Graph Expo, October 26, 2008: Today at Graph Expo, Global Graphics announced the addition of the HXM (Harlequin Cross-Modulated) screening module to the range of products available to evaluate by the interactivecommunity of Harlequin RIP users at the online store at www.harlequin.com. HXM, which is supplied as a Screening Option upgrade to the Harlequin RIP, uses hybrid screening to improve print quality by increasing the output lines per inch (LPI)  at lower resolutions.

Harlequin RIP users are able to download the HXM installer for a free 30-day trial to evaluate its suitability for their purposes. There is no commitment to buy, and after evaluation, users are free to choose whether or not to purchase the product via their preferred Harlequin RIP dealer or reseller.

"HXM significantly improves the printing quality and therefore opens up more print sales opportunities," says Ralph Lloyd, VP of product marketing at Global Graphics. "If you are resizing images you are going to lose detail, especially in the highlight and shadow areas. With HXM you don't lose that detail and the sharpness and quality are retained. It also widens the variety of paper choices available and all of this means the ability to attract high end work and high end profit."

HXM screening is a solution which addresses the issue of the need to print on lower quality or recycled papers to control cost, yet at the same time fulfill the high expectations of the customer.  Its use of hybrid screening allows the enlargement or reduction of images without affecting quality or detail. In fact, it can significantly improve the print quality with smoother flesh tones, flat tints and gradient transitions. This is achieved
by controlling the dot size in the highlight and shadow, ensuring it is does not disappear in the light areas or merge in the dark areas.

As HXM is a combination of traditional AM screening with FM screening, it eliminates the problem of moiré by using higher screen rulings than 150 LPI, but without the risk of loss of quality. For example, if a printer is currently imaging plates at 2400 DPI with output at 150 LPI, and is able to hold a 1% dot when printing on the required substrate, by using HXM screens it would be possible to print at 200-250 LPI without any special pre-press
or on-press requirements.

Printers need not worry about compatibility with their equipment as HXM screens are pre-tuned, created and encrypted to match most OEM's presses, plates, paper, chemistry and RIP settings combinations.

Having products such as HXM available for evaluation and purchase at harlequin.com is proving to be an essential resource for the two hundred thousand Harlequin RIP users worldwide. The obligation-free trial period gives users the freedom to explore thoroughly the opportunities and resources on offer.

The Harlequin RIP was first used in a production system in 1988 and is used to power a vast number of operations and printing devices including CtP, proofers, short-run print, wide format print, and PDF workflows applications. It has processed PostScript natively since 1988, PDF natively since 1997 and is the first commercially available graphic arts
RIP to natively process files in the new XPS print format (XML Paper Specification) available with Windows VistaTM. Native processing of file formats renders files more accurately and speedily because there is no conversion to an intermediary format. Native processing of files means there is no need to flatten transparencies in artwork.