HANOVER PARK, Ill. (September 10, 2002) — The Graphic Systems Division of Fuji Photo Film U.S.A., Inc. is proud to announce Fujifilm’s "Match Certified," the latest breakthrough in color proofing. Match Certified is the company’s new color-matching service that assures the highest quality proof-to-press match available. Using Fujifilm’s proprietary software, specialized charts, measurement equipment and industry experience, customers can now visually and colorimetrically match their FINALPROOF digital contract proofer to the printing conditions and ink sets at an accuracy level not previously possible. The strength of Match Certified lies in the proprietary software that is included in the package. Unlike previous color management systems – which use base colors that are all weighted equally and given the same importance – Match Certified produces a color look-up table (LUT) to produce the first visually-oriented system. Designed using the input of more than 3,000 graphic arts companies, Match Certified’s LUTs replicate human vision by weighting the relative importance of different areas of color space. It gives added importance to neutrals, near neutrals and the full range of flesh tones, as well as giving extra weight to other memory colors such as those in skies and grasses. "When matching a proof-to-press, it makes perfect sense to mimic human vision," reports Don Schroeder, senior product development manager for color proofing in Fujifilm’s Graphic Systems Division. "Ultimately, it doesn’t matter what the color values are; what matters is how the final piece looks." The result is a Match Certified proof that has been certified by the experts at Fujifilm as the closest visual match possible. Once a Match Certified LUT is produced and verified, the customer is supplied with a Match Certified logo for use in the non-printing area of proof, which is Fujifilm’s assurance to both the end-user and the printer that the proof will match on-press. "Fujifilm has a strong tradition in proofing, starting with our ColorArt proofing system and continuing now in digital proofing," explains Schroeder. "Customers can be confident in the proofs they show their clients because they know that Fujifilm, with its resources and industry research, is standing behind them." The Fujifilm FINALPROOF with Match Certified will ship with three standard LUTs: commercial CR-t3 standard dot gain, commercial CR-T4 low dot gain and a SWOP certified LUT. One custom Match Certified LUT will be generated for each FINALPROOF at no cost. Additional Match Certified LUTs can be purchased for $2,500 MSRP each. As digital proofing continues to gain ground, Fujifilm is raising the bar with Match Certified and the FINALPROOF digital contract proofer. Color accuracy is critical in today’s fast-paced environment and knowing that the proof will match on-press is a distinct advantage. That level of accuracy and FINALPROOF’s true halftone dot screening, pigment CMY colors and its ability to use actual printing stock all come together to give end users an early glimpse at the final printed piece. For more information on Match Certified or the FINALPROOF digital contract proofer, please visit www.fujifinalproof.com. Fujifilm will introduce Match Certified at GRAPH EXPO 2002 at McCormick Place in Chicago on October 6 – 9 at Booth #3831. Headquartered in Hanover Park, Ill., the Graphic Systems Division of Fuji Photo Film U.S.A., Inc. offers a full array of high-quality products and services including: Saber, the world’s fastest platesetter in its class; Dart and the Javelin Series, cost-effective thermal platesetters; Sumo, the world’s fastest imagesetter; the Brillia line of thermal and visible light digital plates; FINALPROOF, a digital halftone dot contract proofing product; PictroProof, a dye-based digital color proofing system; and Quattro, the award-winning flatbed color scanner with ColourKit color management software. Fujifilm’s line of color electronics equipment includes a complete range of imagesetters, RIPs, flatbed scanners and computer-to-plate systems. In addition, Fujifilm has a full line-up of film products and aqueous-based conventional subtractive plates.