Hershey, PA (America East, Booth #89) -- Agfa Graphics announced today that two U.S. newspaper beta test sites are already experiencing the many benefits associated with Violet chem-free plates and seeing excellent quality and substantial cost savings.  The new :N92 -VCF (Violet Chemistry Free) digital plate will be shown at the America East Show (Booth #89) April 6-8, 2009, Hershey, PA.
 
There has never been a better time to bring this new technology to market. With :N92-VCF, the newspaper industry can now significantly reduce their costs. Beyond the savings and environmental benefits, Violet chem-free offers a far more consistent plate by removing all the processing variables of platemaking.  The :N92-VCF plates produce an exceptionally strong image contrast and there's absolutely no on-press contamination," said Sheila Nysko, Agfa's Business Development Director, North America Newspaper Systems.
 
Agfa's first :N92-VCF plate installation was at Island Packet's Hilton Head, SC facility. "Like most newspapers today," said  William King, production manager at Island Packet,"we're interested in cost savings while maintaining optimum quality. We also knew it was time to move to an environmentally friendly plate. We're pleased to say Agfa's chem-free plate is surpassing our expectations. Chemistry-free plates offer savings in multiple areas including time consuming processor maintenance, water usage, chemistry and inventory.  This new plate is achieving a good dot structure with excellent color reproduction," he added.
 
Post and Courier, another long time Agfa newspaper customer with two :Advantage DLs and :Arkitex Workflow, recently converted to :N92-VCF digital plates. Mickey Bella, vice president of Shared Services, recently said, "We're always investigating new technologies and solutions to ensure our business remains efficient and cost effective. There's no doubt that Agfa's chem-free plate was a priority on our list. We wanted to take our company forward and gain the benefits of plate-making without chemistry as soon as possible. Not only are we attaining the run length and quality we require, but the cost savings as well. We no longer need to purchase chemistry, clean processors, or handle hazardous waste. This is the kind of innovation newspapers require today."
 
Globally, Agfa is the leader in chemistry-free CtP with more than 3000 installations worldwide and 80% market share.  This extension into Violet chemistry-free plates is the next logical step.  It is also a way for newspapers to reduce costs, increase efficiencies and productivity while maintaining the highest quality output.  Agfa will be demonstrating the N:92- VCF plates as well the following newspaper solutions at its booth (#89) at America East:
 
:Advantage N-SL -  Agfa's new CtP system that can image up to 100 plates per hour with automatic plate loading from a 100-plate stack loader and on-line processing.It is a total solution with a small foot print that can handle both Agfa Graphics' current :N91-V and the new chemistry-free :N92-VCF plate.
 
:Arkitex Essentials - New newspaper workflow designed with the needs of the small and medium papers in mind. Now the power of :Arkitex is  available to all newspapers.
 
:Arkitex OptiInk - Ink savings technology automatically converts color spaces to ensure consistent printed colors. Using Smart Input Space Recognition technology the software effectively addresses many PDF/color problems. :Arkitex OptiInk also automatically converts spot colors into CMYK and processes them. With OptiInk, newspapers can save up to 30% of their ink costs while attaining faster roll-up times and improved press stability.
 
:Arkitex IntelliTune -  Automated image toning offers magazine-like  quality on newsprint. It uses Multi-Dimensional Processing (MDP) to analyze the tone, color and spatial characteristics of each image and automatically applies the necessary corrections for the best reproduction on press.
 
:Sublima - Higher print quality through higher screen ruling with no additional effort on press. It uses an XM screening technology to enhance and improve print quality.