May 06, 2008 -- The Minneapolis Star Tribune, one of the nation's top 20 largest daily newspapers, has purchased three :Advantage CLS Computer-to-Plate units from Agfa Graphics. The Star Tribune has also purchased :Arkitex software including :Arkitex Director, :Arkitex Autoplan, and :Arkitex Afirma. The sale was made at NEXPO 2008 in Washington DC.

The :Advantage CLS CtP system has a simple internal design that requires less maintenance, which helps keep costs and downtime to a minimum. Its reliable violet-laser diode has an expected lifetime of more than 7 years which also keeps costs low. The :Advantage CLS is a cassette loading system with a throughput of up to 220 plates per hour. It can be configured for multiple plate sizes without requiring customization, and can conveniently use different plate sizes on a day-to-day basis.
The Star Tribune has also added :Arkitex workflow software including:

    * :Arkitex Director - a control center for the entire workflow, automating complex tasks with ease and allowing the monitoring of production all the way to press;
   
    * :Arkitex Afirma - a process control solution that maximizes productivity via an easy-to-use health monitoring system that ensures plate quality, day-in and day-out;
   
    * :Arkitex AutoPlan - a solution that automates the entire printing process saving time and increasing workflow efficiency. AutoPlan provides automatic set-up of editions, pages, colors and plate positions. It also defines the target production, checks for press compatibility, and ensures that the right plates are produced in the right quality at the right time.

Agfa is the leading workflow and digital plate provider to the newspaper industry around the world. More than half of the World's Newspapers are being produced today with a key production component from Agfa Graphics.