Ridgefield Park, NJ – May 18, 2005 – Agfa announced today that Golden Circle Graphics has transitioned from a traditional, processed thermal plate to Agfa's new chemistry-free plate, :Azura. Golden Circle, based in Jackson, TN, has switched to Agfa's new advanced :Azura chemistry-free plate to save in chemistry costs, save time and maintain high quality on its Creo Trendsetter. Golden Circle Graphics is a $2 million printer with 20 employees. The company put :Azura plates through rigorous testing on the Trendsetter earlier this year and is now using them on a regular basis for commercial jobs. "That was the trifecta. Our costs for chemistry were through the roof," said Joel Maners, managing director / partner, Golden Circle Graphics. "With :Azura, there is no pre- or post-bake, so we save time and the electricity used for baking. It takes us about six minutes per plate from the start of the process to get to press. With our old plate it took up to an hour." "Creo platesetter users now have the option to switch to :Azura technology," said Agfa's David Furman, senior marketing manager, CtP systems, North America. "With ;Azura's high-quality imaging capabilities, simplicity and excellent press behavior, :Azura is changing the world of prepress, one printer at a time." In addition to the Creo Trendsetter, :Azura is already in use on Agfa's :Acento, :Xcalibur 45 and Screen's PlateRite CtP systems and Creo's Lotem. Readers who are interested in learning more can contact Agfa at 1-800-540-2432 x4848 or by email at [email protected].