Vandalia, OH, September 21, 2005 – Esko-Graphics, the world leader in digital imaging of flexo plates, announces that Southern Graphics Systems, headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, ordered two Esko-Graphics Cyrel Digital Imager (CDI) Advance 5080 with Optics 80 computer to flexo plate imagers at Print '05 in Chicago. "This brings our total number of CDIs company-wide to twenty," remarks Gary Bernier, SGS corporate director of technology. "Since our first CDI installation in 1997, we have seen dramatic growth in the acceptance of digital flexo. Many of our existing and new customers demand the improved quality digital flexo delivers. Esko-Graphics' CDI has become an integral part of our strategy to improve the quality and time to execute the flexo prepress process. This acquisition provides greater capacity to serve those demands and meet our goals." In 1995, Esko-Graphics introduced the Cyrel Digital Imager (CDI), the first digital platesetter for flexographic plates. A GATF and FTA Award winner, CDIs represent 73% of all digital platesetters installed globally. The CDI Advance 5080 is the world's most advanced digital flexo imaging device, serving the highest quality flexo applications, primarily for flexible packaging, folding cartons, corrugated and labels. Along with exceptional ease of operation and dual use of plates and sleeves, the CDI Advance 5080 8-beam optics guarantees the finest details on - flexo plates. It is equipped with a loading table that can be mounted either on the front or the back of the machine, creating the best possible accessibility for the operator, assisting in the loading and unloading of plates and sleeves. Furthermore, the CDI Advance 5080 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 guarantee, when dismantling and mounting, easy and complete ergonomic access to the drum or mandrels. By imaging a full format 50" x 80" plate in 19 minutes (86 sqft/h), the CDI Advance 5080 with Optics 80 matches the fastest plate processing equipment available in the industry. Last year, Esko-Graphics reported that SGS installed a CDI imager at their facility in St. Louis, MO. At that time, the CDI Advance was one of three purchased by the Louisville, Kentucky-based company. "Esko-Graphics has long been a trusted partner in delivering high quality flexo printing to our clients," continues Bernier. "Their continuous advancements confirm our confidence in them." "SGS was one of the first companies to adopt digital flexo by installing a CDI Classic SingleBeam in 1997. That CDI is still a workhorse today," comments Mark Vanover, Esko-Graphics director of marketing. "We are pleased that the integration of CDI Advance system supports SGS customers' packaging initiatives to improve speed to market, optimize reproduction quality, and reduce total system cost."