Hudson, NH - April 30, 2004 - Presstek, a leading developer of digital laser imaging and chemistry-free plate technologies for the printing and graphic arts industries, today announced the availability of its new ProFire Digital Media. ProFire Digital Media leverages Presstek’s experience and success with PearlDry, the industry’s leading thermal plate for on-press imaging applications. ProFire Digital Media is optimized for use with digital offset presses utilizing Presstek’s new ProFire Excel imaging technology. The media/laser system provides a 16-micron laser spot at 2540 dpi while supporting FM (stochastic), hybrid screening, and AM (conventional) up to 300 lines per inch (120 l/cm); setting a new standard in quality for on-press printing applications. Additional key benefits of the ProFire Excel Printing System include: - An automated easy cleaning process that improves efficiency - Support for a wide range of waterless inks - Uniformed ink lay-down resulting in a faster rise to color - Reduced paper waste - Use of less ink - Run lengths to 20,000 - Chemistry-free, environmentally friendly printing. Peter Bouchard, Presstek’s General Manager of On-press Imaging said, "With this new generation of DI presses, printers now have more flexibility to provide their customers with high quality, short run color printing at a low cost per page." Bouchard added, "The cost and production barriers of printing 300 line screen work have been removed, 300 line screen work can now be done with the push of a button. ProFire Digital Media is designed so that printers can now profitably meet the increasing demand for quality short run offset work by migrating volume from conventional presses and toner based equipment to a cost efficient printing system that is engineered to better meet the demands of the short run color printing market." Initially, ProFire Digital Media will be sold for use with ProFire Excel enabled DI presses. Future planned enhancements are expected to make the plate material available for use with the entire range of Presstek-enabled DI presses.