FastTrak, a ctp system for commercial printing and newspaper operations where it is important to have higher plate output in a short period of time.System Brunner (Hall 6, Stand C40) and Quad Tech International will be demonstrating the Instrument Flight inline measuring and regulating system for web offset presses in PrintCity. System Brunner is also to show workflow production security through process control and standardisation on the MAN Roland stand, also in Hall 6.Synectix of Cheltenham (Hall 9, Stand D44), specialist in the design and development of ctp solutions, has completed its latest ctp project for a major supplier to the graphic arts industry. The system, B3 internal drum device with full and semi-automatic plate handling and web browser based control, is due to make its debut at the show. Technical director Bill Davy says: "Whether flatbed or internal drum, semi or fully automatic, two-page or more, and any light source you require, we have the expertise to develop high performance products to suit any imaging requirement."Information Presentation Technologies (Hall 4, Stand C40) of California will show its new version of Adobe Extreme workflow technology designed for the Oem and systems integrator channels. This deepening of the partnership between Adobe and IPTech will be formally announced at the show. In addition, IPTech will also show: TurboRip 2.1, the latest version of its Adobe PostScript 3.0 Rip; ImpozeIt PDF imposition solution; and CanOPI, its professional OPI server.Marlowe Graphic Services (Hall 9, Stand C26), the Berkhamsted prepress equipment provider and technical support specialist, will have representation of ECRM throughout Drupa. Alan Thompson, customer service director at MGS says: "Exhibitions are an important part of our marketing strategy. We are delighted to be involved in the biggest print event of the year, Drupa, and will be pleased to welcome all UK visitors to the ECRM stand."Artwork Systems (Hall 5, Stand D18)will unveil Nexus, a new software product which "completely automates the prepress production workflow in both packaging and commercial printing environments". Many new tools and workflow options have been added for "optimum performance and a level of functionality unmatched in the industry", says the company.Nexus is compatible with virtually all imagesetters, platesetters, proofers and direct-to-press devises, says Artwork Systems, and can enhance every aspect of the prepress production cycle.Viptronic (Hall 4, Stand D15), will present its first portable offset plate measurement device based on a new video system analysis. The Vipcam 116 enables the exact measurement of the geometrical dot size on the conventional and ctp offset plate in "an incredibly short measuring time". A higher quality of production is also achieved, says the company, by the fact that the Vipcam 116 is an easy to handle unit which has only three keys. Dot size and lines per inch are calculated by this model.Dantex (Hall 5, Stand D02), will be showing new developments in photopolymer letterpress and flexo plates; a breakthrough in proofing flexo plates; an innovative mid web flexo press; and a speciality range of offset plates, including ctp. The Bradford company says that new developments in photopolymer plate technology will be among the highlights to be seen. This specialist prepress company will demonstrate its latest range of letterpress and flexo plates."Quality is what everyone is looking to consistently achieve as flexo printing competes more and more with gravure and offset," says Asahi Photoproducts (Hall 6, Stand A01), "and the need to achieve this on a regular controlled basis is very important." With the theme set, Asahi of Shenfield, Essex, will show a variety of new products. A new type of exposure frame will be on show that gives better control for the platemaker, says Asahi, better light distribution, cooling of the lamps and bed of the unit, shorter exposure times and greater control with relief depths.AB Dick (Hall 3, Stand B53) will be showing what it calls the world's smallest high- resolution drum platesetter. The DPM 2340 will be making a Drupa debut, and is the latest addition to the Digital PlateMaster series of digital platemakers. Ian Newberry, international sales director for Europe, says the company has a clearly defined target audience in its sights. "We agree wholeheartedly that this will be `The Digital Drupa' and there will be a lot of small-to-medium printers coming to the show to choose how best to go digital."The DPM 2340 can image at resolutions from 900-3,600dpi in 17 steps, and is capable of recording 175 lpi screen rulings on plates up to 340x508mm. The maximum speed is 40 plates per hour. It uses AB Dick MegaPro plates, which are available with 0.2mm and 0.13mm polyester bases for runs up to 25,000 impressions. For larger formats, or runs above 25,000, the DPM 2340 will output to film via a cassette in sizes up to 356x508mm and film screen rulings up to 300 lpi.Since BasysPrint (Hall 9, Stand B04) introduced the UV-Setter, which works with uv light, at Drupa 1995, there have been many new developments in the digital prepress market, says the German company. It is again hoping to catch the attention of the printing world at this Drupa with its new generation of UV-Setters, especially with the UV-Setter 57, being unveiled at the show. An improved exposure system, with which the light intensity could be increased five or six times, is named as the most significant feature of the new generation of products. Also, the number of pixels per exposure step has been increased by four times.Visitors to Hall 4, Stand B23 will see how Vio is evolving to become "the global applications service provider for the media production and distribution community".Showgoers can learn about Vio's range of access packages from connections to the Internet, dedicated leased line services and ISDN dial-up options. In addition to Vio's fast and secure file transfer, end-to-end job tacking and priority job download functions, visitors can see live distribute- and-print workflows with major industry players at the show using the RemoteProof and RemotePrint applications. Drupa 2000 visitors can also see RenderView, a remote soft proofing tool developed by RealTimeImage and available as an option for Vio users. The show will also mark the commercial launch of M-cast, Vio's online digital asset management solution developed in partnership with Applied Graphics Technologies.Finally, the firm is providing remote file transfer services to the daily Drupa Report, which is being compiled on site by the publisher of Deutscher Drucker, for distribution to visitors to the show.Anyone visiting IGP (Hall 10, Stand E61-02) will have the chance to see what the company believes is the first processor designed for thermal polymer ctp plates which can also be used for processing conventional litho plates. The PlatePro+ctp allows printers running conventionally the opportunity to simply change the chemicals in the tanks in order to process ctp plates. PlatePro+ctp is available in 660mm, 880mm and 1,300mm widths, meaning it can be used with plate sizes from A3 to B0. It also has several standard features designed to make it more cost effective, such as a developer centre feed and a chiller facility in the developer bath which allows a more constant temperature to be achieved. It can also be used online or offline."When we decided to design a processor for the ctp market we went back to the drawing board in order to create something that was suited ideally to the demands of this type of plate," says IGP managing director Chris Robertson. "This entailed very close attention to the different technologies employed in a processor, and in particular to areas such as the developer bath."Slough company 5 Fifteen (Hall 9, Stand B26-02) which produces software for advertising, circulation and subscription requirements, will be showing two new products. The first is a Java-based circulation and subscription system, and the second is the latest and enhanced version of the Maxim advertising software. It will also be promoting its advertising system management service called All Down The Line.The new Java circulation system allows efficient processing of subscriptions with a single entry screen enabling the user to set up details of the recipient, payee, start date, and date, rates, payment details and status.Intergraph Computer Systems (Hall 6, Stand A62) will be providing the processing power necessary to drive the live PrintCity workflow demonstrations, says the company, as the exclusive Intel Windows NT server and workstation exhibitor for the massive PrintCity collaboration. Visitors to Hall 6 will see how Intergraph's servers can provide the process levels required across a wide range of printing applications, at what it claims is a lower cost than current high performance servers.The company will also have its own booth in which it will be showcasing its Zx workstations and servers based on Wahoo Technology. The servers will be shown in direct comparison with its server configuration from one year ago, both running Extreme-Zip software attached to a number of Macs.Claiming to be the only dedicated manufacturer of copy dot products exhibiting at Drupa, Tecsa (Hall 9, Stand B77) will be showing its entire range of scanners and software solutions. This will include the TS3000 series, TS200 series, the latest V2.6 copy dot software and Seurat.The TS3000 copy dot scanner incorporates two models: the TS3100 which promises sharp dot capture for commercial applications with a scanning head that is designed to scan 2,540 dpi; and the TS3050 which scans at 1,270 dpi and is designed for newspapers.The TS2000 copy dot scanner series takes black and white ads to full page CMYK colour, in register, for placement into a fully digital format. The scanners have a resolution of 1,270dpi which holds text and halftone dots at 100 line screen. Seurat is a general purpose scanner software package running on the Apple PowerMac platform.Epson (Hall 7, Stand B08) will be showing the latest additions to its scanner range: the Expression 1600 and Expression 1600 Pro. They replace the existing GT-9600 scanners for the graphics and business market, and offer a resolution of 1600x3200 dpi. The Expression 1600 features four of what Epson considers to be its most advanced scanning technologies: Micro Step drive for high resolution; Dynamic Range Control to get the most out of transparencies; Simultaneous RGB scanning ensuring that all of the colour information is gathered; and Precision Optical Lenses providing full sharpness and clarity.The scanner also features Dual Position Focus, which provides pinpoint focusing for both reflective and transparent media. The optional film holders, which are supplied as standard with the Expression 1600 Pro eliminate Newton rings by holding the transparency away from the bed of the scanner. The Dual Focus system adjusts to focus at this new distance to give sharp results.Both come with a wide range of software including Adobe Photoshop, Limited Edition, Xerox TextBridge Classic , Presto! PageMaker, Epson Twain Pro, Twain Pro Network and Scan Server software.Electronics for Imaging (Hall 4, Stand B39), the company which developed the Fiery Rip, will launch a new suite of products aimed at improving print workflow. Its main application will lie in the office environment, but EfI says the new products will be of value to the larger format printer. The package comprises two elements, VelocityBalance and VelocitySuite. These are solutions which encompass a wide range of current prepress processes, such as job ticketing, automatic load balancing, multiple Rips, multiple engines, cluster printing and automatic colour v black and white print splitting.The products were developed in response to the soaring use of printing in the workplace as a result of internet use. EfI will also unveil a Software Developers Kit designed to allow its Oems or other third parties to developing custom solutions for configuring and managing any Fiery-driven device.Imacon (Hall 4, Stand C07) is the Danish company which developed the innovative Flextight scanner concept which does away with glass. At Drupa, it will be demonstrating new ColorFlex software on all its scanners - the Flextight Progression, the Flextight Precision II and the Flextight Photo. Imacon claims the software makes operating its scanners virtually as simple as using a photocopier.It will also be demonstrating what it believes will be a leading education/training website within the prepress and photographic industries. The company has developed what is calls a "university- style" website that can be used both prior to an installation and afterwards. So, if someone is buying a scanner, but does not know much about the technology behind it, they will be able to use the website to research topics such as what RGB or CMYK is or how a scanner or digital camera work.The company developed the website because it found there is a shortage of apprentice-trained operators in the industry, and found that its salespeople spent more time actually training people about scanning technologies than they did demonstrating or selling the Flextight.Hell Gravure Systems (Hall 17, Stand C42) will be stepping into a new market segment with the launch of its new HelioFlex F2000 - a ctp device for flexo printing. Hell says this is a reaction to the increasing demands for flexo plates and sleeves as the technology becomes more widely used. The HelioFlex F2000 has a high performance laser head which the company says will give users both high beam quality and fast exposing speed. It can handle formats up to 1,200x1,600mm, and can also be used for halftone gravure as well. Hell's focus will be on automating functions and workflow improvements within the two digital production lines of engraving cylinders in packaging - product and label printing on the one hand and publication on the other.Printing Developments Inc (Hall 5, Stand D02) will showcase its line of bimetal plates, including its Prisma 830 thermal ctp product. It will be with its European distributor Dantex Graphics. Calling itself the world's largest maker of positive and negative bimetal printing plates, and second largest thermal ctp platemaker, PDI says its presence in Europe is growing. The plates have some interesting properties, such as the copper over aluminium construction for improved print quality and colour reproduction. They can be sharpened during processing to reduce dot gain for better print contrast.PDI says the copper surface attracts ink better than competing plates, whilst the aluminium in non image areas requires less water than that of anodised plates. In theory, this should result in a web running drier with fewer breaks and less ink usage.The take up of PDF could be helped by DK&A Europe (Hall 9, Stand B66) which is launching three new Wide-Open PDF Workflow (Wow) products. These will include two new versions of the company's INposition software: INposition ID and INposition CS. INposition has been developed to run as an imposition plug in within Adobe Indesign. INposition CS is a fully open architecture version. The other launch is an open architecture version of DK&A's Trapper software, Trapper CS.The company says there has been a strong demand for truly open PDF workflows, but they have been limited because they only operate with a specific manufacturer's equipment. It calls its Wow products device independent, unlike the equipment manufacturers' proprietary PDF workflows.X-Rite (Hall 9, Stand A61) will be introducing new technologies to fit into its Drupa theme of Color Tools That Work. At the forefront of these developments is a method for obtaining ICC press profiles without disturbing a press run, and a colour data communication technology for graphic arts applications.The company says its newest developments do not so much add products to existing application categories as much as they create new applications for workflow efficiency. For example, X-Rite has developed an automated method for measurement of a miniaturised characterisation test form outside the live print arena.GretagMacbeth (Hall 5, Stand C23) will be unveiling a new generation of solutions for colour management and control. These include solutions for the workstation, the workgroup and the community clustered on the Internet. For the prepress world, GretagMacbeth will feature the latest version of its ProfileMaker Professional colour management software. This incorporates new workflow features and will be available for Mac and PC platforms. The company says it will allow users to quickly, easily and accurately account for colour difference in different scanners, digital cameras, monitors, printers and traditional printing presses.For the pressroom, the company will be launching an integrated sheet scanning, colour evaluation and control system. It is claimed to reduce set up times and give more consistent running quality and overall reductions in waste. A scanning X/Y spectrophotometer and intelligent colour management software are used to analyse colour patches and printed sheets up to 750x1,040mm in size.Heidelberg's prepress business (Hall 2)will be making a number of launches, the most significant of which is perhaps the Primesetter imagesetter. Developed because Heidelberg says there is still a strong demand for film, the Primesetter is the replacement to the Herkules and comes in two formats: the 74 and 102. The 74 is a four-up device designed to supply imposed originals on presses the same size as the Speedmaster 74. The 102 is aimed at the Speedmaster 102 size user. Film can be imaged at up to 120 lines per cm, while polyester plates can be imaged at up to 70lpc. The Primesetter employs a non-contact material transport system which runs on an air cushion without rollers, material being held in place by a vacuum.Other Heidelberg launches will be the Delta Direct Rip, which is designed for entry-level users as a platform from which to build a digital network. In addition, the company will be showing new scanning software for the redigitisation of film as well as two new Capstan imagesetters and a digital camera back for conventional SLR cameras.Global Graphics (Hall 9, Stand D44), will use Drupa as the platform to launch its new infrastructure and a whole host of new digital, litho plate processing and flexo products. The company will feature for the first time at Drupa under its new guise. Following an aggressive acquisition programme over the last 18 months, the group is now made up of a number of players in the graphic arts industry: Photomeca, Colomag, AZ, Kelleigh, Harlequin, ICG, Heights and Technigraph.New products launched from ICG, the platesetter and scanner specialist, include a new range of drum scanners based on the 370 range, a new flatbed scanner (marking the company's first venture into this technology), a new compatible scanning software package incorporating colour management, and a completely re-developed ctp machine based on the 580.Polaroid Graphics Imaging, (Hall 6, Stand B02) the new graphic arts company formed between Polaroid and Andlinger, will be demonstrating its range of digital colour proofing systems within a number of different workflows. The company will be working closely with other PrintCity exhibitors (Hall 6), such as Agfa and MAN Roland, to demonstrate a number of "click to finished product" workflows for a variety of applications including packaging, advertising and publishing.The concept of the packaging workflow is to produce a 35mm film packaging, while the digital printing workflow will focus on producing a customised package for a single-use camera. A range of advertising material and promotional collateral will be produced within the "think to ink" workflow. Polaroid Graphics Imaging will integrate both the Polaroid DryJet digital continuous-tone and the PolaProof digital halftone proofing systems into the PrintCity open systems architecture to provide both concept and contract proofs.President Richard Close says: "Drupa provides us with an excellent opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to bring high quality and affordable digital proofing solutions to a wider audience. Displaying our proofing solutions within PrintCity will allows us to show visitors how to achieve a cost-effective, efficient all digital workflow with the best-in-class products."Napp Systems (Hall 9, Stand B43) is perhaps best known for its plates, but this Drupa it will be unveiling a ctp system for flexo newspaper printing. In addition, it will also be showing two new plates. The Napp ctp platesetter is claimed to offer easy and fast flexo printing plate feed, bump and main exposure from the newly designed uv laser system. It is capable of processing single and double truck pages. Currently it is still semi-automatic. The resolution can be either 1,000 or 2,000 dpi halftone dot shapes can be round, euclidean, elliptical, and the screen ruling can be from 20 to 120 lpi.On the plate front, there is the Nappdeco, which is used mainly for printing on polyethylene and metal. It is processed with normal tap water and is described as ideal for dry offset printing. Nappcoat, meanwhile, has been designed for spot coating. It is processed with water and is resistant against water and oil based inks after processing.Romaco's Hapa Division (Hall 10 Stand B58) is to launch a digital printing technology for overprinting foil which eliminates the need to laser engrave plates at a separate stage of the origination process. The Hapa 730 Digiprint promises computer artwork to print in under a minute, without compromising on quality or versatility. The 730 delivers high resolution - 600 dpi - at speeds over 19m/min, the ability to use a full range of uv inks in Pantone Matching System colours, a print area of 240x270mm and easy service and maintenance. It is, claims Hapa, as easy to use as a standard office printer.The printing technology is based on a process similar to screenprinting. Data is transferred to the Digiprint and within seconds a non- erasable master foil is created which is then automatically loaded onto the printing cylinder. When the run is completed and a new print job transmitted, the used master is automatically destroyed.HighWater (Hall 9, Stand B 26-09) will be unveiling its new product strategy called solutions@highwater which offers a more holistic approach to sales, development and support. It will also be launching a blue laser version of its Platinum ctp device. The Cheltenham company will be showing a blue laser version of the new smaller B3 flatbed metal platesetter, the Platinum 2218, complete with the new compact LS62 plate processor. Together, the 2218 and LS62 are claimed to come at a size and cost that will give smaller printers a huge advantage in the intensely competitive B3 market. The 2218 images a 2,540dpi metal B3 plate in three minutes, giving a realistic productivity rate of 18 plates per hour.HighWater's B2 system, the Platinum 2230, will also be on show and a special 36 in size unit, the Platinum 2236, which was designed for the Japanese market, is also available. Torrent Rip and Micro Torrent will be running on all five workstations on the stand.ECRM (Hall 9, Stand C26), which has bought Optronics International's technology, will launch a new eight-up thermal platesetter based in the Optronics Aurora. The DesertCat 8, at the price of just $179,500, will deliver full B1 thermal plates The thermal platesetter will also have a low cost thermal proofing option which images individual CMYK gels for lamination onto a carrier sheet. Proofs made in this way have the advantage of using the same Rip, laser and dot structure as final plate production, ensuring an exact representation of the job in imposed form.For visible light ctp, the Tigercat will be on display. It will cost less than #100,000 and have complete automation. It will be demonstrating imaging plates for two-page and four-page presses at resolutions up to 3,556 dpi. For smaller printers there will be the Mako imagesetter on show.The CreoScitex show (Hall 4, Stand A06/A07) will see the recently merged companies exhibiting on the same stand, but with each demonstrating equipment individually. This is hardly surprising since the two companies have not had time to develop any joint products.The main thrust of the show will be on ctp, with Creo unveiling the four-page Trendsetter 74 and Scitex displaying the Lotem 400 which is the same format. The fact there are two four-page systems coming from the same camp has led to speculation about which will win out, and Drupa will certainly be a fascinating time to judge.Scitex has expanded its Lotem ctp product line to cover what it sees as every working environment and every press size, from GTO to the largest 60x80 in format. The latest introduction is the Lotem 800V2. With Scitex Turbo Screening top quality is promised through FM screening support.Further flexibility is delivered with the Lotem 800VP, a dual- purpose platesetter/proofer, and the Lotem 4 Proof and Lotem 8 Proof halftone proofers. In addition, the Lotem Link enables users of third party DFEs to enjoy the benefits of Scitex ctp systems.In addition to the Trendsetter 74, which is claimed to be able to handle 16 B2 plates per hour, Creo will be launching the VLF Trendsetter Autoloader, a new plate loading and unloading system that adds modular and productive automation to the VLF Trendsetter series. It allows printers to image 200 plates with no operator input.Print Console V2.0 will also be launched by Creo, which is a graphic based user friendly device for connectivity from a variety of front end systems. It provides the link between the Rip or the Tiff down loader delivering raster files directly to the output device.Agfa (Hall 6, Stand A27) has announced that it will demonstrate a broad range of production workflows which are designed specifically for the packaging industry. Integrating its production systems with products from ArtWork Systems/PCC, MAN Roland and others, Agfa will demonstrate innovative solutions for folding cartons, flexible packaging, corrugated and label printing.Agfa solutions will be presented within the context of PrintCity in Hall 6 at Drupa, a consortium of more than 50 industry leaders in design, prepress, printing, converting and finishing, assembled to demonstrate how open architecture systems can be combined to offer an unlimited number of tailor-made solutions for a myriad of customer requirements.The company will debut two label printing workflows: flexo and digital. A flexo process will integrate Agfa, Adobe and ArtWork Systems products to send a PostScript file from front end to Rip to imagesetter without ever introducing a proprietary language.Agfa will be introducing two new products in this demonstration, including 16-bit Agfa Balanced Screening Options and a new hard-dot imagesetter film, Agfa ImPowerPlus. For digital label production, Agfa will demonstrate its five-colour Chromapress 32si system.In folding cartons, Agfa and ArtWork Systems will team with Merck and MAN Roland, while in flexible packaging, Agfa and ArtWork will produce a flexo-printed polybag, which will involve ArtPro's step-and-repeat capabilities, combined with a PCC Rip featuring hybrid screens. To maximise this high-productivity workflow, Agfa adds the Sherpa digital proofer, Avantra 44 imagesetter and ImPower Plus film, which will be imaged on DuPont Cyrel sheet photopolymer plates.Imation (Hall 5, Stand A23), will showcase a comprehensive portfolio of products, services and solutions for colour management. This portfolio provides customers with solutions from concept to production through to imposition, contract, print and packaging. The Bracknell company's presence will highlight its Matchprint analogue and digital proofing product line, widely recognised as an industry standard for colour accuracy and control proof quality. Jean-Marc Laigle, director of Imation Color Technologies, Europe says: "We will provide compelling evidence of Imation's transformation from a manufacturer of graphic arts `point products' into a leading global provider of critical colour solutions."Imation is addressing the needs of web site owners and online shoppers for critical colour on the Internet with its new Imation Verifi accurate web colour solution. This product will enable shoppers to confidently purchase products online - such as cosmetics and home furnishings - where colour accuracy is integral to the purchasing decision.The company is also adding highly accurate profile generation to its colour management portfolio through a new alliance with GretagMacbeth. Through this agreement, Imation will provide graphic arts professionals with GretagMacbeth's ProfileMaker software for generating precise International Color Consortium (ICC) profiles, and offer complete training and service support to ensure that users are able to fully integrate profiling into their ICC/ Apple ColorSync workflows.