Ridgefield Park, NJ -- Agfa Graphics announced today that The Union (Grass Valley, CA), a Swift Communications Publication, has become the first newspaper in North America to install the new :Advantage N-SL CtP system from Agfa Graphics. The third generation :Advantage N-SL builds on the success of previous generations while offering greater affordability, reliability and ease of use. The Union chose Agfa's :Advantage N-SL to replace its old film imagesetter, completing Swift's conversion to Agfa CtP at all of its printing facilities.
 
"We are very pleased with what we see from the Agfa Graphics equipment. We were impressed with the small footprint, automated capabilities and with the prompt, competent professionalism from the service department. The :Advantage N-SL install went smoothly and we're seeing excellent results," said Lee Brant, production director, The Union. "It's also very convenient that most issues or questions can be monitored and dealt with remotely saving time and money."
With its unique violet laser imaging system, :Advantage N combines speed and reliability for small to mid-size newspaper and coldset web printers. Violet laser diodes provide a lifetime of use with the lowest cost of ownership.
 
The :Advantage N-SL is designed to handle both AgfaGraphics' current N91-V and the new chemistry-free N92-VCF plate. The :Advantage N-SL can image up to 100 plates per hour, features automatic plate loading from a 100-plate stack loader, and offers on-line processing.
 
The new :Advantage N family of platesetters combines the best of all previous generations into four new exciting models, including the manual :Advantage N-M and :Advantage N-SA, and the automatic plate loading :Advantage N-SL and the :Advantage N-DL.