HUDSON, N.H., Presstek, Inc. and Xerox Corporation today announced that the parties have signed an agreement for Presstek to supply Xerox with a series of three Presstek enabled DI(R) presses and related consumables which Xerox will market, distribute and service worldwide on a co-branded basis. The products included in the agreement are four- and five-color versions of a B3 size sheet-fed press which Xerox will market as the DocuColor 400 DI-4 and the DocuColor 400 DI-5, respectively, and an A3 size four-color sheet-fed press which Xerox will market as the DocuColor 233 DI. The agreement also covers distribution of PEARLdry(TM) spooled printing plates. The parties anticipate that additional products may be added to the agreement. According to the terms of the agreement, Xerox will have exclusive marketing and sales rights to the DocuColor 400 DI presses and semi-exclusive sales and distribution rights to the DocuColor 233 DI. Shipments of both presses are expected to begin in the fourth quarter of this year. "The blending of Presstek's and Xerox's technologies opens exciting new opportunities for both companies," said Robert Hallman, Presstek's president and chief executive officer. "Xerox has the sales force and experience in customer satisfaction to significantly expand DI's reach in the marketplace, and the addition of the DocuColor DI Series to Xerox's product line provides Xerox the opportunity to offer its customers one-stop shopping." "In the new business of printing, it is vital to have a printing system that can combine the strengths of both digital and offset," said Gerhard Moll, senior vice president and general manager Xerox Color Business. "Incorporating Presstek's digital imaging technology, the new DocuColor DI Series broadens Xerox's offerings to both current and new customers." Xerox will exhibit and take orders for its new DI presses at Graph Expo 2000. Graph Expo, the largest prepress and printing trade show and conference in the Americas, will take place at McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois from September 24, 2000 through September 27, 2000. Founded in 1987, Presstek, Inc. is a leading developer and international marketer of non-photographic, non-toxic digital imaging and printing plate technologies for the printing and graphic arts industries. Presstek's products and applications incorporate PEARL(R) and DI(R) technologies and utilize PEARL consumables for computer-to-plate and direct-to-press applications. The company's patented DI and PEARL thermal laser diode family of products enable its customers to produce high quality, full-color lithographic printed materials more quickly and cost efficiently.