Next Generation Plate Bring Perfect Reproductions, Faster Ridgefield Park, NJ – August 12, 2002 – Autologic, an Agfa company, the leader in newspaper prepress and printing solutions, unveiled NewsPlate Premium Edition, the newest generation of analog plates optimized for the newspaper industry. NewsPlate Premium Edition joins Autologic’s full selection of top-quality analog and digital plates, platesetters, chemistry and services. They are available now. NewsPlate Premium Edition brings unmatched quality, convenience and reliability to any newspaper production workflow. The new plate eliminates halation issues, requires less exposure time, reduces draw down time and maintains peak system stability during use. "We are very pleased to present NewsPlate Premium Edition to newspaper publishers," said Richard Ferranti, Marketing Manager, Newspaper Systems of Autologic. "Our research and development department designed NewsPlate Premium Edition to consume significantly less water and offer superior ink and water balance on press. These qualities result in unparalleled press performance and excellent reproduction characteristics. We expect that press rooms will see a noticeable improvement in their operations." NewsPlate Premium Edition neutralizes halation issues through a patented Agfa coating technology called Micropigmentation, which is a microscopic roughening of the plate’s surface. The roughened surface facilitates air channels and prevents air bubbles between the plate and film. The result is complete film and plate contact, hard dots for optimum press performance and perfect reproductions. NewsPlate Premium Edition offers excellent resolution and sharpness from 2 – 97 percent and is available in 0.008", 0.010" and 0.012" gauge. The plate is negative working and is exposed at 380-420 nm. Additionally, NewsPlate Premium Edition is a true aqueous system, an environmentally-friendly and -conscious approach to printing. About Autologic, an Agfa Company Autologic designs, produces, sells and maintains computer-based systems and output devices that automate the prepress production steps for companies such as newspapers, and others that require reliability and high throughput. In December 2001, Autologic Information International, Inc. became a wholly owned subsidiary of Agfa Corporation, the U.S. subsidiary of the Agfa Group, which ranks among the world's leading imaging companies. For more information about Autologic products and services, go to www.autologic.com.