April 2, 2003 -- Not all printers are caught in the downward spiral of reduced ink-on-paper opportunities. Despite an uncertain economy, some business owners are achieving outstanding ROI with wide format digital imaging equipment. GUTENBERG FESTIVAL continues it's leadership role by introducing West Coast graphic professionals to one of the biggest new sales and profit opportunities to emerge in the printing industry in years - wide format digital imaging - in a new multi-company display. The latest offerings from world-renowned equipment manufacturers are being gathered together and showcased in the Wide Format Opportunities Pavilion for all to see. With the advent of this special display, attendees now have access to a comprehensive array of wide format imaging options to evaluate for compatibility with their existing product mix. This pavilion has nearly doubled in size since it's inception due to vendor and attendee interest. "Printers and graphic arts professionals have told us they are searching for viable alternatives to diversify and enhance their offerings beyond the traditional ink on paper. This new pavilion affords them the opportunity to see and get answers to their questions about these flexible pieces of equipment from leading suppliers before making a purchase decision" said Regis J. Delmontagne, president of Graphic Arts Show Company, the producer of the event. Special programming has been added to enhance attendees' understanding of the full profit potential this versatile technology affords. David King, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Concord, Massachusetts-based Castle Graphics will tell attendees everything they need to know if they are considering adding wide format imaging to their product mix in his extremely popular session entitled, "Wide Format Imaging - An Untapped Resource for Printers." Other wide format sessions presented by industry experts at the show include "The Digital Factory," and "Digital Fine Art Reproduction." According to Richard Romano, TrendWatch Graphic Arts writer and editor, "Wide format imaging is one of the bright spots in printing today." Market forecasts abound about this versatile technology, with annual growth predicted between 10% and 12%. Analysts are divided on the value of the U.S. and worldwide market, but there are a few points on which they all agree. Demand is strong and the market represents a sizeable window of opportunity for commercial printers. But, based on Romano's data, the window will very quickly slam shut if they don't adopt the technology now. Products featured in the pavilion range from grand format flatbed printers capable of printing brilliant, show-stopping images on such diverse uncoated stocks as vinyl, fabrics, screens and even boards over an inch and a half thick; to a speedy newly introduced print engine capable of dual duty as both a commercial printer and a color proofing system. Canon will showcase their versatile new imagePROGRAF line of wide format thermal ink jet printers with proprietary print heads designed to deliver sharp images up to 36" wide at print speeds up to 128 square feet per hour. Agfa will demonstrate the versatility of their Sherpa high resolution printers by showing them both as a color proofing system and as a turn key printing system for wide format graphics. Cypress, California-based CalComp Graphic Solutions, a leading provider of custom designed wide and grand format imaging systems solutions, will feature two new printers, the 36" Encad VinylJet UV banner printer and the 64" Mimaki JV3 solvent ink jet printer, along with color management tools and their own Artisan media and laminates. Durst-Dice America will demonstrate their Rho 160, large format UV flatbed ink jet printer that prints directly onto flexible or rigid uncoated substrates up to 62 inches wide and requires no finishing lamination. Highly versatile and adaptable, the Rho 160 prints brilliant color images directly on to such diverse substrates as glass, Plexiglas, textiles and even stone. VUTEk will feature it's new UltraVu 150, an affordable, entry-level piezo, solvent-based ink jet printing system. With productivity levels so high it is being called "industrial strength," the UltraVu 150 prints stunning outdoor durable images on hundreds of uncoated substrates up to 60-inches wide. "When market conditions indicate that diversified businesses will continue to thrive and flourish, the more information available about possible options, the better positioned businesses can be to achieve success. GUTENBERG FESTIVAL offers visitors a full-spectrum view of these possible options, to provide all types of businesses the information they need to succeed," said Sonia O'Donnell, Manager, New Business Development, GASC. With over 40 educational sessions and 225 exhibitors all offering new or improved equipment or supplies, visitors will be well equipped to succeed upon leaving the GUTENBERG FESTIVAL, May 1-3 in Long Beach, CA.