DUSSELDORF, GERMANY -- May 14, 2008 -- ECRM today announced the launch of WorkMates 3.0, an entry-level workflow solution that has been expanded with six new optional production tools. The six new tools include TrapMate, CIPMate, ScreenMate, ProofMate, ColorMate, and ICCMate. Added to the original four WorkMates production tools, users can now choose from 10 different options to accelerate and automate tasks. ECRM will be exhibiting WorkMates 3.0 at Drupa 2008 (May 29th to June 11th in Dusseldorf, Germany) in Hall 9, Stand C56. For more information about ECRM, go to www.ecrm.com.  
 
ECRM Quote
 
WorkMates is specifically engineered to help small to mid-sized commercial printers to simplify and automate standard production tasks, notes ECRM Software Manager Mike Mierjeski. There isnt a more affordable workflow solution to address these basic prepress needs. What customers like is that WorkMates is scalable. If a printer decides that they want stochastic screening or color critical ICC matched proofs, all they need to do is add a plug-in module. WorkMates simplifies digital prepress workflow issues and increases efficiency through significantly reduced prepress, make-ready and production times.
 

New Optional WorkMates Tools
 
  TrapMate:  TrapMate uses object-based/vector-based rules to determine where traps are applied. This in-RIP trapping has full n-color support -- both CMYK and spot colors and shaded fill support, and easily accommodates special inks. Trap sets are created in RIPMates TrapPro Management dialog where specified parameters are configured and saved in the RIP for reuse. The Highlight Trap feature allows for soft proof preview of trap placement, eliminating surprises on press.
 
  CIPMate:  One of the greatest timesaving features for offset printing is automatic ink control on press. To be highly productive and competitive, this ability is a must. By adding CIPMate to RIPMate, the printer saves make-ready time and ink. PDF files are created at the same time the plate is produced, eliminating the need to print the file twice. Simple set-up is handled through the Device Dialog.
 
  ScreenMate:  The ability to supply printed jobs with FM screening gives print providers a strong competitive advantage. ScreenMate is based on Harlequin HDS screening, offering increased sharpness over conventional screening methods. Additionally, HDS has corrected many of the deficiencies in other stochastic screening techniques to provide a robust and high quality screening solution for a wide variety of printing applications.
 
  ProofMate: Epson, HP, Canon and Encad:  ProofMate supports a wide variety of proofing options, including the most popular ink-jet proofers from Epson and HP. Adding the ProofMate module to WorkMates closes color proofing loops, as using the same RIP for proofing and making plates ensures data integrity. ProofMate includes Harlequin Error Diffusion Screening designed specifically for inkjet devices, thus avoiding image artifacts in color proofs. ProofMate also comes with preset ICC color profiles, including calibration sets and full color profiles optimized for a variety of ink/media/ resolution combinations, providing an excellent out-of-the-box color proofing tool
 
  ColorMate:  ColorMate provides tools for color process control, delivering accurate, consistent and predictable color reproduction, and full support for industry-standard ICC profiles (including device ink profiles). By using in-RIP Color Management, decisions about color and output devices can be targeted (or re-targeted) to a particular printing process or proofer at the last moment without requiring any changes in the job itself.
 
  ICCMate:  ICCMate (SetGoldPro) is a wizard-based color utility tool that creates high quality gray balance or Golden State input, emulation, and output profiles optimized for RIPMate to satisfy todays color-accurate proofing requirements. Color-accurate proofing is only possible if devices can be calibrated and profiles can be optimized for a given ink, substrate, screening and resolution combination. ICCMate draws from the latest Graphic Arts Community research to deliver solutions for color profile making, resulting in greater color accuracy.