HUDSON, N.H., July 24 -- Presstek, Inc., a leading provider of direct digital imaging technology, today announced an agreement with Creo Inc. under which Presstek's Anthem chemistry- free thermal plate can be bundled with new sales of Creo 4-page and 8-page Trendsetter Quantum computer-to-plate (CTP) systems in the United States, Europe and Canada. Trendsetter Quantum platesetters use Creo-patented SQUAREspot thermal imaging heads to interchangeably expose film and plates for conventional and waterless printing. Presstek's Anthem plates, which require no chemical processing, combine the performance characteristics of traditional anodized aluminum printing plates with the accuracy and efficiency of chemistry-free, thermal computer-to-plate imaging. Presstek announced in April that Creo had successfully qualified the Anthem plate for use on the Trendsetter Quantum devices when equipped with the Processless Option. As a result, both new and existing Trendsetter Quantum customers can gain access to another solid media choice - the Anthem plate. Anthem has been available in the market for two years and is also used on Presstek's Dimension series of thermal platesetters. "With this agreement, we are giving Creo customers easy access to yet another choice of qualified imaging media," said Paul Beaumont, Creo Product Manager, Applied Imaging and Media, "as well as offering them the economic and operational advantage of eliminating a plate processor. This is an example of the important trend toward the use of processless plates together with thermal imaging." "We believe the combination of Presstek's market-leading, process-free CTP plate technology and Creo's market-leading platesetters is a winning proposition for CTP users," said David Ventola, Presstek General Manager, Off- Press Business. "This is an important expansion of the sales channel for Presstek's Anthem plates. We are pleased to be able to team with Creo to offer this powerful technology combination to CTP users." Anthem plates will be exhibited in both the Creo and Presstek booths at the Graph Expo trade show in Chicago, October 6 - 9, 2002.