IPEX 2002 BIRMINGHAM, UK -- April 11, 2002 -- Creo Inc. is introducing major advances in color management with the release of version 2.5 of the Profile Wizard application. Profile Wizard software enables creative and prepress professionals to maintain optimum color accuracy. "The new version of Profile Wizard software advances color management for many Creo products," says Sharon Ziv-Falk, marketing manager. "Color information is transferred accurately throughout production, which is key to a printer's profitability." The new version creates "manyColors" ICC (International Color Consortium) profiles for greater than four-color process reproduction, such as Hexachrome(r). Future releases will support additional multiple-color profiles. Creating profiles with manyColors enlarges the color gamut and allows accurate reproduction of a wide range of vibrant and subtle colors that can be defined and displayed on monitors as well reproduced in print. As a result, Profile Wizard software users can extend their services beyond four-color reproduction into hi-fi reproduction quality. ICC DeviceLink Profile, a core feature, eliminates a major difficulty -- preserving the black channel, especially for the black separation used for text. This improves print predictability and saves the cost of expensive rework for image and text quality. Profile Wizard 2.5 software now supports two additional spectrophotometers: the high quality GretagMacBeth Eye-One, which is available in a special offer when purchasing the new software version, and the Spectrostar SpectroCam device. Other new features of version 2.5 include auto correction of CMYK profiles with thousands of colors patches. A new Tone Reproduction Curve methodology enhances control over the linearization of proofing and printing devices. Profile Wizard software measures spot colors easily and intelligently calculates the equivalent CMYK values of any destination printer or proofer and now includes PANTONE MATCHING SYSTEM(r) color libraries. The results are easily imported to the spot color libraries of the Brisque and Prinergy(r) workflow systems. "The Profile Wizard application generates customized ICC Profiles that produce better color matches between print work and contract proofs, the original image, or the scanned image," Ms. Ziv-Falk added. Profile Wizard software works with Creo Iris(r) and Spectrum proofing devices; Prinergy and Brisque workflow systems; and Spire color servers for print-on-demand systems. Profile Wizard software also generates ICC profiles and DeviceLink profiles for scanners, digital cameras and monitors.