BEDFORD, MA -- September 20, 2001 -- CreoScitex, a division of Creo Products Inc. announces the beta release of the Spectrum digital halftone proofing option for the Lotem(tm) 800 Quantum platesetter using Imation Matchprint(tm) Digital Halftone Proofing media. CreoScitex platesetters now offer the most advanced proofing technology with the most sophisticated platemaking capabilities, in a single device. High-Resolution Proofing And Plating, Consistent Results... Spectrum digital halftone proofing systems use SQUAREspot(tm) thermal imaging heads to produce high-resolution digital halftone proofs that consistently represent the halftone image structure of the plates on press. Adding Spectrum proofing to the Lotem 800 Quantum platesetter offers printers the benefits of print buyer and pressroom acceptance through maximal halftone integrity between proof and plate, with a choice of industry leading color-proofing standards. Combining proofing and plating on the same device is the most cost effective means to provide the flexibility and capacity to meet all of a printer's production needs and also saves valuable floor space in the production facility. Lotem 800 Quantum... The Lotem 800 Quantum platesetter features the most advanced plate handling automation on the market, including fully automated loading and unloading with multiple cassette configurations, inline punching and slip-sheet removal. The Lotem 800 Quantum Spectrum platesetter produces up to 56 proof pages unattended with a new proofing cassette, and the industry's largest digital halftone proofs. Matchprint Digital Halftone Proofing media from Imation Corp. is the first media being used by the Lotem Quantum Spectrum platesetter. "We're pleased to continue our partnership with Imation that has resulted in the installation of over 300 Spectrum systems," said Haydn Richardson, Product Manager of Spectrum Digital Halftone Proofing Solutions. Imation Matchprint... Since commercialized in 1998, Imation Matchprint Digital Halftone media is imaging on more than 300 CreoScitex units. Imation Matchprint Digital Halftone proofs deliver the consistency and repeatability of industry-standard Imation Matchprint analog proofs as well as match other customer targets. Imation Matchprint Digital Halftone proofs offer a wide-range of proofing options, including multiple color sets, flexible base materials and transfer capability to multiple printing stocks. "We are extremely excited to have the Lotem Quantum platesetter platform qualified to image our Matchprint Digital Halftone media," said Bob Karner, Imation Color Technologies Marketing Manager. "This next generation IR Thermal proofer/platemaking device, coupled with our Third Generation Matchprint Digital media makes for a formidable combination that delivers optimum accuracy." The Lotem 800 Quantum platesetter with Spectrum digital halftone proofing was demonstrated for the first time at Print '01 in the Imation booth. The Lotem 800 Quantum Spectrum platesetter is currently available for delivery for beta testing.