Itasca, IL, May 29, 2008 - Xeikon, a division of Punch Graphix, legendary for pioneering the first digital color presses, today announces the availability of a high-quality option for its Xeikon 6000 and Xeikon 5000plus digital color printing presses. Until now, these two engines were standard-equipped with a 600 dpi variable dot density resolution. The new 1200 dpi imaging head, initially developed for the Xeikon 8000, is now made available for the Xeikon 6000 and the Xeikon 5000plus as well. The first Xeikon 6000 boasting this new imaging unit is on display at drupa 2008 from May 29 until June 11, 2008.

Xeikon's revolutionary, high-precision LED-based imaging head combines true 1200 dpi resolution and 1200 x 3600 dpi addressability with variable dot density. This unique combination of high resolution, high addressability, and multi-bit depth results in the highest commercial print quality with exceptionally sharp and crisp details, high definition, and smooth tone transitions. In addition the increased resolution is especially useful for printing minute details such as micro-text and guilloches in security features, serifs and fine lines in certain fonts, and hairlines. The new imaging technology makes use of the powerful Pericles screening library, further optimizing overall image quality.

Until now, the Xeikon 6000 and the Xeikon 5000plus were shipped standard with a 600 dpi imaging head. From today onwards, the Xeikon 6000 will come standard with the 1200 dpi imaging unit. For the Xeikon 5000plus, the standard remains 600 dpi resolution, with the 1200 dpi imaging head as an option available from today. Adding the 1200 dpi unit not only impacts the print quality, it also increases the maximum image width from 483 mm (19.0") to 500 mm (19.7").

"We felt it was important to make our new imaging technology available to a broader range of engines and a broader range of applications," says Paul Willems, Chief Marketing Officer at Punch Graphix, adding, "Looking at the markets in which the Xeikon 6000 and Xeikon 5000plus operate, there is obviously a demand for offset-challenging quality. The Xeikon 6000 is the ultimate all-terrain press for integrated high-quality digital color printing from graphic arts quality direct marketing pieces to the most sophisticated web-to-print applications. While users of the Xeikon 5000plus will find that 600 dpi provides them with ample quality, at one point in time they may wish to upgrade to broaden their application portfolio. Also, high-quality print is increasingly in demand for the heavier print media both presses can handle. To summarize: our full line-up of high-end products, the Xeikon 8000, the Xeikon 6000, and the Xeikon 3300, offer 1200 dpi resolution as a standard feature. For our mid-range solution, the Xeikon 5000plus, 1200 dpi is available as an option."

As of Q1 2009, a field upgrade will be available for previously delivered Xeikon 6000 and Xeikon 5000 plus engines.

Commenting on this, Paul Willems says, "The recent launch of the Xeikon 8000 and its new imaging head demonstrates our commitment to developing new technologies, raising the bar every time again. But not only do we strive to develop new technologies, we also continuously improve and fine-tune our existing equipment. This is why we want our current customers to benefit from these new developments as well. By doing so, we are enabling them to secure their investment."

At drupa 2008, visitors can judge the quality impact of the new 1200 dpi imaging head as the Xeikon 6000 is being demonstrated in an integrated book-on-demand application. For more information, visit Xeikon in Hall 8a, stand D25.