Agfa Graphics today previewed the solutions it will bring at the Emballage World Packaging Exhibition in Paris, France, 20-24 November 2006. These solutions are meant to impact the bottom line of both printers and their customers. They will include live demos of the Dotrix high-speed industrial inkjet press, and the first live demo of the next-generation Energy Elite thermal plate using the Avalon LF CtP system. Both systems will be driven by :ApogeeX for Packaging production software with digital proofing using SherpaProof and SpectraSpot. Dotrix. Dotrix is Agfa's digital inkjet press for package, label, and point-of-purchase materials printing. The Dotrix press uses Agfa's Agorix ink and is driven by Agfa's ApogeeX for packaging production software. Demonstrations will show examples of label and packaging applications. Energy Elite. Agfa's new Energy Elite premium no-bake plate was first announced at Ipex last April but will see its first live demonstration at an exhibition at Emballage. The new thermal plate meets the needs of printers who require long print runs without baking. Agfa's coating technologists have formulated a patented base layer under the thermally sensitised top layer, which gives Energy Elite outstanding chemical resistance. The run length for Energy Elite is 350,000 impressions or more without baking and it is compatible with UV inks, alcohol substitutes and aggressive press chemicals. The press latitude is wide, with low dampening levels and optimum ink/water balance. Energy Elite's high exposure sensitivity enables all platesetters to operate at their maximum throughput. Software Solutions. Agfa Graphics' software solutions for packaging applications will drive both the CtP and digital inkjet systems on the stand. Application files will be sent to either system by ApogeeX in tandem with Deskpack design software and Plato step and repeat software from Esko-Graphics. Sublima cross-modulation screening for enhanced print quality with no extra effort on press will be used to image Energy Elite plates and print quality samples will be on display. Correct contract digital proofing remains a high priority for the packaging industry. Agfa Graphics will use SherpaProof digital proofing and color management systems to show how their contract quality output satisfies the exact requirements of the most demanding applications, with seamless integration in the packaging software portfolio. SpectraSpot measures spot color values and feeds them into ApogeeX to automatically reproduce them correctly on the proof. Agfa Graphics will also share user experiences of the revolutionary Alterno color conversion tool for printers who wish to reduce the number of spot colors used. Alterno is an efficient cost reduction tool for packaging and label printers to print with fewer plate changes and press washes. Alterno reduces the many spot colors by a set of three user definable colors. In addition to reducing printing colors needed, :Alterno yields savings of paper and folding carton for a rapid return on investment. :Alterno works with all screening technologies. It can be fully integrated in Agfa's ApogeeX for Packaging workflow software, or function as a stand alone solution in the printer's existing workflow. To minimise trial and error Agfa Graphics offers color consultancy with Alterno. Agfa's color specialists can audit user print jobs to help select spot colors that will best serve current and future needs.