HUDSON, N.H., July 26 Presstek, Inc. is proud to announce that The Graphic Arts Technical Foundation (GATF) has bestowed a 2001 GATF InterTech Technology Award(TM) recognizing Presstek's innovative Digital Imaging (DI) technologies - ProFire Imaging, Dimension CTP Systems and Anthem thermal plates. Presstek's products were chosen for the prestigious title from 38 submissions. Inaugurated in 1978 to foster awareness and understanding of advanced graphic arts technology, this award honors excellence in innovative technology for the graphic communications industry. "This is a wonderful affirmation of our DI technologies and leadership,'' comments Robert Hallman, Presstek's President and Chief Executive Officer. "We knew at Drupa last May that we had developed significant technology in the area of CTP, imaging and plates for graphic arts and since their introduction and commercialization we've had positive testimony from our users, partners and the industry. The GATF 2001 InterTech Award is a considerable honor and recognition of the impact of our technologies in the graphic arts.'' According to a judge of the GATF 2001 InterTech Award, the Presstek Dimension Computer-to-Plate System, Anthem Thermal Plates, and ProFire Integrated Imaging System technologies were nominated as three separate technologies, although they work together to bring the speed, quality, and cost-savings associated with CTP to a new dimension. When used with Anthem plates for wet offset, the Dimension system can produce plates rated for 100,000 impressions without the need for chemical processing-or ovens for baking the plates. This reduces a printer's cost in equipment, chemistry, chemistry disposal, and energy. Additionally, the ProFire Imaging module's FirePower laser diodes deliver 48 watts of laser power at the imaging surface- the most powerful laser in the industry. The high laser power ensures fast and clean imaging of processless plate material. "This compact system with an extremely small footprint offers high resolution and imaging times at a price that is affordable for all size printers,'' said a judge. GATF sponsors the award and coordinates the award process but does not select the recipients. InterTech Technology Award recipients are chosen by an anonymous judging committee comprised of industry experts and users who are independent of GATF. Companies are not required to be GATF/PIA members to submit technologies for judging. Presstek Customers Speak In a nomination letter to GATF InterTech judging committee, Presstek customer Young's Printing said the day after our Dimension was installed we started making all our plates on the new system and never looked backed. Steve Young, President at Youngs states, "everything we do now is easier, faster and higher quality than before. This is what our customers like we now offer the highest quality printing at lower prices in less time.'' In their nomination letter Blue Ash Printers, Inc. stated since installation and initial adjustments the system has performed to promised levels. Clifford Jones, Blue Ash's President commented "the Dimension can make plates for our smallest duplicator press to our largest 29'' press giving us the confidence to tackle any job requiring high-quality platemaking." He adds, ''The speed at which plates are imaged provides us with a competitive advantage over our competitors." Presstek Partners Speak Presstek also received endorsements for a GATF InterTech Award from partner companies Sakurai, which is utilizing Presstek's ProFire Integrated Imaging System in its Oliver-74EPII-DI series; and Ryobi Limited, for innovation of ProFire as part of its Ryobi 3404DI. Additionally, Xerox offered testimony, "ProFire has provided Xerox with the ability to offer the 'Next Level' of Direct Imaging solutions to the market place,'' wrote Ronald F. Kendig Jr., Xerox General Manager, Direct Imaging Solutions, WorldWide Graphic Arts. "Until today Direct Imaging was considered a niche product with quality limitations that would be overlooked due to turn around time and low cost per sheet. No longer does the print provider need to make trade-offs. The XeroxDocuColor DIs equipped with Presstek's new ProFire Imaging technology yield a 2540 DPI/200 line screen result in under a 5 minute imaging time. "The ProFire design is compact, solid state and completely digital. This technology allows the DocuColor DIs to have maximum accessibility and easy maintenance for replacement or repair. Finally, Presstek lasers are industry renowned for their reliability. The ProFire takes what Presstek did with Pearl and makes it four times better!'' The InterTech Technology Awards will be presented at the Industry Awards Gala, Saturday, October 27, 2001 during the GATF/PIA Administrative Meetings at the Renaissance Vinoy Hotel in St. Petersburg, Florida. About GATF Headquartered near Pittsburgh, Pa., GATF is a member-supported, nonprofit, scientific, technical, and educational organization dedicated to the advancement of graphic communications industries worldwide. For 77 years GATF has developed leading-edge technologies and practices for printing, and each year the Foundation develops new products, services, and training programs to meet the evolving needs of the industry. GATF consolidated with Printing Industries of America in January 1999. Headquartered in Alexandria, Va., PIA is the world's largest graphic arts trade association representing an industry with more than one million employees and $163 billion in sales. Together GATF and PIA promote the interests of more than 13,000 member companies For more information about the 2001 InterTech Technology Award technologies or about the 2002 awards competition, contact Frank Scott, director of research, at GATF, 200 Deer Run Road, Sewickley, PA 15143-2600; phone 412/741-6860 ext. 584; or email [email protected].