Vandalia, OH, June 28, 2005 – Latran Technologies, a recognized leader in the industry's most advanced digital halftone proofing technology, and Esko-Graphics, the market leader in integrated packaging pre-production solutions, announce that they have entered into a distribution agreement for the U.S. and Canada. Latran will sell the Esko-Graphics FlexRip multi-purpose RIP for the Latran Prediction Digital Halftone Proofing System. Direct interfaces to the FlexRip RIP enable Prediction systems to image the same halftone dots as the flexo plate, delivering significant value to packaging customers. Latran Technologies has the largest product offering of digital halftone proofing systems in the industry. The company’s Prediction family of digital halftone proofing systems is meeting and exceeding the ever-increasing demands of packaging printers and service providers. Prediction, as the name implies, is the most accurate and consistent predictor of how a job will look coming off the press. Prediction will deliver consistent results that can easily be matched on press, instilling confidence in the digital flexo process and saving valuable time and money by reducing the make-ready time on press. With this FlexRip offering, Prediction easily integrates into the Esko-Graphics workflow to allow for a dot-based proof that will show the same screening as the press. Because Prediction proofs on the actual press substrate, it delivers a proof without compromises and can also be used to make mockups. A key component of Esko-Graphics Scope workflow environment, FlexRip is a multi-purpose RIP offering a variety of output formats and driving a wide range of output devices. It is workflow and device-independent and features groundbreaking screening technologies for a wide range of printing processes, including digital printing. Kaleidoscope, FlexRip’s device-independent color engine, an unmatched tool for superior color accuracy. It excels in color management of special colors such as Pantone and house colors. Kaleidoscope ensures a fully automated conversion to the Prediction press color space and an exact color matching of most special colors produced with the Prediction systems. “Latran is very excited about the opportunity to distribute Esko-Graphics’ FlexRip software. We continue to see a high percentage of our customer installations in flexo adopting the Esko-Graphics workflow, or looking to implement one,” remarks Richard Deroo, Director of Marketing & Strategic Alliances for Latran Technologies. “It was a natural fit for us to combine two best-in-class products, FlexRip and Prediction, for our flexo customers. Integrating FlexRip with Prediction enables our customers to complete the digital flexo workflow.” "Esko-Graphics is pleased that Latran has made the decision to bundle FlexRip with their Prediction Digital Halftone Proofing System. The Prediction proofing system carries the same high-quality, technology advancing attributes that are consistent with Esko-Graphics products," remarks Mark Vanover, Esko-Graphics Director of Marketing. “With our color management and RIPping software and Latran’s accurate printing engines, customers are assured of an accurate representation of a printed flexo press sheet.”