LABELEXPO AMERICAS, CHICAGO, IL -- September 13, 2004 -- Creo is introducing new prepress solutions at Labelexpo 2004 to help label and flexible packaging printers reduce costs and increase profitability. These affordable solutions make it easy for small and medium-sized label printers to integrate computer-to-plate (CTP) imaging in their businesses. Printers can replace a computer-to-film workflow or upgrade a current CTP configuration to improve productivity and save operating costs. Easy and Affordable Transition to CTP... Creo introduces Creo Complete solutions for packaging at Labelexpo. Leading Creo prepress technologies are bundled into affordable, turnkey solutions to help flexo printers benefit quickly from the move to a CTP environment. Creo Complete comprises the ThermoFlex digital imager, the Prinergy Powerpack prepress workflow system, and industry-leading levels of service and support with flexible financing. On-site startup assistance is also included with training, collaboration, and business advice on the benefits of CTP. Holt Sublimation Printing and Products of Burlington, North Carolina started looking into computer-to-plate technologies because of dot gain issues. They spent more than a year researching flexo direct-to-plate technologies before selecting a Creo solution. "We looked at four different options. We discovered that only Creo was able to offer a complete and total package of their own products that were designed to tie in with each other yet remain an open platform," said Billy Whitehurst, production research specialist. As a cost-competitive package, Creo Complete is as easy to own as it is to install. Now available worldwide, Creo Complete solutions are designed to make the CTP transition fast and trouble-free. As each component is from the same vendor and proven to work together, a single phone call to Creo customer service resolves any issue. New ThermoFlex Devices Enhance Productivity... Creo is launching the next generation ThermoFlex Mid digital imager at Labelexpo. This new ThermoFlex delivers increased productivity and ease of use, reducing the time required to image a plate by as much as 28 percent on the V speed model. The plate loading and unloading processes have been dramatically improved and a new TIFF front end provides a simplified user interface. The footprint has also been reduced, taking 24 percent less space than the original design. Advancements in Creo imaging technology allow flexo printers to further increase quality and repeatability at faster imaging speeds. The new ThermoFlex maintains all of the features users have come to expect from this device including the ability to image variable plate sizes, variable plate thicknesses, and a range of qualified digital letterpress and flexographic plates. All ThermoFlex devices come equipped with award-winning HyperFlex(tm)-ready imaging. All of the unique flexo screening features Creo has developed, including Maxtone(tm), DigiCap(tm) and Raster Scaling, are also included with the purchase of any ThermoFlex device, allowing flexo printers to deliver more consistent presswork and improved print quality. Visit the Creo booth (#6111) at Labelexpo to see the ThermoFlex Mid and a range of print samples. New Prinergy Powerpack Workflows Designed for Smaller Businesses... The Creo Prinergy Powerpack prepress workflow has been expanded to meet the needs of small to mid-size label printers. Smaller businesses can take advantage of new entry-level Prinergy Powerpack configurations that combine proven PDF processing performance with advanced flexo screening capabilities, for a simple, easy-to-use, affordable solution. Printers requiring a database-driven workflow management solution can still depend on the managed Prinergy Powerpack workflow offerings to automate prepress production, reduce errors and increase efficiency. Demonstrations of Prinergy Powerpack version 2.3 highlight several new technology features including: -- Trap trimming, which creates labor savings by reducing the manual editing required to prepare packaging files for production. -- New automation features to allow multiple outputs to be created from one input file, accelerating production and increasing efficiency. -- PDF preflight to allow operators to customize preflight criteria or to use predefined profiles to check and correct input files automatically. -- Improved connectivity with version 2.7 of the Pandora step-and-repeat tool and the Prinergy Powerpack entry-level workflows. Modular Solution for Future Expansion... With Creo Complete and its upgradeable Creo CTP devices and modular workflow components, label printers can build on their investment at low cost and add: -- Connectivity to management information systems (MIS) and other developments according to the business owner's needs. Synapse Link stand-alone reporting can provide job costing and status information. -- The Synapse InSite Internet portal into prepress helps retain customers and add new ones by providing customers with web services for remote job submission, remote proofing, and better communication. -- The Integris(tm) Desktop proofing solution combines the Integris Qualified EPSON Stylus Pro 4000 printer with the Integris Proof Controller and Integris Qualified inks and media for calibrated digital contone 2-up proofs that set a new standard in desktop proofing with consistency, stability and image quality. Creo prepress solutions for packaging, including the ThermoFlex Mid, Prinergy Powerpack, Integris Desktop, Pandora, Synapse Link and Synapse InSite, are being demonstrated during Labelexpo Americas 2004, September 13-16, in booth 6111.