HUDSON, N.H., Sept. 12 -- Presstek, Inc., a leading manufacturer and marketer of environmentally responsible digital offset printing business solutions for the graphic arts markets, today announced that the Presstek 52DI digital offset press, first released in April to the European market, is now available for the North American market. This 52cm landscape press will be showcased at Graph Expo 2006 in Booth #3822 at McCormick Place in Chicago from October 15th through 18th, 2006. "Market research documents it, and our customer base confirms it -- short-run, high quality color is a key growth opportunity for today's print service providers," said Geoff Loftus, Presstek's General Manager for Presses. "The Presstek 52DI, a 52cm landscape press, allows print service providers to capitalize on the markets' move towards short-run color by producing high quality printing -- quickly, efficiently and profitably. The 52DI's level of flexibility, speed, quality, ease-of-use, and productivity provides a breakthrough for printers who are faced with the daily reality of quickly producing a broad variety of short-run color work -- and doing so profitably." The Presstek 52DI, making its North American debut at Graph Expo, is a highly automated 52cm landscape sheetfed four-color digital offset printing press that combines the efficiency of an all-digital workflow with the versatility and quality of a conventional waterless press. The prepress file can be sent directly to the DI where the entire plate handling process is totally automatic -- all four plates are imaged on-press in precise registration. This eliminates manual intervention such as the loading or unloading of plates in-between jobs, while reducing steps and potential errors. The 52DI also features Presstek's unique Zero Transfer Printing (ZTP) process in which all four colors are laid down on the sheet without any transfer between grippers, whereas a conventional press requires tower-to-tower sheet transfer which challenges registration and restricts substrate choices. Eliminating sheet transfer delivers first sheet registration and results in an unsurpassed level of sheet-to-sheet and job-to job-consistency and repeatability. In addition, it expands the available range of printing media -- including 20 pt. stock, styrene, converted envelopes and pocket folders. The 52DI automates additional tasks from the amount of ink required per plate through to cleaning the blanket and plates. This automated changeover allows the press operator to perform other tasks, improving overall shop productivity while producing four-color makereadies in approximately 10 minutes -- including plate imaging and sellable color within about 20 sheets. The speed and efficiency of the 52DI's makeready represents a significant waste reduction compared to conventional offset. These time saving features, and the faster drying time of waterless ink, enable the fast turn around of high-quality print jobs -- including same day service, while reducing costly waste and increasing profitability. More work can be produced on the 52DI in less time than with a conventional press and it eliminates the workflow steps and costs associated with other methods of printing plate production, while being less dependent on operator training and experience. The waterless technology of the landscape format 52DI press, in addition to the unique 2:1 roll out ratio of the 52DI's ink train, provide the benefits of unparalleled ink coverage and the ability to print solids more easily. The waterless process of the DI press produces a broader color gamut with a very thin ink film and eliminates the struggle to manage ink and water balance. Printing with a thin film of ink maintains the clarity of color and offers the ability to easily print solids -- even a four color black. The landscape orientation and 52cm design (20.47 x 14.76 inches or 520 x 375mm sheet size) of the Presstek 52DI press provides more efficient sheet utilization and addresses a wider range of applications. Printing jobs such as business cards, post cards, invitations and similar applications can be completed in fewer sheets, in less time, and with less waste. This format also expands business opportunities for printing oversized pieces such as book covers with large spines, and easily accommodates jobs with full bleeds, register marks and control bars. The 52DI can print up to 10,000 impressions per hour while easily printing up to 300 lpi (and FM screening) without incurring additional time or expense. The 52DI is the fastest way to go from file to a superior quality, low cost, sellable sheet. Differentiated and Compatible Workflow According to market research conducted by InfoTrends, Inc., the DI press is twice as profitable as conventional offset, and up to four times more profitable than copier-based technology for short-run color. The DI fits the profitability gap that is left open between the digital copier-based technology which run most profitably under 250 impressions and conventional presses at over 20,000 impressions. The 52DI's robustness also makes it a work horse. "We believe that the 52DI is a great business solution for print service providers," said Ed Marino, Presstek's President and CEO. "We are finding that the Presstek 52DI is up to three times faster than a conventional 52cm landscape press in the time it takes to produce work -- from file to printed sheet. In addition, the 52DI's automation and ease-of-use reduces the steps and labor involved in the process which can result in a four-fold profitability advantage over a comparative conventional press. Increased productivity and profitability are key components for success in today's highly competitive print market. We are excited about the positive business impact that the 52DI can have for our customers." Summary With demands increasing in the market for high-quality, superior quality color, the Presstek 52DI press will enable printers to capitalize on the short-run growth market, increasing the volume of business from existing customers as well as positioning them to acquire new customers who are seeking these differentiated capabilities. Personal demonstrations of the Presstek 52DI press at Graph Expo can be scheduled by visiting www.Presstek.com/events. For more information visit http://www.presstek.com, or email: [email protected], or call in North America 603-595-7000.