Kennesaw, GA - February 19, 2003. Esko-Graphics, the graphic arts supplier created in last year's merger between Barco Graphics NV and Purup-Eskofot A/S, will focus visitor attention to its new PlateDriver violet 30mw platesetter at THE CHARLOTTE SHOW, held from March 13-15, 2003 at the Charlotte Convention Center, NC. A PlateDriver 4 semi-automatic platesetter, imaging Western Litho violet polymer plates, will be displayed along with Esko-Graphics scanner and workflow products at the xpedx booth, #617. The PlateDriver 30mw violet platesetter is significant because this technology in combination with violet plates offers a lower operational cost. Violet plates are less expensive to purchase and process, and the polymer plates can last as long as thermal plates. PlateDrivers configured with Esko-Graphics new FreeBeam optics can image either violet silver or violet polymer plates. Without baking, violet polymer plates produce 300,000 impressions of 200 line screen work. With post baking they can go beyond one million impressions. Violet polymer plates and chemistry do not contain silver, and the plates have similar characteristics as conventional UV plates, so present press conditions can be maintained as is. Also, processing chemistry for violet polymer plates lasts up to 32.000 square feet of plate before the processor has to be cleaned and refilled about three times longer than thermal technology. For the average plate department this is equal to a free week of processing.