May 12, 2003 -- KBA is parading its "dynamic duo" of digitally integrated direct imaging presses - the 74 Karat and the 46 Karat - on booth no. B235 at Northprint in Harrogate, 13-15 May. Also on show a new low-cost proof to print package comprising the 46 Karat with the Minolta CF9001 proofer and new waterless inks and colour system from Aniva. The 74 Karat, now widely installed throughout the UK printing industry, is a waterless and keyless digital offset press designed for space saving, one-man operation With a maximum sheet size of 740 X 520mm the press runs at up to 8000 sheets per hour. On show at Northprint will be a 74 Karat with inline aqueous coating offering dramatic reductions in drying time. A perfecting pass can be run as soon as imaging is complete considerably assisting production speeds. The KBA smaller sister, the 46 Karat, with a maximum sheet size of 460 X 340mm, is again a waterless DI press and is designed for quickfire short-run colour. The press features the same revolutionary V-type design as the 74 Karat, but has a conventional inking unit with ink keys. Northprint will also see the UK debut of an all-in package launched by KBA in partnership with Aniva and Minolta to standardise digital print production. The package comprises a Minolta CF9001 proofer, a 46 Karat SRA press and Aniva´s new waterless inks and colour system and is an ideal high-quality proof to print ensemble for smaller printshops on a limited budget. The 46 Karat applies Aniva inks in photographic densities. This, in tandem with Aniva software, supports a much bigger colour gamut and creates an image which is sharper and more intense. Visitors to Northprint will be able to see how well the print matches the proofs delivered on production stock by the toner-based Minolta CF9001 using Aniva colour profiles. The Aniva colour system operating from digital photography and data to finished proofs and prints will be demonstrated on the KBA stand in real time. The Minolta CF9001 proofer has been on the market for two years and can output a maximum of eight colour pages per minute at a cost of about 34p per proof. It can also be used for low cost short runs of colour prints.