HUDSON, N.H., Oct. 7 - Presstek, Inc., a leading provider of direct digital imaging technology, today announced that it is furthering its commitment to supporting DI customers and partners, by implementing several new marketing and support initiatives, including expansion of its DI sales team, participation at DI Open Houses, exhibiting at the annual Xplor Conference, as well as the expansion and revamping of its online resource for DI information, www.DIdirectory.com, and sponsorship of the new Digital Printing Council. "Over the past few months, we have worked hard to pick up the pace in implementing our DI strategy," said Presstek's President and CEO Edward Marino. "We have concentrated on listening to input from our partners and DI users and more effectively communicating the many benefits of DI printing, from high quality and speed to low cost per page. We have also made a commitment to providing support for our partners' sales efforts. I am pleased with the hard work demonstrated by our DI team, and we plan to keep up the pace and level of commitment." Successful Ryobi 3404DI Installations Stan Najmr, Presstek's General Manager, On-Press Imaging said, "We are receiving feedback from the field indicating that printers and their customers are realizing the benefits of DI printing." "I have been in the industry 30 years and the Ryobi 3404DI is by far the nicest press out there. It's a wonderful product with super quality that is convenient and easy to operate," reports Bill Hunsaker, General Manager, Central Coast Printing. "Prior to our DI purchase we spent considerable time evaluating the merits of conventional offset vs. a direct image press. Once we decided that a DI was the machine for us, we chose the Ryobi DI. We are very pleased with the performance and the results we have gotten from the machine. The print quality is excellent. The waterless ink and lack of chemistry makes the machine easy to operate. We have found the Ryobi DI to be a reliable performer and great addition to our equipment line," said Tom Gardner, President, Curry Printing. Ryobi 3404DI In-Plant Seminar & Open House Presstek will participate in an upcoming In-Plant Printer Seminar and Open House hosted by Xpedx Import Group on December 4-5 in the Seattle, Washington area. According to Mike Chadwick, Presstek's DI Product Line Marketing Manager, "In-plants are proving ideal candidates for DI printing because DI presses offer advantages specific to their environment, from speed and quality to low cost of ownership. DI presses have no click charges, offer low monthly maintenance contracts, and provide many other cost-savings benefits. We are working hard to educate users on these topics, and the seminars and open houses are ideal vehicles for accomplishing this." Expanded DI Sales Team As part of Presstek's market-focused strategy to better support DI sales and customers, Presstek recently expanded its DI team. In addition, Presstek today announced the realignment of two other key managers for its DI management team: Tom Leibrant is now DI Business Manager for the Central Region, and Ross Peterman is now DI Business Manager for the Western Region. Leibrandt and Peterman, who combined have 10 years experience with Presstek, are now responsible for supporting and promoting Presstek's DI customers and partners in their respective regions of the U.S. Heidelberg Digital Imaging Association (HDIA) Presstek is pleased to continue its commitment to Heidelberg users through its continuing sponsorship of the Heidelberg Digital Imaging Association (HDIA). HDIA is an independent, nonprofit organization of printing, publishing, and graphic arts companies that use Heidelberg digital technologies in production. Presstek will be present at Directions 2002, the 14th annual HDIA user group meeting, which will convene immediately following Graph Expo at the Hyatt McCormick Place on October 9th through October 11th. "We look forward to supporting HDIA as well as attending the Directions conferences each year. HDIA provides us with a great opportunity to be in front of key DI users, allowing us to interact with them, as well as listen to their concerns, needs and successes. We are proud to sponsor this very active and prestigious community of users," said Carl Brucher, Presstek's Global Brand Manager, Quickmaster DI. Expanded & Revamped www.DIdirectory.com Presstek has launched an expanded and revamped version of www.DIdirectory.com, the comprehensive online source for DI information, applications, technology and resources for graphic designers. The goal of www.DIdirectory.com is to provide graphic designers and print buyers with a one-stop source for technology information, as well as to offer a platform for content creators to showcase and communicate ideas, suggestions or other information with their peers. Presstek's Marketing Manager, On-press Business Unit, Brian Wolfenden said, "The DIdirectory site is now easier to navigate, more dynamic, and populated with an abundance of relevant content for designers and print buyers. The goal of the site is to provide educational information about how DI printing can deliver offset-quality printing faster and more cost- effectively than other printing methods. Potential buyers of DI presses are telling us that the site is also a good source of information for them during their buying process." The expanded site features: * Find a DI Printer -- Designers and print buyers will find it easier to locate a DI printer worldwide using the "Find A DI Printer" map and listing. * Featured Projects -- DI printers interested in being listed or showcasing their work are invited to submit their projects. * Why DI? -- A Q&A on DI technology and its benefits. * Featured DI Printer -- Find out about leading DI printers worldwide. * Industry Articles -- Lists useful articles on DI topics of interest. * (Useful Links -- Features links to more information on DI Presses, as well as great designer and paper sites. * Product Literature -- Access product literature from today's leading DI manufacturers and suppliers. * DI Forum -- Designed as an open opportunity for all to ask questions about Direct Imaging. Share stories of triumph or ask a question or two. Representatives from the DI community will answer questions posted to the forum. * Newsletter -- Offers easy access to issues of Presstek's "Direction" newsletter. Presstek at Xplor Conference In an information display, Presstek will exhibit at the upcoming Xplor 2002, the 23rd Global Electronic Document Systems Conference & Exhibition, set to take place October 27 to October 30, 2002 at the Anaheim Convention Center in California. Xplor International, the worldwide electronic document systems association, is sponsoring this major global event. More than 5,000 professionals from more than 40 countries are expected to attend. Digital Printing Council Presstek is pleased to announce that it has signed on to be a sponsor of the Digital Printing Council (DPC). The mission of the DPC is to provide the graphic communications industry with programs and services to enable those companies considering or involved in digital- and variable-data printing to operate profitably. Formed in 1995, members are owners, presidents, prepress managers, and vice presidents of marketing and manufacturing in graphic arts companies, and their customers. The DPC specifically targets marketing professionals and designers in its new outreach seminar programs to heighten awareness of digital printing applications. The DPC collaborates, and shares its resources with, Printing Industries of America, the Graphic Arts Technical Foundation, the Rochester Institute of Technology and other organizations.