Ridgefield Park, NJ - May 17, 2006 -- Agfa today announced the first four recipients of its ":Sublima Distinctive Marketing Award" program, a campaign that recognizes those printers that use :Sublima, Agfa's XM (cross-modulated) screening solution and have found unique ways to market themselves and the high caliber of their work. The inaugural winners of the ":Sublima Distinctive Marketing Awards" are: - Holden Color (Simi Valley, CA) - Kempenfelt Graphics Group (Barrie, Ontario) - Pacific Printing (Fresno, CA) - Ramsey Press (Mahwah, NJ) This award goes out to customers who have come up with exceptional ways of distinguishing themselves in the marketplace through self-promotional campaigns, publicity and marketing events. "These inaugural award recipients have risen above a commodity mindset, and have actively positioned their inimitable quality and value propositions to their respective markets with their own :Sublima-enabled campaigns," said Steve Musselman, senior manager for the Market Development of Digital Solutions and Emerging Technologies for Agfa Graphics, North America. "Excellence is more than a simple screening solution. These companies have differentiated themselves by incorporating a broader attention to consistent quality that goes beyond the dots on the printed sheet. Agfa's :Sublima screening, part of Agfa Graphics' broader pre-press portfolio, is merely a tool, that when implemented by visionary partners such as these award recipients, helps to position companies, and the industry itself, for continued growth through distinctive marketing." Too often, printers have made price the differentiator to their customers, affecting their own profit margins. While that is certainly a path one can take, Agfa salutes those that seek the more creative avenues, while at the same time, holding their own work and craft in the highest regard. "The difference is marketing, how printers position themselves to their clients," said Susan Wittner, Agfa Graphics marketing director, North America. "Business industry experts concede that all business enterprises have two basic functions -innovating and marketing. Marketing is the function of the business that helps your innovations stand out. For creating, communicating and delivering value to your customers and for managing your customer relationships in ways that benefit your organization and it stakeholders, Agfa salutes you." For using a variety of technologies and innovations, Agfa is presenting customers with "Distinctive Marketing Awards." The ":Sublima Distinctive Marketing Award" is the first in a series of awards for customers who use marketing to differentiate themselves and their solutions. For those interested in learning more, please contact Steve Musselman at [email protected].