Gent (Belgium), September 27, 2007 - EskoArtwork, the market leader in packaging pre-production solutions, and the Films Business of ExxonMobil Chemical, the leading global supplier of a full range of OPP films, announced today that they have teamed up to develop a complete solution for assuring color accurate digital label printing -a bundle based on PacVantage software and technology.
"On a corporate level, this is strategically an exciting project for EskoArtwork and our customers. We appreciate the opportunity to work with the Films Business of ExxonMobil", remarks Carsten Knudsen, CEO of EskoArtwork. "By combining our expertise in software, color management, and substrates, we will be able to offer our customers in-house proofs predicting press appearance with a color guarantee."
The EskoArtwork & ExxonMobil solution bundle for digital label printing consists of:
- Esko Software Suite 7 color management and workflow software. With PacVantage technology built in, Esko Kaleidoscope and Esko FlexProof will be better positioned than ever before to drive the HP/Indigo press.
- ExxonMobil's Digilyte film. With PacVantage technology, the user can emulate the appearance of an Indigo printed label, and match it on press with little or no adjustment when the label is printed on Digilyte film.
- ExxonMobil PacVantage software delivering proofer certification and remote proofing tools.
- EskoArtwork's and ExxonMobil's expertise in digital label converting and workflows, including training and consultancy.
"By joining forces, EskoArtwork and ExxonMobil Chemical will be able to offer end-to-end control of color - taking proofing off the press, increasing predictability, and reducing waste in digital label production", concludes David Price, Global Sales and Marketing executive for Films Business of ExxonMobil Chemical.
Taking Proofing Off the Press
With PacVantage technology, digital proofs are moved from the press to an inkjet printer in prepress or at the customer's location. The availability of color accurate local and remote proofs means that color decisions can be made up front and that the productivity of the press can be optimized.
The first version of the digital printing bundle is targeted at the digital label converter, a market segment where the predominant printing technology is provided by HP/Indigo. Other bundles will become available over time as PacVantage software and technology is extended to flexible packaging converters.
"Although currently in beta test, results have been very encouraging. EskoArtwork and ExxonMobil have spent the past year integrating PacVantage technology into their software, and conducting trials. Over the past three months, PacVantage technology has demonstrated its ability to 'control color up-front' at a leading label converter," explains Jan De Roeck, EskoArtwork's Director of Solutions Management.
EskoArtwork and ExxonMobil will preview this integrated production system for HP/Indigo presses at LabelExpo Europe 2007 and solicit additional label converters to participate in beta trials.