Hudson, NH - April 30, 2004 - Presstek, a leading developer of digital laser imaging and chemistry-free plate technologies for the printing and graphic arts industries, today announced that KBA will be featuring the new 46 Karat Plus digital offset press at drupa 2004 in Düsseldorf, Germany. An A3 size portrait format four-color digital offset press, the 46 Karat Plus provides a significantly higher level of print quality and key press enhancements over current DI press models in the small format class. The enhanced quality delivered by the 46 Karat Plus is made possible by the incorporation of Presstek’s breakthrough ProFire Excel imaging system. ProFire Excel uses a 16-micron laser spot at 2540 dpi, supports AM (conventional) and FM (stochastic) screening up to 300 lines per inch (120 l/cm), and is optimized to work with Presstek’s ProFire Digital Media. This combination of press, laser, and plate technology results in a new standard in output quality for digital offset presses. Andreas Möessner, KBA's Executive President of Sales for sheetfed presses, said, "With the push of a button, the 46 Karat Plus produces exceptional offset quality printing in small formats. There are no special skills required, no intermediate steps and no use of chemistry. With its streamlined automated digital workflow, the new 46 Karat Plus provides a very efficient way to produce high quality short run color printing." Möessner added, "We believe the 46 Karat Plus will open new opportunities for KBA to increase its overall market share. With the 46 Karat Plus, customers will be better positioned to produce highly profitable printed materials, and we expect that many of them will select additional presses from KBA's portfolio of superior quality products." "This new press represents state-of-the-art printing technology," said Peter Bouchard Presstek’s General Manager for On-Press Imaging. "Now the benefits of DI technology are within reach for a broader array of print service providers with higher quality and productivity than ever before. With the improved productivity and cost efficiency these DI presses offer, they can be cost justified with a few print jobs per day and are the ideal solution for organizations wishing to build a balanced portfolio of customer services." In addition to the higher imaging quality, the new 46 Karat Plus also includes: - An updated inking system that automatically controls ink settings over the complete run, ensuring consistent color and minimized paper waste. - A pre-pile device has been added to allow uninterrupted operation and better efficiency on longer runs. - Availability of a new high power powder spray system, which provides a uniform spray over the entire sheet while reducing the amount of spray powder required. KBA will continue to offer its existing 46 Karat model, providing customers with a variety of pricing options and the ability to choose a press that best fits their needs. When asked if ProFire Excel imaging could be adapted to the existing 46 Karat Press, Tim Turner, Presstek’s Director of On-Press Development stated, "One of the major advantages of ProFire Excel is that it is easily adaptable to different press configurations. Working with KBA, I’m confident we could configure a digital offset press with the quality of ProFire Excel and the affordability and functionality of the 46 Karat." Visitors to drupa 2004 will be able to see the 46 Karat Plus printing live on both the KBA stand in hall 16 and the Presstek stand (9B56).