EMBALLAGE 2002, PARIS, FRANCE -- November 18, 2002 -- Creo is proud to be exhibiting for the first time, the latest developmennts in packaging prepress solutions at Emballage 2002 in Paris, from November 18-22. Creo has developed prepress tools that are tailored for the specific needs of folding carton, label, flexible packaging, and corrugated box printers/converters and trade shops. Customized packaging prepress and print-production systems from Creo maximize job throughput and performance, help reduce turnaround time and eliminate variability from the workflow through a controlled, digital manufacturing process. Packaging-specific Digital Workflow... Creo packaging workflow systems are available in several configurations-with basic functionality to more complex systems. The workflow systems are designed to fit a variety of production environments. By building a customized system, packaging printers/converters and trade shops can match their operational needs and connect the system to existing equipment investments and packaging prepress front-ends. Prinergy Powerpack(tm) and Brisque(tm) Pack workflow management systems provide tailored workflow solutions that meet the needs of packaging printers/converters and trade shops. Both workflow systems support step-and-repeat, trapping, proofing, color management, color separations, and output to plate or film. New at Emballage 2002... Creo is demonstrating two packaging workflows at Emballage. Brisque Pack, the CT/LW packaging workflow solution, offers step-and-repeat options, drives proofing and plate imaging devices and includes specialized flexo screening and distortion capabilities. Prinergy Powerpack is a PDF-based workflow management system for packaging, which streamlines and organizes tag and label prepress production, including 1-up processing, step-and-repeat layouts, proofing and CTF or CTP imaging. The new version of Prinergy Powerpack, 2.1, includes 7.5 degree-shifted flexo angle screening and vector scaling for flexographic trade shops or converters. It also integrates Pandora(r) 1.5, the packaging and label step-and-repeat solution that helps trade shops and converters streamline their workflow. This powerful step-and-repeat program and nesting application fully supports PDF and is designed to automatically optimize the press sheet surface. The latest version of Pandora, 2.0, currently in beta, can be fully integrated into both the Prinergy Powerpack and Brisque Pack workflows. Pandora 2.0 includes new features such as support for Job Definition Format (JDF) and editable non-rectangular bleed paths automatically derived from CAD die line information. It also supports bleed overlap detection with advanced, easy-to-use tools for automatic overlap correction, die-station ordering with fully automated placement of die-station number marks, and die-mirroring for the creation of double-sided layouts. Collaborate Online... Creo is showing the Synapse(r) InSite Internet portal that shrinks the length of production cycles by allowing online collaboration between consumer product companies or packaging print buyers and the trade shops or converters preparing their packaging. This powerful workflow management software allows users to submit jobs and proof them remotely. From wherever customers and service reps have access to the Internet, they can submit print jobs, track progress, proof, collaborate with creative and production staff on changes, receive up-to-minute job information, and approve work-all on-line and in a secure environment. The Synapse InSite Internet portal integrates seamlessly with the Prinergy Powerpack and Brisque Pack workflow products, making online communication convenient between trade shops, converters and their customers. Most Productive Flexo CTP... The ThermoFlex(r) computer-to plate (CTP) devices are equipped with 830nm laser thermal imaging and feature fast, easy load/unload operation that reduces material damage and dramatically improves productivity. A wide range of media types, sizes and thicknesses is accommodated and adjustments are not required when changing plate sizes, so operators can quickly move from job to job without slowing production. Total throughput is the best in the industry and imaging speed is consistent independently of plate thickness. Faster Offset CTP... Creo has announced the fastest ever imaging speed for the Trendsetter(r) VLF Quantum offset platesetter. The new V2.8 speed option images fifteen 1,143 x 1,448 mm (45 x 57 in) plates per hour and is currently being tested with customers. More than 700 Trendsetter VLF devices are installed worldwide-more installations than any other very large-format device. Trendsetter VLF devices offer a choice of imaging speed, format size, level of process control and level of automation (from semi-automatic to fully automatic) to meet the very-large format platemaking needs of converters and packaging trade shops, as well as magazine, book, catalog and directory printers. Staccato Screening for Packaging ... Staccato(r) screening produces packaging printing with high-fidelity, artifact-free images that exhibit fine detail without halftone rosettes and screening moir/, gray level limitations or abrupt jumps in tone. There is no impact on RIPing or rendering time. Staccato screening also improves color and halftone stability on press, making it a perfect complement to consistent "by-the-numbers" printing. When imaged with the consistency and accuracy of SQUAREspot(r) thermal imaging, Staccato delivers unmatched quality to proof and plate. Staccato screening is now used as a practical tool for everyday use in today's pressroom. Staccato screening is available with the Trendsetter VLF Quantum CTP device. Revolutionary Spotless Solution... The key benefit that Staccato screening and SQUAREspot thermal imaging bring to packaging is the ability to print smooth stable process color blends. This opens the door to replacing spot color inks. The Creo Spotless(tm) solution builds on this capability with a seamless six-color workflow and new color management technology from Creo. The Spotless solution allows trade shops/converters to transition a significant portion of work from CMYK plus multiple spot colors to a color-set of up to six colors of their choice. The result is spot color performance at a fraction of the usual cost. The six-color workflow will be available in Prinergy Powerpack next year. See and learn about all of the Creo digital solutions for offset, flexographic, and gravure package printing by visiting the Creo in Hall 6, Stand #63 during Emballage 2002 in Paris from November 18-22.