Kennesaw, GA., January 24, 2003 -- Heidelberg will debut and announce the availability of the new Quicksetter 300E and 400E this week at Graphics of the Americas 2003. These two new fully automatic CtP systems for polyester plates will be available for shipping in March 2003. The Quicksetter 300E and 400E will enhance productivity and will improve quality and efficiency for small commercial printers and franchisers. These offerings reinforce Heidelberg's commitment to provide innovated and integrated solutions for the print media industry. The Quicksetter was created to meet customer demand for a simpler, dependable, more efficient product. The Quicksetter 300E and 400E connect a Heidelberg state-of-the-art MetaDimension front end to a well-established marking engine. MetaDimension offers industry-leading color proofing technology and easy-to-use InRIP trapping. Its automation is achieved through the Adobe Portable Job Ticket. MetaDimension is the same front end that Heidelberg offers on its larger computer-to-plate devices, the Prosetter and Topsetter. Using MetaDimension, the Quicksetter series brings a new level of automation and quality to the small-format market. The MetaDimension front end is combined with an engine manufactured by RIPit Computer Corporation/Exxtra Imaging Systems, a well-established industry manufacturer. Heidelberg evaluated many vendors before entering into the agreement with RIPit/Exxtra. The decision to use their hardware was based on reliability, customer recommendations and ease-of-use. The engine features RIPit/Exxtra's innovative virtual drum technology, which allows for a 10-micron spot size and .0005" repeatability, suitable for high quality four-color printing. The Quicksetter 300E is designed for the Printmaster QM 46 and other portrait-feeding presses with a similar sheet size. The Quicksetter 400E is designed for the Heidelberg GTO 52 and other landscape-feeding presses with a similar sheet size. Both produce high-quality polyester plates for timely printing and provide value-added benefits that make them an indispensable tool for franchise, quick and small commercial printers. The Quicksetter 300E and 400E can be used with Heidelberg's Cristala polyester plate material, which guarantees excellent registration and accuracy due to its unique white back coating. Upgrading from a Quicksetter 300E or 400E to a 4- or 8-up Heidelberg CtP device is easy -- keep the front-end and just replace the recorder with a new Heidelberg CtP device. Once printers learn to use the front-end software MetaDimension, they can transfer the knowledge learned on it, to larger systems as their business grows. Heidelberg's confidence in the Quicksetter is evident by a one-year warranty for the entire package, including parts and labor. By introducing this product, Heidelberg is adding one more element to its entire line of print solutions -- prepress, press, postpress, web, digital, consumables, remarketed equipment, and parts and service. "RIPit/Exxtra is excited to partner with Heidelberg," said Wayne Wasulko, President, RIPit Computer Corporation. “The core technology of the new Quicksetter 300E and 400E is being used by many small- and medium-sized print shops and is standard in several major quick print franchises. The RIPit/Exxtra engine's proven performance and quality have been demonstrated time and again in leading print shops around the country. With Heidelberg's sales, service and support, we have an immediate winner."