(September 24, 2008) Agfa Graphics announced today that attendees of the International Newspaper Group's (ING) annual conference will be able to learn about Agfa's digital press solutions for the newspaper industry. The digital press technology panel at the ING conference, which is being held at the Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay in Tampa, FL, later this month, is scheduled for Thursday, September 25 at 10:30 am.

The newspaper industry continues to evolve while struggling against competing methods of news delivery. By some estimates, it is nearly a $40 billion industry, still with great potential. Newspapers that can be customized or printed on demand are on the horizon and thought to be part of the redefining of the American newspaper.

Earlier this year, at drupa 2008, Agfa launched a solution that addresses those concerns. The :Dotrix DGNews is an inkjet digital press that adds high-quality color to high-speed, dual-sided, variable-data printing on newsprint. It includes a sheet cutter, a drum collator and a double folding unit for single and double folds to produce fully finished tabloid or broadsheet newspapers. A powerful IPDS (Intelligent Printer Data Stream) controller combines with single-pass printing engines, high-resolution inkjet technology and UV curable inks to deliver a lower cost-per-copy and faster return on investment. The new system gives newspaper publishers the ability to output inkjet quality on newsprint in very short runs.

"The :Dotrix DGNews gives newspaper publishers a more efficient and economical way to target small niche markets without having to use their presses. It also enables large newspapers to distribute precise circulation in remote locations. The DGNews can change the way traditional newspapers do business today," said Kristof Dekeukelaere, sales manager, :Dotrix, North America. "This technology that comes together in this complete system delivers high-end color at the lowest cost-per-copy and highest return on investment for short run printing."