Ridgefield Park, NJ - Agfa Graphics announced today that Huston Patterson, a packaging printer specializing in labels and top sheets, has been able to cut chemistry consumption and substantially reduce energy costs since transitioning to :Energy Elite.

Based in Decatur, IL, Huston Patterson's special products division, Sigma Graphics, has been a full-service commercial printer specializing in sheet-fed offset printing for more than 50 years.

"We are able to work faster and reduce our energy costs thanks to :Energy Elite's no-bake capabilities," said Stephen Frantz, Chief Operating Officer, Huston Patterson. "Best of all, we were able to upgrade our plate technology but did not have to raise prices to our clients, which is great in this competitive market."

:Energy Elite is an aluminum, grained and anodized positive-working thermal plate that prints up to 340 lpi. :Energy Elite uses an advanced, patented emulsion that tolerates variations in exposure and processing, providing superior imaging through at least a half-million impressions. Chemical consumption and costs are kept to a minimum and maintenance is reduced via an extended bath life. The plate delivers robust, dependable press performance under an extensive range of press conditions, without the need to post-bake.

"Today, in order to be successful, commercial printers require effective printing solutions that help them manage their businesses in an efficient and profitable manner. Companies like Huston Patterson have found that Agfa's :Energy Elite is exceptional solution that helps them reduce costs, improve productivity and satisfy environmental concerns," said Agfa's Deborah Hutcheson, Director of Marketing,
Agfa North America.

:Energy Elite is compatible with UV inks, alcohol substitutes and aggressive press chemicals. The plate is daylight safe, has a wide latitude and its graining technology offers low scratch sensitivity and high resistance against roller marking. *Run lengths vary due to specific press conditions.