Vienna, Austria, Ifra 07 - Stand B620 - 9 October 2007  - Axel Springer AG, Berlin, has decided to use the cross-modulated raster technology of :Sublima from Agfa Graphics across all its printing sites in Germany. By the end of the year, the innovative software - which creates photo-realistic results in newsprint with maximum detail reproduction, smooth surfaces and homogenous development - will be installed in all the RIPs of the newspaper publishing house including print sites in Ahrensburg, Berlin-Spandau, Essen-Kettwig, Munich and Neu-Isenburg. :Sublima is already used to print the Berliner Morgenpost in Berlin and Die Welt in Ahrensburg, as well as for the supplements Golf Magazin and Icon.
"We have established through copious tests that we can significantly increase the print quality of our newspapers, advertising papers, supplements and all semi-commercials in general by using :Sublima. This applies both to printing on different sorts of newspaper and on 'difficult' materials such as extremely white matte paper. As a result, the attractiveness of our publications to our readers and advertisers will be increased once again, thanks to this innovative raster technology. We will also be able to join the International Newspaper Color Quality Club run by Ifra, using our titles Berliner Morgenpost and Die Welt," said Olaf Hopf, head of the pre-press division of the Berlin newspaper publishing group, clarifying the main reasons behind the investment decision.
"With :Sublima, we can realize a tonal range of 1% to 99% for newsprint, whilst traditional raster technology is limited to a range of 3% to 85%," said Hopf, explaining the difference. A photo-realistic quality can be achieved for images and these are characterized by particular homogeneity, which once again improves the general impression given by the newspaper. The finest details can be reproduced cleanly in print, such as negative mini fonts in logos. "In this way, we can raise our newspapers to a top quality level with simple resources and give them a totally different image," said Hopf. The company has already succeeded in attracting advertising customers for its Golf Magazin and Icon supplements, despite these customers having previously left newspapers and newspaper-like publications out of their media planning.
In :Sublima, Agfa Graphics has combined the advantages of conventional and frequency-modulated raster technologies. As a result, the cross-modulated raster technology creates stable transmission of the areas of light and shade in images while reducing the risk of object moirés. :Sublima achieves excellent newsprint results, particularly in combination with the image enhancement solution :IntelliTune. :IntelliTune automatically analyses the quality of the images (which usually come from very different sources in newspaper production) and raises them to a unified level in a few seconds. This, amongst other things, contributes to a homogenous appearance that was previously unknown in newspapers and advertising papers. :Sublima is now used worldwide in hundreds of commercial, packaging and newspaper printing companies.
Rainer Kirschke, Newspaper Sales Manager for the Europe Central region at Agfa Graphics, said: "Agfa Graphics has set itself the target of developing innovative tools, particularly for newsprint, so that newspaper publishers and printers can significantly increase the quality of their publications and make their processes more efficient and safe, while simultaneously reducing costs. We are pleased that Axel Springer AG has chosen to recognise this commitment by deciding to use our cross-modulated raster technology :Sublima."