Vandalia, OH – July 10, 2003 - Esko-Graphics announces one of the first U.S. installations of the new CDI Advance flexographic platesetter at Art LithoCraft Company (ALC), a Kansas City-based trade shop serving printers and corporations. The CDI Advance was purchased during the CMM International Conference and Exposition, held in Chicago from April 14-17. Since 1949, ALC has provided platemaking, color separating and assembly services to the advertising, packaging and printing industries. Their staff of more than 60 dedicated professionals has supported the flexo industry for over thirty years, making plates for narrow web, wide web and corrugated applications. The company, which had previously been producing analog polymer plates from films, was looking for better quality. “By producing higher quality plates with the CDI Advance, we intend to acquire new business,” remarks Byron Pendleton, ALC vice president. “There are some new accounts we will be able to serve effectively because the digital plates will be able to hold highlight and shadow dots exceptionally well. We also expect our new plates will reduce makeready time.” The CDI Advance was chosen because of its speed and ease of use with the Easy-Clamp drum system. ALC was also looking for a platesetter whose product line had demonstrated long-term success, along with the ability to produce sleeves. “Although other companies are working to produce sleeves on their platesetters, Esko-Graphics has already demonstrated that the CDI Advance is capable of doing so in the field,” says Mr. Pendleton. The CDI Advance is a newly engineered digital flexographic platesetter. It allows for more ease of operation and dual use of plates and sleeves, assuring the highest quality level. Available in three productivity levels from approximately 5 to 13 square feet per hour, the CDI Advance 8-beam optics guarantees the finest details on the flexo plates. The CDI Advance is equipped with a loading table that can be mounted either on the front or the back of the machine, hence creating the best possible accessibility for the operator, to assist in the loading and unloading of plates and sleeves. Furthermore, the CDI Advance can mount EasyClamp drums (50”x80” and 42”x60”) and has a Sleeve option with mandrel/drum exchange support. The latter two require minimal effort from the operator and guarantees, when dismantling and mounting, easy and all ergonomic access to the drum or mandrels. “A significant reason we looked at the CDI Advance was due to our strong relationship with Pitman. Although we know that Esko-Graphics has a good service background and stands behind their products, we felt comfortable with Pitman as a partner,” adds Byron. The CDI Advance will become part of ALC’s FlexoSystems prepress operation, which includes complete workflow and proofing services. The platesetter will be receiving one-bit TIFF images from a third-party workflow system. ALC staff is currently training with the platesetter, allowing their four operators to acquire the knowledge they need to produce plates efficiently.