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Creo Demonstrates Integrated Solutions for Printer Profitability at Graph Expo

Press release from the issuing company

Graph Expo 2003 Chicago, IL (September 28, 2003) – Creo Inc. is demonstrating efficient, integrated prepress solutions for outstanding print quality at Graph Expo, North America’s largest print industry trade show this year. Creo features the newest developments to help printers of all sizes to streamline their operations, become more profitable and expand their markets at Graph Expo booth #4008 from September 28 to October 1, 2003 in Chicago, IL. Creo Positive Thermal Plate (PTP) Launch New and existing Creo customers in North America and Europe, where Creo PTP is now available, can implement a cost-effective, highly-integrated, all-Creo prepress solution that includes creative software, digital camera backs, scanners, workflow management systems, proofing devices, computer-to-plate imaging systems as well as the thermal printing plates. The Creo Positive Thermal Plate uses the company’s own patented plate technology. The Creo plate is suitable for long-run lengths with no pre- or post-baking; has great press performance, and batch-to-batch consistency. Networked Graphic Production Partners Total 27 More than two dozen industry-leading companies have joined Networked Graphic Production, the strategic initiative launched by Creo two years ago, to create a seamless, integrated production environment using open industry standards such as JDF. “These leading vendors have committed to create JDF-based integration and deliver tangible benefits to our joint customers," says Amos Michelson, Creo chief executive officer. "Networked Graphic Production is helping printers, print buyers, suppliers and creative professionals to integrate, automate and optimize their operations and create a more efficient and collaborative environment. We are making interoperability real.” Efficiency Demonstrated on the Show Floor The Creo booth at Graph Expo incorporates an on-site print shop demonstrating integrated solutions for creative, prepress and digital printing. The designer studio is equipped with the brand new Leaf Valeo 22 digital camera back, the iQsmart3 professional color scanner and the Integris proofing solution. Creo features a new faster Integris proofer model, double-sided printing capability, additional Integris media, color services, and enhanced Profile Wizard software support. These enhancements make the Integris proofing system the most complete drop-on-demand proofing solution on the market. Synapse Prepare software is ready to create print-ready PDF files and the new version of the Synapse InSite prepress portal demonstrates remote job submission, proofing, collaboration, approvals and workflow automation with unprecedented control, performance and integration with prepress workflow. Integrated management information systems from Networked Graphic Production Partners, Printcafe and Prism, are online exchanged data automatically with the prepress and business systems through Synapse Link software. Material usage and customer changes are tracked for efficient billing of chargeable items. The EverSmart Supreme scanner is operating in the prepress department where the new Veris proofer is producing proofs with the Creo Certified Process. The latest versions of Prinergy and Brisque workflow management systems, with new features and enhanced productivity, drive the highly automated Lotem 400 platesetter that is exposing the new Creo Positive Thermal Plate. Prinergy 2.2 Released The latest version of the Prinergy workflow management system focuses on powerful new automation, enhanced quality and control in the press room. Version 2.2 features the new Creo PDF Trapper with enhanced functionality and user-friendliness in addition to the existing automated and manual, press-ready PDF-to-PDF vector trapping and interactive editing. Prinergy also features the new Creo Color Management, which enables complete ICC-based color management for platemaking and proofing. New functionality such as ‘Center Page’ and the ‘CEPS Detector’ reduce the need for manual intervention as well as enhancements for exiting licensable features such as the Advanced Production Automation Editor. Prinergy 2.2 also features new versions of Creo Virtual Proofing System software for Mac OS X and Windows supporting transparent colors, an unlimited number of spot colors, stronger zoom functions and the ability to save color definitions across multiple jobs. Existing Prinergy users with Creo support contracts can upgrade their software to all the new features of version 2.2 at no charge. Pandora Boosts Productivity Creo is also demonstrating Pandora 2.5 software, the latest release of the PDF-based step-and-repeat packaging layout solution. Prepress professionals in packaging and label printing are experiencing increased efficiency and greatly improved accuracy. New Automation for Trendsetter CTP Creo is demonstrating the new ContinuousLoad automation option for the recently introduced Trendsetter 400 II and Trendsetter 800 II computer-to-plate systems. The ContinuousLoad option includes a new load table on which a plate can be pre-staged for loading while another plate is imaging, and a fully automatic unload table which delivers imaged plates directly to an in-line processor. The 8-page systems also include a plate rotator on the unload table to ensure the plate is delivered to the processor most efficiently. This combination of features allows the Trendsetter 800 II to reach its maximum productivity of 34 8-page plates per hour with less frequent operator intervention. The ContinuousLoad option will be available later this year and will be compatible with the Spectrum halftone proofing option for maximum flexibility. Field upgrade to the fully automatic Trendsetter Autoloader option will also be available. Digital Printing Creo also features a digital printing department with the Spire color server driving the Xerox DocuColor 6060 digital press, with the Darwin Desktop variable information authoring tool for creating, proofing and printing complex personalized jobs. New Spire color servers are being launched for the Xerox DocuColor 3535 and 5252 production printers. These servers provide high-quality color, good productivity and variable data printing capabilities at affordable system rates to commercial printers, graphics arts and office environments. Staccato Showcase Thousands of samples printed of commercial printing, packaging, and publications produced by Creo customers with Staccato screening are undergoing intense inspection by Graph Expo visitors. Remanufactured Creo Systems At booth #4753, a remanufactured Lotem 400 computer-to-plate system is on display. Remanufactured Creo platesetters and imagesetters undergo the same rigorous quality checks on the same production line as a brand new product.