VALHALLA, N.Y. (July 12, 2006) - Fujifilm's FinalProof GxT digital halftone proofing device ranked in the highest categories at the recent IPA Color Proofing RoundUP, held June 6-8 during the 2006 IPA Technical Conference in Chicago, Ill. Fujifilm's FinalProof GxT, coupled with the manufacturer's Proof Director Pro v3.10, ranked in the highest category for visual evaluation, by both vendors and conference participants, and spot color matching, indicating FinalProof GxT's ability to produce accurate and reliable color. "The FinalProof GxT system has improved its reputation and performance each year, improving its Delta E scores each year," explained Eric Neumann, Enovation's product manager for color and proofing products. The IPA Color Proofing RoundUP consisted of participants building ICC color profiles using supplied targets from press sheets and then outputting proofing strictly based on numbers and with no visual guidance. The RoundUP covered five areas and included both hard- and soft-copy proofing solutions: - Matching images on the press sheet - Delta E tests - Multichannel images (6-color) - Pantone spot colors - Cost analysis According to Dr. Abhay Sharma, chair, School of Graphic Communications Management, Ryerson University, the RoundUP results indicate that a key differentiator among proofing technologies is support for special colors, a capability for which the Fujifilm FinalProof GxT was specifically developed. In extending the color gamut for digital proofing, Fujifilm has added an 8-color library of donor material that, in addition to traditional C, M, Y and K, also includes green, orange, red and reflex blue. Additionally, custom libraries can be created using dot percentages of any donor color, expanding the gamut even further to accurately match more spot colors. The Proofing RoundUP addressed this, testing each of the 33 systems for their support of spot colors. Fujifilm's FinalProof GxT also scored in the "acceptable to excellent" category, the highest ranking, for spot color visual judging for both spot color solids as well as tints. "The ability to accurately reproduce spot colors and tints continues to be a distinguishing factor among proofing technologies available on the market today and especially important in packaging and brand design," added Neumann. "FinalProof makes use of additional donors - including green, orange, red and reflex blue as well as opaque white and silver metallic - to produce and reliably proof specialty and spot colors and tints, a crucial factor for many of today's printers." The FinalProof GxT offers a number of unique features in response to the growing demand for enhanced color matching capability and versatility in proofing substrates. The FinalProof GxT system features an expanded color gamut and allows users to proof on virtually any substrate, including actual printing stock, clear and opaque films and even shrink sleeve media. Building on the company's reputation of excellence in color proofing, Fujifilm gives users of the FinalProof GxT digital contract proofer added flexibility and versatility and allows them to tackle and proof jobs that they've not been able to previously. The combination of improved technology and Enovation's consultative Professional Service Advisors is responsible for the impressive performance of Fujifilm's FinalProof GxT. According to Enovation's Don Schroeder, group manager, Solutions and Development & Support, the Professional Service Advisors consult on-site and are able to bring together a team of experts in a variety of specialties, all working to help customers operate with greater productivity and higher quality. Enovation's Professional Service Advisors are able to assist customer at every phase of the operation: - Color Alignment: Creating solutions for color matching from proof-to-press, between multiple presses and among multiple locations. - Process Control: Designing and applying control procedures to ensure consistency throughout the reproductive process. - Standards Implementation: Creating and implementing production and process changes to consistently and verifiably print to industry standards such as SWOP and GRACoL. - Advanced Screening Implementation: Creating transitions to advanced technologies such as stochastic, hybrid and high-frequency screenings. - Corporate Color Standards: Helping corporations and packaging companies define and communicate special corporate colors. - Color Management Consulting: Implementing International Color Consortium (ICC) technology and standards to help clients control color across a variety of media. - Workflow Consulting: Changing the workplace infrastructure and process to accommodate advanced software and hardware capabilities. - Educational Services: Custom-designed training programs to educate client staff about processes and capabilities. "The FinalProof GxT performed extremely well at the annual RoundUP and, for users who want to see accurate halftone dots and want to proof on the actual printing stock, it's the perfect solution," added Neumann.