First Inkjet System To Bring Color Matching Ability of Six-Color Spectrum To True Halftone Rosette Ridgefield Park, New Jersey – March 11, 2002 – During IPEX, April 9-17, 2002 in Birmingham, England, U.K., Agfa will demonstrate the first six-color inkjet proofing system to deliver dot-for-dot halftone proofs. Agfa’s innovative screening technology works with the high-resolution Grand Sherpa to deliver a color-accurate halftone rosette that replicates every characteristic of the final print. While error-diffused or frequency-modulated screening technology delivers exceptional color accuracy, its smooth, continuous-look does not represent the amplitude-modulated screening used in final printing. Halftone proofing reveals screening artifacts such as moire and loss of detail. By proofing the final dot pattern on a digital proof, users can detect and correct potential problems before going on plate/press. They can also show clients contract proofs that accurately represent the final printed piece. The current Agfa Sherpa family of 6-color inkjet proofing systems use ColorTune Pro color-management software to deliver highly accurate color proofs capable of matching more than 85% of PANTONE Spot colors. Using conventional screening technology (ABS) and a normal CMYK to CMYK conversion, it is possible to simulate rosettes, but this is not the same as dot for dot. Agfa’s new dot-for-dot technology renders the dots and the colors in such a way so that the output is color-managed and an exact halftone rosette is reproduced. The result is a screened contract-quality proof. Color-accurate halftone proofing requires a system with high resolution, multi-density inks, variable dot sizes and small dots. Agfa’s Grand Sherpa meets all of these requirements. Agfa will demonstrate the Grand Sherpa’s halftone proofing capabilities in an Agfa Apogee digital workflow. The Apogee Proofer RIP generates the same screen rulings and angles, and interpolates the data in exactly the same way as the platesetter RIP, which is essential for exact dot-for-dot reproduction. Another key advantage of dot-for-dot inkjet proofing is its low cost of ownership and maintenance. Agfa’s new screening technology will be commercially available Q4 2002.