Gent (Belgium), September 9, 2008 – At this year's Labelexpo Americas, EskoArtwork is demonstrating the power of a single, unified workflow for mixed digital and conventional tag and label production, and its ability to deliver consistent color across multiple printing processes.

A unified end-to-end workflow, from design to finishing, becomes increasingly important as label and tag printers adopt digital presses, and start manufacturing in hybrid production environments, combining litho, flexo, screen and digital printing as the job type and run length may require.

"There is little room for trial and rework in today's highly competitive world of label printing", says Carsten Knudsen, President and CEO of EskoArtwork. "Label converters have long relied on EskoArtwork solutions to optimize press time, increase pre-production throughput and deliver consistent and predictable quality regardless of the print technology used. These solutions ensure brand and color integrity across their entire production platform."

EskoArtwork will demonstrate label and tag production advances on its own booth (5202), as well as jointly with HP Indigo (Booth 6623), Epson (Booth 6523) and Xeikon/Punch Graphix (Booth 6135). Show visitors will have the opportunity to view live demonstrations of real-world applications and to speak with EskoArtwork experts. This way they can collect the essential information to develop successful investment strategies for the future.

"EskoArtwork is pleased to collaborate with these digital printing industry leaders to provide the efficiency and versatility the tag and label producers requires", continues Knudsen. "Adding digital presses, the need for color expert services and device-independent color management solutions becomes even more apparent. Together with our partners, we bring to the digital label workflow the same level of color excellence and production efficiency that our customers have long relied upon with conventional production processes. Our presence in our partner's booths at Labelexpo Americas is a validation of our joint commitment to the label and tag market."

 

Labelexpo Americas marks the introduction of the HP Indigo ws6000, driven by the HP Indigo Labels and Packaging Server, powered by EskoArtwork's Digital Front End

With the introduction at Labelexpo of the HP Indigo ws6000, HP continues its tradition of offering a digital front end from EskoArtwork to meet the demanding color and throughput needs of the label and packaging market. The HP Indigo Labels and Packaging Server, powered by EskoArtwork, is now available for users of all presses HP offers for the label and packaging market, including the HP Indigo ws4000, ws4050, ws4500 and ws6000 digital presses. Developed in collaboration with HP, this server gives HP Indigo customers enhanced abilities to increase shop floor productivity and elevate prepress capabilities for digital label production.

EskoArtwork also collaborated with HP to deliver the HP Indigo Labels and Packaging Color Kit, powered by EskoArtwork. This high-end color management solution gives users the ability to quickly and cost-effectively match brand colors on proof and press, regardless of the print process. The HP Indigo Labels and Packaging Color Kit incorporates the EskoArtwork Kaleidoscope device-independent color engine and results in precise and repeatable color matching.

Also on display in the HP booth will be EskoArtwork PacVantage software and technology for digitally printed labels. Converters who prepare their jobs using EskoArtwork software with PacVantage technology and print them on ExxonMobil Chemical's Digilyte polyolefin films are guaranteed to be able to make color adjustments during the proofing stage, matching them on press with little or no adjustment (further information on EskoArtwork's PacVantage software and technology can be found in the attached press release).

In addition, EskoArtwork WebCenter, a web based project management and pre-production approval solution allowing management of projects and documents from anywhere with an Internet connection, will be demonstrated in both the HP and EskoArtwork booths.

Nexus/Backstage to play central role in digital label printing demonstrations

In addition to RIP and color management tools, EskoArtwork will be demonstrating an automated prepress workflow featuring EskoArtwork Nexus and BackStage, a suite of JDF-compliant client/server applications that maximize productivity, repeatability and consistency in any workflow, seamlessly integrating with business systems such as MIS or ERP. These integrated solutions can be seen in the EskoArtwork booth as well as in the HP, Epson and Xeikon booths. In addition, the Xeikon booth will feature EskoArtwork PackEdge and ArtPro prepress editors.