Chicago, Ill – GRAPH EXPO (Booth #4024) – October 10, 2004 – Agfa's new :Acento platesetter, a 4-up thermal system, is now commercially available and shipping in North America. Launched at Drupa, the :Acento is making its North America debut at Graph Expo, where it will be available for demonstrations in Lastra's booth (#4050). Agfa-Gevaert recently acquired Lastra, in a deal that closed at the end of August. :Acento runs a variety of Agfa plates, including the new :Azura chemistry-free plate, Lastra's LT-2, a positive working plate that does not require pre- or post-baking, and Agfa's :Thermostar P970 plate, ideal for printers who want longer run lengths with optional baking. "The launch of :Acento broadens Agfa's 4-up offering. Customers interested in the lowest cost of ownership have turned to our violet-based :Palladio CtP system, and the new :Acento will please those customers whose applications demand thermal technology," said Agfa's David Furman, senior marketing manager, CtP Systems, North America. "The :Acento will also please those customers looking to use a chemistry-free plate, such as our new :Azura. About :Acento. :Acento brings the full automation, quality and reliability of thermal imaging to medium size printers looking for a thermal option. :Acento comes in a variety of configurations, each featuring different levels of automation and speeds, depending on the customer's needs. For example, depending on the plate used, the :Acento E can produce up to 10 plates per hour, while the :Acento S can produce up to 20 plates per hour. There are also three plate loaders available. The :Acento L-300 plateloader keeps 300 plates online in three cassettes (including slipsheet removal); the :Acento L-100 plateloader keeps 100 plates online in a single cassette (including slipsheet removal); and the :Acento L-50 plateloader with manual slipsheet removal keeps 50 plates online.