CHICAGO, IL. Displaying the strength and wisdom expected from a market leader, no one understands the small and mid-sized format printer better than A.B.Dick-Multigraphics Company. The proof can be found at this year's Graph Expo show where A.B.Dick introduced no less than six new products affecting the prepress, press and post-press process during the four-day venue. A.B.Dick has partnered with Encad to develop deSign U., a turnkey wide format custom poster, sign and banner solution. The company will continue its relationship with Watkiss to distribute the unique SpineMaster booklet maker, with ISP to unveil the Stitch'n Fold booklet maker, and with Baumfolder Corp. for the new Baum 31.5" cutter. Additionally, A.B.Dick will continue taking 2-color offset printing to the next level with the semi-automated 9995-A offset press, and the 9995A-ICS, which comes with a separate ink control system. The company is hopeful the new ScanMaster digital scanning solution revolutionizes that process as the Digital PlateMaster (DPM) line did when it reached the market four years ago. The new Open Proof and EasyTrap software systems will streng- then the DPM line, and the PowerPro 34, a dynamic 2-color portrait press, makes its debut. One announcement made at the press conference was the introduction of I.Q. Knowledgebase, a 24/7 on-line support system for customers to obtain service-related answers through the A.B.Dick Web (www.abdick.com) site. This program represents the company's first venture into e-business applications. The introductory phase is limited to DPM line customers, but will be expanded to include all digital products later this year. The deSign U. wide format printer is a turnkey program aimed at the quick print market. Using Professor D. Sign custom software, the highest quality A.B.Dick inks available, and Encad's NovaJet 630 digital color printer, a poster can be created without any previous de- sign skills. A large selection of counter book templates and 25,000 clipart images is avail- able to choose from. Users can change text, graphics, background colors and typestyles. ScanMaster offers outstanding off-the-glass capability for direct-to-plate work. Its features will immediately benefit the DPM2000 and DPM2340 digital platemaker product lines, and will be available for the A.B.Dick Colour digital press by the end of the year. Camera ready or previously printed black and white or color work is de-screened by using a scanner to make it direct-to-plate ready. In turn, it generates smoother proofs and eliminates moirÈ problems on previously printed originals. The A.B.Dick 9995-A is the company's newest small format, true 2-color offset press. A digital compatible press, it offers a semi-automatic plate changer. A separate unit, the A.B.Dick 9995A-ICS, offers its own ink control system. Both presses deliver consistent color quality and simplify press operations by greatly reducing make ready time. The PowerPro 34 is a dynamic, 2-color twin tower portrait press that was shown at last year's show as a prototype model. It offers increased productivity, superior quality and incredible versatility usually associated only with larger presses. Features include a stream feeder, a convertible dampener system, and the ability to run with polyester plates. The Open Proof and Easy Trap software solutions improve performance of the DPM2000 and DPM2340 digital platemakers. Open Proof offers superior digital imaging accuracy with greater integrity and the ability to perform and output progressive proofs. Any of the 2,3 or 4-colors can be specified in any color combination. Easy Trap improves in-RIP trapping for the DPM line, saving time by trapping all jobs in the RIP. It also cuts costs since it is available in one format for both Mac or PC environments. The unique Watkiss SpineMaster gives any stitched or stapled booklet the appearance of a perfect bound book. Perfect binding of thicker booklets is easy to achieve with the stitched spine, letting booklets open flat with no damage to the spine. Easy to use, it also saves money in reducing bulk by one-third, impacting both packaging and shipping costs. The ISP Stitch'n Fold booklet maker is a cost-effective, in-line finishing system. One huge advantage is its stitching head can produce 65,000 stitches per spools of wire without interruption, more than 10 times greater than any competitor model. Exceptionally fast, it can produce up to 2,300 booklets per hour. It also interfaces with numerous tower collators and customers have the option to customize and build the system in the future. A.B.Dick Company is a leading worldwide supplier to the graphic arts and printing industry, manufacturing and marketing equipment and supplies for all stages of document creation -- prepress, press and post-press -- as well as continuing service and support. For more information, contact Ken Newton, Senior Vice President, Digital Systems and Chief Marketing Officer, 7400 Caldwell Ave., Niles, Illinois 60714. Telephone (847) 779-1900, Fax (847) 647-6940, Web site: www.abdick.com.