- Positive Feedback from new DI Installs - Ryobi 3404DI Open Houses Planned - Expanded DI Sales Team - Continued Support for Heidelberg Users: HDIA - Exhibiting at Upcoming Xplor Conference - DIdirectory.com Expanded & Revamped - Sponsoring Digital Printing Council Chicago, October 6, 2002 - Furthering its commitment to supporting DI (Direct Imaging) customers and partners, Presstek, Inc. is announcing successful DI installations as well as a host of new marketing and support initiatives. The initiatives range from significantly expanding the Presstek DI sales team, participation at DI Open Houses, and exhibiting at the annual Xplor Conference, to expansion and revamping of www.DIdirectory.com and sponsorship of the new Digital Printing Council. "Over the past few months, we've worked hard to pick up the pace in implementing our DI strategy," says Ed Marino, CEO of Presstek. "We've concentrated on listening and more effectively communicating the many benefits of DI printing, from high quality and speed to low cost per page. We've also made a firm commitment to providing support for our partners' sales efforts. I'm pleased with the hard work demonstrated by our DI team, and I'm confident that we'll keep up the pace and commitment." Successful Ryobi 3404DI Installations According to Stan Najmr, Presstek's Vice President of On-Press Imaging, " Feedback we've received from the field tells us that printers and their customers are consistently realizing the benefits of DI printing." "I have been in the industry 30 years and the Ryobi 3404DI is by far the nicest press out there. It's a wonderful product that is really convenient and easy to operate with super quality printing. We have a competitor who can't believe what we do with quality and product shipped...they are in awe! We produce very complicated commercial printing with as many as 11 different jobs totaling 50,000 impressions in a day." Bill Hunsaker, General Manager, Central Coast Printing, San Luis Obispo, CA "Prior to our DI purchase we spent considerable time evaluating the merits of conventional offset vs. a direct image press. Once we decided that a DI was the machine for us, we chose the Ryobi DI. We are very pleased with the performance and the results we have gotten from the machine. Some of the benefits that are important to us are: the direct imaging on press which equates to no stripping or burning plates, no mounting of plates, and registration is perfect every time. The print quality is excellent. The extra form roller gives that added print performance. Ink coverage is great; the machine runs large solids very well. Drying time is faster than other conventional offset machines. The waterless ink and lack of chemistry makes the machine easy to operate. We have found the Ryobi DI to be a reliable performer and great addition to our equipment line." Tom Gardner, President, Curry Printing, Worcester, MA "We already had DI integrated into our commercial printing operation to produce books, covers, etc. Our text is run on a conventional Komori. We've compared the best quality work from the Komori with that from the Ryobi 3404DI and you can't tell the difference. The quality from the Ryobi 3404DI is excellent. " Mike Robinson, Owner, Maurice Printers, Temecula, CA Ryobi 3404DI In-Plant Seminar & Open House Presstek will participate in an upcoming In-Plant Printer Seminar and Open House on December 4-5 in the Seattle, Washington area. Hosted by Ryobi distributor xpedx Import Group, contact Rich Sims at 425-656-1105 for more information. According to Mike Chadwick, Presstek's DI Product Line Marketing Manager, "In-plants are proving ideal candidates for DI printing because DI presses offer unique advantages specific to their environment, from speed and quality to low cost of ownership. DI presses have no click charges, offer low monthly maintenance contracts, and provide many other cost-savings benefits. We're working hard to educate users on these topics, and the seminars and open houses are perfect vehicles for accomplishing this." Expanded DI Sales Team As part of Presstek's market-focused strategy to better support DI sales and customers, Presstek recently expanded its DI team, beginning with the addition of John Ellis as Eastern Region DI Business Manager. In this role, Ellis is responsible for supporting Xpedx Import Group and the Ryobi 3404DI press in the Eastern Region of the U.S. Additionally, Presstek announces realignment of two other key managers for its DI management team: Tom Leibrant is now DI Business Manager for the Central Region, and Ross Peterman is now DI Business Manager for the Western Region. Leibrandt and Peterman, who combined have 10 years experience with Presstek, are now responsible for supporting and promoting Presstek's DI customers and partners in their respective regions of the U.S. Presstek also recently appointed Carl Brucher, formerly North American Sales Manager, to Global Brand Manager, QMDI. In his new position as Global Brand Manager, Brucher promotes the Quickmaster DI brand in the marketplace by serving as the liaison between Presstek's DI Business Unit and Heidelberg's sales channels and customers. Brucher is developing and executing sales and marketing programs to promote the growth and expansion of Presstek's Quickmaster DI laser imaging and thermal media product lines. Continued Support for Heidelberg Users Presstek is pleased to also continue its commitment to Heidelberg users through its continuing sponsorship of the Heidelberg Digital Imaging Association (HDIA). HDIA is an independent, nonprofit organization of printing, publishing, and graphic arts companies that use Heidelberg digital technologies in production. Presstek will be present at Directions 2002, the 14th annual HDIA user group meeting, which will convene immediately following Graph Expo at the Hyatt McCormick Place on October 9th through October 11th. "We look forward to supporting HDIA as well as attending the Directions conferences each year. HDIA provides us with an incredible opportunity to be in front of key DI users, allowing us to interact and listen to their concerns, needs and successes. We are proud to sponsor this very active and prestigious community of users," says Carl Brucher, Presstek's Global Brand Manager, Quickmaster DI. Expanded & Revamped www.DIdirectory.com Presstek launches an expanded and revamped version of www.DIdirectory.com the comprehensive online resource for DI information, applications, technology and resources for graphic designers. The goal of www.DIdirectory.com is to provide graphic designers and print buyers with a one-stop resource for technology info, how-to's, as well as to offer a platform for content creators to showcase and communicate ideas, suggestions or other information with their peers. Presstek's Marketing Manager, On-press Products Division, Brian Wolfenden says, "We've revamped and expanded the DIdirectory site significantly so that it is easier to navigate, is more dynamic, and is now populated with an abundance of relevant content for designers and print buyers. Our goal is to fill a gap by providing educational information on how DI printing can deliver offset quality printing faster and more cost-effectively than other printing methods. The expanded site features: * Find a DI Printer -- On the revamped site, designers and print buyers will find it easier to locate a DI printer worldwide using Presstek's "Find A DI Printer" map and listing. * Featured Projects - Any DI printer interested in being listed or showcasing their work are invited to submit their info and projects at www.DIdirectory.com. * Why DI? - A Q&A on DI technology and its benefits. * Featured DI Printer - Find out about leading DI printers worldwide. * Industry Articles - Lists useful articles on DI topics of interest. * Useful Links - Features links to more information available on DI Presses, great designer sites and paper sites. * Product Literature - Access product literature from today's leading DI manufacturers and suppliers. * DI Forum - Designed as an open opportunity for all to ask questions about Direct Imaging. Share stories of triumph or ask a question or two. Representatives from the DI community will answer questions posted to the forum. * Newsletter - Offers easy access to issues of Presstek's informative newsletter, Direction Presstek at Xplor Conference In an information display, Presstek will exhibit at the upcoming Xplor 2002, the 23rd Global Electronic Document Systems Conference & Exhibition, set to take place Oct. 27 to Oct. 30, 2002 in Anaheim, Calif., at the Anaheim Convention Center. Xplor International, the worldwide electronic document systems association, is sponsoring this major global event. More than 5,000 professionals from more than 40 countries are expected to attend. Digital Printing Council Presstek is pleased to announce that it has signed on to be a sponsor of the Digital Printing Council (DPC). The mission of the DPC is to provide the graphic communications industry with programs and services to enable those companies considering or involved in digital- and variable-data printing- to operate profitably. "We look forward to working with and supporting the DPC's educational efforts. Presstek is on the pulse of the marketplace, both from a development as well as a customer demand viewpoint, and we feel we can both provide to, as well as learn from; our colleagues and customers. The pooling of our knowledge and skills within the DPC will result in more intelligent and cost-effective growth for all of us," said Vice President of Direct Imaging, Stan Najmr.