HUDSON, N.H., Oct. 8 -- Presstek, Inc., a leading manufacturer and marketer of environmentally responsible high tech digital imaging solutions for the graphic arts and laser imaging markets, will be the leading source of chemistry-free CTP solutions at Graph Expo, the largest U.S. printing trade show, scheduled for October 10-13, 2004, at McCormick Place in Chicago. Presstek will be located in Booth 5047. Presstek's President and CEO Ed Marino said, "At drupa last spring, one of the hottest topics was processless plates, a development that reinforces Presstek's strategy to deliver highly productive, environmentally friendly solutions to the graphic arts market. At Graph Expo, we are proud to be showing the industry's widest range of chemistry-free and process-free plate solutions." Presstek's Chemistry-Free CTP Systems Presstek will be showing the new Dimension Excel CTP system, which uses Presstek's process-free Applause plates and chemistry-free Anthem plates. Based on new ProFire Excel imaging technology, Dimension Excel platesetters produce extremely high quality plates-up to 20 per hour-with less operator intervention thanks to a new load-ahead plate pre-staging feature and automated handling of exposed plates. Automated Plate Loading System Preview For printers with higher throughput requirements, Presstek will preview the new Automated Plate Loading System upgrade for the Dimension Excel platform. This advanced upgrade, being shown for the first time worldwide at GraphExpo, will allow Dimension Excel users to configure a completely automated system-from multiple plate selection, punching, slip-sheet removal, imaging, and post-image handling. The Automated Plate Loading System upgrade will work in concert with the new features of the Dimension Excel and will be easily added to any Dimension Excel system. Pricing and availability will be announced in early 2005. "We are thrilled to be showing the latest enhancements to our Dimension computer-to-plate solutions at Graph Expo. We believe the added quality and productivity delivered by Dimension Excel will play to a broader audience of print producers than ever before," said David Ventola, Presstek's general manager of off-press products. "And with the new automated loading system, overnight plate production can be accomplished virtually 'lights out.'" Intelligent Workflow Option Launched Presstek will be showing the new EFI OneFlow 2.0 system in its booth at GraphExpo. EFI OneFlow is a PDF-based prepress workflow automation solution that provides centralized management of multiple digital, offset and inkjet printing devices. Geared for commercial printers in the 2-up and 4-up markets, OneFlow allows users to build custom workflows and automate prepress functions. An intuitive, icon-based graphical user interface lets users easily design a workflow path to handle preflighting, trapping, RIPping, imposition, soft proofing, and more. "Presstek achieved early success with smaller-format printers by offering a CTP solution that eliminated complicated steps and reduced process variability. It's a natural step for us to partner with an innovator like EFI, who has streamlined front-end workflow and pursues a similar objective to make the entire printing process easier, faster-and smarter," said Marc Johnson, Product Line Marketing Manager. Ghilad Dziesietnik, EFI's Vice President of Professional Printing Workflow Applications said, "We are pleased to deliver the next generation of our unique OneFlow solution, bringing greater prepress efficiency, productivity and profits to the professional printing market," Dziesietnik adds, "OneFlow 2.0 features exciting new capabilities to further streamline prepress operations and improve the quality of color output. OneFlow's time-saving workflow automation tools and powerful color management capabilities, along with its intuitive interface, make it easy to master management of the prepress process." OneFlow 2.0 is available now through authorized Presstek distributors worldwide.