Chicago, Illinois, USA — Three production technologies are dominating the digital landscape in the United States and Canada, and Kodak Polychrome Graphics (KPG) is the only partner offering its customers options for each. Visitors to KPG's Graph Expo Booth 4031 will find a range of solutions in computer-to-plate (CtP), direct imaging offset presses and digital printing. “‘Digital' is the buzzword in the graphic arts today, but we understand that digital means different things to different print businesses," said Andrew Copley, President, Americas, KPG. "If you want to improve the quality, speed and productivity of your offset workflow, then you may need a new CtP solution. If you're looking to capture short run color options in your marketplace, a direct imaging offset press may be the right choice. And if you want to combine a short run capability with variable data, then digital printing may be your best direction. We know printers need choices, and that's what KPG is committed to providing." Digital Printing The newest additions to KPG’s production portfolio are the Kodak NexPress 2100 digital production color press and the Kodak Digimaster E125 and E150 black and white digital printing systems. KPG announced a worldwide distribution agreement with NexPress Solutions on Oct. 4 and began marketing the NexPress 2100 in the U.S. immediately. KPG will phase in remaining territories, as well as the Digimaster E125 and E150, during the first quarter of 2005. These products are designed for high volume, production digital printing and support the industry’s growth trends of shorter run lengths and personalized documents. In addition to the NexPress and Digimaster systems, KPG also resells selected Canon branded products and accessories in the United States, including the Canon CLC 1100 series, CLC 4000 and CLC 5100 toner-based color copiers and associated accessories. The CLC 1100 series, combined with KPG's Matchprint Professional Server, is ideally suited to proofing and very short runs, while the Canon CLC 4000 and CLC 5100, combined with the Canon ColorPass Servers, are designed for short run and variable data applications. Direct Imaging Offset Presses Also on display at KPG’s Graph Expo booth, the Kodak Polychrome Graphics DirectPress 5634 DI System is part of a line of DI presses from KPG that are taking off in the United States and Canada. By year end more than 50 DirectPress units will be in the market. The new KPG DirectPress 5634 DI System combines industry leading image quality with the simplicity and automation of a DI Press. The KPG DirectPress 5634 DI System further enhances efficiency through the new Kodak Polychrome Graphics DirectWorks Suite, KPG's first workflow software. This KPG DirectPress 5634 DI System with DirectWorks supports 16-micron dot diameters for 300 line AM, and Hybrid screening. With the DirectPress 5634 system, industry leading four-color printing can now be delivered with the ease and automation of a DI press. CtP KPG continues to invest in advances to help customers shorten turnaround time while delivering exceptional print quality via CtP production workflows. KPG will be showing the Kodak Polychrome Graphics SWORD Excel Thermal Printing Plate and the co-branded KPG Screen platesetter, the KPG Screen PT-R 4300. The SWORD Excel plate is a write the background plate that requires no preheating or postbaking, cutting processing times and allowing smaller processors. The plate’s exceptional quality and ease of use are driving rapid sales growth in the United States and Canada, particularly among small- and mid-sized printers switching to KPG. At Graph Expo, KPG will show the KPG Thermal Direct Non Process Plate technology, which brings significant streamlining benefits to production workflows. The new plate, based on fourth-generation technology, is designed to help small- to medium-sized general commercial printers improve their working environments by eliminating the cost associated with plate processing and the requirement to store, use and dispose of associated chemicals. Elimination of the traditional processing stage shortens the platemaking cycle, reduces time to press and increases production throughput possibilities. “KPG doesn’t have a vested interest in one technology or another, which allows us to deliver options to our customers. We objectively listen to our customers and integrate the optimal mix of technologies to best meet those needs,” Copley said. “So while visitors to our booth will see the full range of plate, proofing and film products they’ve come to expect from KPG, they will also see integrated digital solutions — including DI and digital printing — that will help them grow their businesses.”