HUDSON, N.H., Sept. 6 -- Presstek, Inc., a leading manufacturer and marketer of environmentally responsible high tech digital imaging solutions for the graphic arts and laser imaging markets, today announced controlled availability of Presstek Aurora chemistry-free thermal plates. Non-proprietary Presstek Aurora plates are designed to operate with Creo Trendsetter and Screen PlateRite thermal CTP systems. "With Presstek Aurora, we are making high-quality chemistry-free plates available to a substantial percentage of the thermal platesetter installed base," said Edward J. Marino, President & CEO of Presstek. "This announcement reinforces Presstek's commitment to delivery of non-proprietary consumables that bring the benefits of chemistry-free platemaking to the broader market." Presstek Aurora thermal chemistry-free plates are available in thicknesses of .008" and .012" (.20 and .30 mm) and sizes up 48" x 54" with high resolution plate imaging at 1-99% for 200 lpi screening, as well as FM screening. Rated for run lengths up to 50,000, these plates are designed to take advantage of maximum platesetter throughput with no degradation in quality or productivity. Once plates are imaged, a simple water wash is all that is required prior to mounting plates on press. Aurora plates are 100% chemistry-free, no chemical processing, baking, or gumming is required, resulting in significant savings in time and materials. Presstek Aurora plates are completely daylight safe and combine the performance characteristics of traditional grained anodized aluminum thermal CTP printing plates with state-of-the-art printing plate technology to deliver superior pressroom functionality with excellent oleophilic/hydrophilic (ink- water balance) properties. "When I decided to move to computer-to-plate from our previous film process," said Steve Feldman, CEO of Clear Copy in Boynton Beach, Florida, "a major requirement was the ability to use chemistry-free plates. Nearly a year ago, I was one of the first shops to use Presstek Aurora chemistry-free thermal plates on a Screen PlateRite 4100, I have been amazed at the improved quality I am achieving. It is almost as though I have a completely new water system on my press. It is a year older, has a few million more impressions, and it runs better then it ever did before." Presstek has completed a successful beta program consisting of a variety of users, applications and plate sizes, and in a variety of shop sizes. Presstek will initially market the Aurora plate product in the United States directly to larger shops that are ready to capitalize on the benefits of true chemistry-free CTP. "We are a small, high quality shop and the cost of both the chemistry and maintaining that chemistry can be prohibitive for us," said Bucky Koehler, Prepress Supervisor for Gerardi Press. "By implementing Presstek Aurora thermal chemistry free plates with our 8-up Creo Trendsetter, we have been able to bypass chemistry altogether, and we are able to easily meet both our quality and throughput requirements." "As the interest in chemistry-free platemaking continues to heat up," added Marino, "Presstek is pleased at the role our leadership has played in making this a viable market. Not only is chemistry-free platemaking more productive and cost-effective than conventional chemistry-based CTP, but it has the added advantage of environmental responsibility. We expect Presstek Aurora to meet with eager adoption among owners of Creo and Screen CTP systems who understand the true benefits of chemistry-free platemaking. Our solutions are designed to simplify the way people print by eliminating steps, materials and labor through technology advancement."