HUDSON, N.H., June 18 -- Presstek, Inc. , a leading provider of direct digital imaging technology, today announced the results from a comprehensive State Street Consultants, Inc. (SSCI) market study ranking Presstek #1 in the 2- and 4-up CTP market share for small commercial printers. The study, completed in April 2003, also shows that Presstek is the #1 fastest-growing CTP vendor in the 2-up metal CTP category. Additionally, Presstek is increasing placements in the 4-up CTP segment at twice the pace of the overall North American market. The total placements of 4-up metal CTP systems by all vendors grew an average of 8% from Q4-2002 to Q1-2003. Presstek's 4-up metal CTP installs grew at a rate of 16% over the same period. According to SSCI, the statistics culled from its North American Market Scanning Service, the basis for its Market Data Reports, provide important insights into the market including industry changes in annual share, buying patterns and trends among other things. John P. Windle, President of State Street Consultants explained, "In the overall metal CTP market, installed units (as of Q1 '03), are up approximately 20% (over Q1 '02), however this growth has been much faster in some segments than others. Installations in small and medium printers (under 50 employees) have increased by 66%, while those in large printers (over 50 employees) have increased by only 9%. At the same time, the importance of the 2 and 4-up format sizes has increased sharply, and now represents almost 30% of all metal CTP units. You could say that the market is moving in the direction of Presstek's strengths." Windle continued, "Presstek's ranking in our most recent Market Data Report of the metal CTP market has been consistent, placing Presstek among the top vendors for small and medium sized commercial printers and the number one choice for 2-up and 4-up metal CTP among the small commercial print shops with fewer than 20 employees." According to David Ventola, Director of Presstek's Off-Press business, "The study confirms our belief that Presstek has the right CTP solution, a solution that allows the small to mid-sized printer to be more productive and profitable. Our imaging and thermal media products are designed to meet the requirements of the small commercial printer -- chemistry-free operation, compact size, and ease of use."