HUDSON, N.H., Sept. 18 -- Presstek, Inc., a leading provider of direct digital imaging technology, continues to demonstrate its leadership and innovation in chemistry-free plate technology with its growing family of chemistry-free plate products. The process-free Applause printing plate is the latest in Presstek's industry-leading portfolio of chemistry-free CTP thermal plate products, which also includes Anthem, and new technology plate targeted at specific market applications. Anthem: The First, Most Successful, Chemistry-Free Thermal CTP Plate The Anthem plate, a winner of the GATF Intertech Award, is the industry's first and most successful chemistry-free thermal plate. After imaging, Anthem requires only a simple rinse with water. Anthem, together with Presstek's Dimension CTP system, provides printers with ease of use and outstanding performance -- resulting in Presstek's win of the number one market position among commercial printers with less than twenty employees using metal-based plates, according to the North American Market Scanning Service Report by State Street Consultants. Applause: The First Process-Free Thermal CTP Plate The Applause plate is the world's first process-free thermal CTP plate. Applause, a wet offset plate, is engineered to provide run-lengths up to 100,000 impressions and is designed to go from platesetter to press with no intermediate chemicals or processing. It is scheduled to be available for order with new Dimension platesetters at Graph Expo 2003. The plate will initially be available in North America, and is expected to be available for third-party thermal platesetters upon completion of testing. The New Technology for the Instant and Small Commercial Print Market To further demonstrate Presstek's position as a leading supplier of digital media, Presstek today announces a new chemistry-free thermal plate using a unique technology. The first product using this important new technology is a non-ablative, short-run plate that requires less power to image. Like the award winning Anthem plate, the new plate requires only a simple wash with water after imaging. This plate will bring the benefits of chemistry-free metal-based CTP to the instant and small commercial printer. As a first step, this exciting new plate will be marketed on an OEM basis. Presstek's CEO & President Edward J. Marino says, "There is no question that a chemistry-free workflow results in a more productive and profitable operating environment. Each product in Presstek's revolutionary chemistry-free portfolio of printing plates is specifically designed to provide that environment. We believe Presstek offers the best in chemistry-free, environmentally-friendly offset solutions to today's printing market."