July 17, 2006 -- Nearly 400 production managers and business owners from leading pre-media and print operations throughout North America and Europe attended the 41st annual IPA Technical Conference, held June 6-8 in Chicago, where they had the opportunity to participate in the 4th Annual IPA Proofing RoundUP. Based only on measurement of the IT8.7/4 target, leading printing professionals were able to create accurate press to proof matches utilizing the JUST proofStation from JUST Normlicht, in conjunction with inkjet and other hard and soft proofing systems. Test results were impressive and exciting and proved beyond a doubt that proofing strictly by the numbers can achieve excellent results. According to JUST Normlicht President, Michael Gall, reaction to the JUST proofStation was enormously favorable. “All of the participants who utilized the JUST proofStation were impressed with the unparalleled quality of the system, not to mention its sleek, user-friendly design. Being invited to participate in the RoundUP has given us the ability to offer industry experts hands-on experience with our JUST proofStation.” Mr. Gall was not surprised by the ‘no winner’ results. “It has always been our goal to not only meet, but exceed industry standards, especially with regard to our lighting tubes, quality certified by Philips OCM. Since our systems are calibrated beyond ISO standards, we were not surprised that all of the participants were able to achieve the same highest level results. It was a true testament to the ability of the product and we couldn’t be more pleased with the positive responses we have received,” he added. Top color experts in the field of graphic communications, including Mike Rodriguez from RR Donnelley and Steve Smiley from Vertis, judged the results obtained by the various participants. “In all, 33 hard and soft proofing systems were tested. The results were incredible and proved that without tweaking or using a visual reference and only being provided a set of numerical data, the vast majority were able to hit their targets and achieve tremendous quality,” explained Steve Bonoff, President, IPA, The association of Graphic Solutions Providers. “It conveyed a new era of proofing, one in which proofing by numbers enables the attainment of higher quality results in the most efficient manner,” he continued. “IPA thanks JUST Normlicht for their contribution in helping prove that significant progress is being made in the area of color management.”