Pittsburgh, Pa., November 19, 2002 — Graphic Arts Technical Foundation (GATF) will premiere results of three original research studies on contract soft proofing, stochastic screening, and digital printing at the 11th annual Tech Alert conference. With sessions for prepress and pressroom personnel alike, the conference will also cover issues on implementing a color management program and printing with metallic and exotic inks. Being held February 2–4, 2003, at the Hyatt Regency International Airport Hotel in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Tech Alert is the industry’s leading conference for gaining an in-depth understanding of the opportunities and challenges created by emerging technologies. Sessions on GATF’s three original research studies will provide the following information. * Greg Bassinger, manager of process controls, will compare and explain the difference between soft proofs and printed material. For some time the industry has been questioning the quality of soft proofs to be used for contract color approvals. For this Tech Alert, GATF colorimetrically measured and visually evaluated the color accuracy of soft proofing systems. Printers and their customers will know their options and make better business decisions after listening to this session. * Bruce Tietz, a GATF technical consultant, will demonstrate that anyone can print using stochastic. Using stochastic, or FM, screening for process color printing has many advantages. The elimination of moiré, increased contrast, and smaller file size are just some of those advantages. Tietz’s review of the variables in the process, such as platesetters and the plates themselves, and best practices in running stochastic can help printers become comfortable with this process. Each attendee will receive a bound book of samples, which include photographs and measurable targets, used in the research. * John Lind, GATF’s direct of research, will present research findings on the latest generation of digital color print devices. The study will compare the differences between offset and digital output on these devices, and address cost and quality issues. Attendees will learn what issues to consider when purchasing a digital color printing device. Jim Mikol, senior vice president and print management director for Leo Burnett Worldwide, will start the event. A distinguished member of the advertising community, Mikol will share with printers how technology affects the use and production of print in advertising. Many of the sessions conclude with a panel discussion of users who can provide information beyond research by sharing real-world experiences and answering questions. GATF will also moderate a panel spotlighting press and prepress technologies that received the prestigious 2002 InterTech Technology Awards—a prediction of major technologies that will impact the future of printing. Additionally a summary of the annual GATF Technology Forecast will be presented. The 2003 Forecast will cover economic and market trends, print processes and markets, ink and paper, digital prepress and digital workflow, finishing, industry standards and specifications, education and training, and the environment in articles written by industry specialists. Ray Prince, GATF’s senior technical consultant and the industry’s leading forecaster, will co-present with Vicki Stone, director of prepress operations for Green Printing and Packaging Company in Lexington, North Carolina, providing practical comments on the 2003 Forecast. Early bird registration fee for the two-day conference is $645 ($545 for GATF/PIA members) for the first registrant and $50 less for additional registrants from the same organization. Included in the conference fee is a copy of the GATF 2003 Technology Forecast and handouts for GATF’s original research studies. The 2003 Tech Alert conference will help companies plan a technology strategy and will benefit anyone interested in learning how technology is changing the industry. For more information and to register, or contact Gwen Martin, GATF conference coordinator, by phoning 800/910-GATF extension.