Grand Rapids, MI - The next generation in advanced ink-optimizing software technology is now available from FineEye Color Solutions.  ICEserver Litho 2.0, at an accessible entry-level price of $9,990.00, comes complete with installation, training, industry standard profiles and support.  An exclusive industry innovation, the Expanded Gamut (XG) option is also part of the package with this new product.  This option enables printers to offer customers higher-impact output while realizing even greater ink savings.

Released at Print '09, ICEserver Litho is a revolutionary color separation technology that increases the visual appeal of print, adheres to standards and reduces manufacturing costs.  A hot folder enabled Macintosh application, it processes press-ready CMYK PDF files prior to output on lithographic presses.  These files create cleaner colors, neutral gray balance and improved dynamic range when printed on sheetfed or heatset and coldset web presses.

"Although some other ink optimization products cost only a few thousand dollars more or even slightly less, ICEserver is the only product today that will not degrade quality for the sake of ink savings," asserts Ian Mackenzie, Vice President of Marketing for the Grand Rapids, Michigan-based firm.  "ICEserver Litho 2.0 adheres to GRACoL, SWOP, SNAP or any shop standard while delivering the performance of the only 'no-compromise' ink and quality optimization product on the market today.

"This is the double-edge technology print operations need today.  On one hand, with cash flow tighter than ever before, every penny of ink savings counts.  Our accessible approach for ICEserver Litho 2.0 makes these savings easily achievable.  Most customers are seeing payback in less than four months.

"The second edge for printers - and it's a big one - is ICEserver Litho 2.0-XG, our Expanded Gamut option that's part of this complete product package.  More and more marketers are excited by the 'WOW' factor that Expanded Gamut printing can add to their catalogs and collateral, plus packaging and promotions.  Printers who can deliver this capability will have a decided edge in today's print battle."

Optimizing ink savings without compromising color output: no quality tradeoffs
Mackenzie points out that ICEserver Litho 2.0 helps printers be more profitable by delivering an average 25 percent savings in ink usage without sacrificing color quality in the process.

Unlike GCR-based products, ICEserver Litho 2.0 doesn't "rob Peter to pay Paul" to aggressively provide ink savings.  According to Mackenzie, these products try to compensate for less CMY dot area coverage by significantly increasing black overall in order to maintain film thickness on-press.  This typically leads to less contrast (particularly in flesh tones), general color loss and a flatter appearance.  Press operators then compensate by boosting ink density on-press, which still leaves less-than-ideal output and also eats up most of the projected ink savings.

In contrast, ICEserver Litho 2.0 selectively zeros-in to optimize each color in any area of the image, using FineEye Color Solutions' exclusive, patent-pending Intelligent Color Engine (ICE).  Developed by print-savvy specialists who are tuned into all aspects of prepress through finished production, the ICE ability to read and match multiple facets of ink interaction with specific substrates  - as well as optimize performance on virtually any press - is truly unique.  Its calculations incorporate ink film thickness, ink tack, viscosity and more, so separations maintain ink density on-press without loss of visual color saturation, richness and tone.

"The typical result is richer, truer colors with higher contrast, and more visually pleasing output that is spot-on when compared with the original," Mackenzie says.  "ICEserver Litho 2.0 delivers the ink savings you're after with no loss in quality whatsoever.  You can expect to meet the standard you seek every time."

Using ICEserver Litho 2.0-XG (Expanded Gamut) option to expand your business
While hitting the standard is "it" when printing publications, Mackenzie observes that GRACoL, SWOP and/or G7 standards generally establish a minimum "expected" target for other types of projects.

"Marketers everywhere are looking for a new, extra edge, and Expanded Gamut printing is gaining momentum as the way to get it.  That's where the ICEserver Litho 2.0-XG option comes in.  It's another timely tool that can benefit printers today.

"ICEserver Litho 2.0-XG gives you a 20-percent larger gamut volume compared to GRACoL.  Suddenly you can impress customers and prospects with higher impact, eye-popping proofs.  When they say 'Yes! That's the extra edge I want,' you can deliver to G7 Extreme standards on-press, too.  As an added bonus, printing with our XG option also increases your ink savings.  It's all part of the package in the new entry-level priced ICEserver Litho 2.0 ink- and quality-optimizing product."

You can get a firsthand look at how ICEserver Litho 2.0 stacks up against other ink optimization tools during the IDEAlliance + IPA Technical Conference, June 7-8, 2010, at the Westin O'Hare Hotel in Rosemont, Illinois.  Visit the Value Added Printing Pavilion and ask to see results of the "Ink Optimization RoundUP," an independent technical evaluation of nearly a dozen ink optimization software products from around the world.

RoundUP evaluation categories included printing to GRACoL, ink reduction, stability on press and overall image quality.  Inkjet proofing and offset printing tests were conducted, the latter at a Chicago-area press manufacturer's facility.  If you can't attend the Technical Conference, the Ink Optimization RoundUP report may be requested from IDEAlliance.  See your FineEye Color Solutions representative for contact details.