Drupa Preview, Buren, The Netherlands (February 20, 2004) – Creo Inc. will demonstrate at Drupa 2004 a new integrated hybrid solution that allows commercial printers to add digital printing easily to their current production operations. The new hybrid prepress workflow integrates the Prinergy workflow management system for offset printing with Xerox DocuColor digital color presses. Creo has collaborated with Xerox to allow commercial printers to launch the Xerox FreeFlow Print Manager directly from Prinergy and to submit offset jobs for digital printing to the Spire color servers driving the Xerox digital presses. The Spire color server from Creo optimizes the performance of Xerox DocuColor printers. Integrated in the hybrid workflow, the highly flexible Spire color server provides enhanced image and color quality, high-caliber print quality tools, and variable information printing capabilities for the Xerox DocuColor digital presses. This collaboration between Creo and Xerox is an ideal example of Networked Graphic Production. As NGP Partners, both companies are committed to the goal of the industry-wide initiative—developing open standard solutions that result in increased efficiencies through automation, integration, and cross-vendor interoperability. This development is part of the agreement announced in January 2004. “Commercial printers can now have the flexibility to offer new digital services to meet customer demands for customized printing, short run lengths and faster turnaround,” explained Brent McDonald, Creo product manager. “Being able to add unique digital capabilities such as variable information for personalized printing is a definite growth opportunity for the commercial printer’s business.” Integration Delivers Flexibility Commercial offset printers can now add the capability of digital printing to their prepress department as easily as adding a new proofer. Print jobs can be changed from one press to another with minimal time—and costs—for changeover. Initial work on a print job can be completed without a prior commitment to the particular method of print. At the click of a mouse, operators will instantly direct work to either a digital or an offset press. This workflow allows customers to deliver a full range of printed products with unmatched quality and efficiency. The new hybrid workflow provides full access to the Prinergy and Synapse software toolsets that can be used when assembling and storing the job. This includes the distributed environment of Prinergy, which allows printing commands to be carried out in remote locations. It also includes the ability to submit jobs online, proof remotely, collaborate online, and track job status remotely. To maintain consistency for reprints, the Xerox JDF-based digital print job ticket (DPJT) is archived in the Prinergy job folder and is automatically reused for reprints as part of Prinergy’s job management. Creo Sells DocuColor Digital Presses Creo is reselling the Xerox DocuColor 3535, 5252 and 6060 digital color presses with the Spire color server and other prepress software in the United States and Canada. Creo is also working with the Xerox direct sales force to identify sales opportunities for the DocuColor iGen3 production press. The reseller agreement allows Xerox to increase the penetration of digital presses into commercial print establishments and offers Creo the ability to provide customers with a complete digital printing solution. The digital print integration is an example of Creo’s work with industry partners to integrate solutions, increase automation, improve communications, and provide new business opportunities for printers. Creo and Xerox will demonstrate the new hybrid workflow at Drupa 2004 in Hall 4, Stands B10 and A33.