DAYTON, OH (30 April 2004) Every four years, experts and enthusiasts from the printing and paper industries converge on Düsseldorf, Germany to attend Drupa; the premier trade exhibition that showcases the latest technology and product innovations for media production and processing. The exhibition is world-renowned for introducing new technologies that re-shape the industries and it appears that Drupa 2004 will live up to the event's reputation. In keeping with the technology and innovation theme, Day will exhibit the latest product innovations being marketed by its flagship brands: dayGraphica, davidM, Varn, and Rotec, Two of the most revolutionary technologies, the Durazone compressible layer marketed under the dayGraphica brand and the Apollo web conditioning technology from Varn, have the potential to alter the status quo for printing blankets and web conditioners in general. The DuraZone technology, a real example of Day's technology leadership, produces a revolutionary new compressible layer in the printing blanket, to dramatically increase the blanket's durability without sacrificing print quality. In the past, printers had to sacrifice quality to get durability; but with this new technology, it's no longer the case. The printer now gets the durability plus the superior print quality they've come to expect from Day blankets. Bill Branson, Business Manager/dayGraphica says, "Printers who are already printing with the Durazone compressible layer agree that the technology is one of the most significant blanket innovations to come along in recent years." Currently, the new compressible layer is available only in the dayGraphica 5000 Series-a new series developed for heatset web printing." Another new dayGraphica printing blanket to be showcased is the dayGraphica 3612, one of Day's most versatile blankets. The 3612 is designed to accommodate the entire range of printing applications from heatset web through commercial sheetfed and sheetfed packaging. With regard to pressroom chemistry, Day will highlight several new technologies marketed under its Varn brand. One of the technologies is the Apollo 900 Web Conditioner, an innovative product that's effective, user-friendly, and will likely replace the printer's age-old practice of hand-mixing anti-stat additives and silicones. Printers already using Varn Apollo 900 say that it saves them time and money because it's so easy to use; plus it's extraordinarily effective in eliminating static, marking, and ink smearing. Jeff Pieper, Business Manager/Varn says, "Our technology group wanted to formulate a web conditioner that addresses the printer's need to reduce cost, and at the same time, preserve product quality. With Apollo 900, they've unequivocally achieved the goal. When you consider the effectiveness of Apollo 900, we believe it will soon become part of the regimen printers are now adapting to stay competitive and profitable." Other new Varn products will include its exciting line of pre-press products. The portfolio, which includes chemistry for both conventional and CtP plate processing, offers distinct advantages over other pre-press chemical products such as improved bath life, cleaner tanks, fewer coating changes, and increased throughput. Varn will also introduce its product portfolio of coatings-a product line that satisfies over 80% of the wet-on-wet and wet-on-dry sheetfed requirements for packaging and commercial applications. For the flexographic printer, Day's Rotec brand will exhibit its range of Ready-to-Image products, sleeve systems and support products. Rotec will introduce several new product innovations, but one of the most exciting is the new Cyrel Round, a disposable, round and seamless photopolymer plate being developed in partnership with DuPont. The key benefits of this revolutionary product are reduced start-up waste, faster press speeds, and overall better printing efficiency. Rotec will also present its new Greyback compressible foam for plate mounting, Omega Surface Technology for the new Blue Light Nx anilox sleeve, and the new Ani Light Nx, a super lightweight anilox sleeve. In addition to these exciting new technologies, Day will also showcase a number of new innovative products from its leading brands. Day International operates production, sales, and distribution centers in North America, Latin America, Europe, and Asia Pacific. Its brands of printing products include: dayGraphica printing blankets and sleeves, david M printing blankets, Varn pressroom chemicals, Rotec flexographic sleeves, Day-Corr die-cutting mats, and Day-Flo pre-inked rolls. To learn more about Day, visit www.dayintl.com or in North America call 800.877.8187.