Ann Arbor, Michigan -- Xitron, the prepress industry's leading independent developer and integrator of Raster Image Processors, RIP management software and workflow solutions, today announced that customer shipments of Navigator 8 for Macintosh have begun.

Navigator 8 adds significant enhancements for users including:

    •    Halequin RIP core release 8

    •    Native support for XPS 1.0 files
    •    Native support for PDF 1.7 files
    •    Navigator  PDF soft proofing plug-in option
    •    Connectivity with PRINTERnet – Xitron’s Web-to-Print solution
    •    Compatibility with Macintosh OS 10.4 and 10.5

Navigator 8 for Macintosh incorporates Harlequin core RIP technology from Global Graphics Software. Navigator 8 includes native support for the latest page description language files including XPS v1.0 and PDF 1.7. This release features the latest in transparency support for Harlequin RIP users.

The Navigator PDF soft proofing plug-in is offered as an option for Navigator 8 and provides a PDF of the actual raster (RIPped) file. The PDF is rendered, allowing the PDF to be emailed to customers for viewing and approval. Printers will now be able to view the job exactly as it was RIPped, thus providing a closer verification of the final output.

“Navigator and Torrent Macintosh RIP users will have an opportunity to take advantage of this latest Navigator RIP release,” stated Mark Eisenschenk, Xitron's President and Chief Executive Officer. “The enhancements in Navigator 8 provide users even greater flexibility with this affordable, high quality, commercial quality RIP solution.”

Navigator 8 also provides connectivity to Xitron’s new web-to-print, online job submission, preflighting and proofing solution, PRINTERnet. PRINTERnet enhances the printer’s prepress department capabilities by connecting their clients with the printer’s prepress department through a highly automated web-based system. Jobs are submitted to the system through a simple user interface where basic job ticket information is entered by the customer. This information is then submitted along with the job to the printer’s CSR or prepress department.

Special upgrade programs for existing Navigator and Torrent users are being offered through June 30, 2009.

Xitron products are available through a network of OEMs, distributors, dealers, and system integrators worldwide. Xitron RIPs and workflow solutions drive more than 250 different output devices ranging from black and white and color proofers to film imagesetters and the latest in CTP and direct-to-press systems. With shipments of more than 16,000 RIPs, Xitron is the largest independent provider of RIPs in the market. For more information about Xitron products, visit Xitron on the web at www.xitron.com.