ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill. April 17, 2008 --  Screen, the leading manufacturer of computer-to-plate (CTP) recorders, has pioneered the development of a thermal CTP device that supports the largest plate format in the world. The PlateRite Ultima 48000 series will enable printing companies to achieve the highest level of productivity possible from the newest generation of 80-page and 96-page commercial web offset presses.

Screen will introduce the remarkable ultralarge-format platesetter at the Drupa 2008 International Trade Fair, May 29-June 11 in Düsseldorf, Germany.

The introduction of breakthrough printing technologies aimed at shorter run lengths and higher pagination has inspired many companies to investigate the benefits of integrating wide web presses into their production lines. The PlateRite Ultima series continues to offer larger format capacity, faster imaging speeds and more flexible automation. With the PlateRite Ultima 48000, Screen brings to the graphics industry a unit capable of imaging significantly larger plates than CTP recorders previously available on the market.

The PlateRite Ultima 48000 combines Screen's expertise in laser imaging technology, reliability and ease of use into a powerfully productive unit. This versatile system ensures precise imaging onto plate sizes up to 114.1 x 53.1 inches (2,900 mm x 1,350 mm), the equivalent of 96 A4-size pages.

In addition to the PlateRite Ultima 48000, Screen has developed the PlateRite Ultima 40000 to satisfy the plate needs of 80-page web presses. Featuring a smaller footprint than the PlateRite Ultima 48000, the PlateRite Ultima 40000 supports 89.7 x 62.9-inch  (2,280 mm x 1,600 mm) plates, the equivalent of 80 A4-size pages.

Sales of the PlateRite Ultima 48000 and PlateRite Ultima 40000 will commence in June 2008. The PlateRite Ultima 48000 will be available on a production-by-order basis.

To learn more about the PlateRite Ultima 48000 and PlateRite Ultima 40000 at Drupa 2008, visit the Screen exhibition area in Hall 8b, Stand A61.