HUDSON, N.H., April 9 -- Presstek, Inc., a leading provider of direct digital imaging technology, is demonstrating its leadership in both DI (direct imaging) and CTP at IPEX 2002, the global technology event for print, publishing and media. Held once every four years in Birmingham, U.K., IPEX runs today through April 17th. Presstek's award-winning DI, plate and CTP technologies will be on display at its own booth, as well as at numerous partner booths including Heidelberg, KBA, Ryobi and Sakurai. The company's Dimension CTP and thermal plate solutions will be shown in the Presstek, KBA, Sakurai, Electronics for Imaging and Creo booths. Presstek Demonstrates New Process-free Thermal Technology In a live demonstration at IPEX 2002, Presstek will be imaging its newest plate technology, Applause, on a Presstek Dimension800 CTP system. Not yet commercial, Applause has been conceived to be a long-run process-free thermal plate technology -- it is designed for users to just image and print. Applause is Presstek's fourth generation of process-free plate technology. John O'Rourke, Presstek's Director of Consumables Marketing, states, "We believe Applause is a unique thermal plate technology that represents the future in DI and CTP plates; one that will free printers from the world of processors, safelights, chemicals, and the costs and process steps associated with them." Presstek is planning to produce Applause in aluminum and polyester sheet formats as well as in polyester spools, which is expected to make it easily adaptable to many CTP and DI printing applications. For users of thermal CTP systems and conventional offset presses, Applause is expected to provide a totally process-free workflow, eliminating the need for processors, ovens and processing chemistry. Applause is also expected to be available for hybrid DI presses such as the Sakurai Oliver 574 EPII DI and Heidelberg Speedmaster74 DI, as well as for DI presses with an internal cylinder in a spooled format. A commercial release date for Applause has not been announced; however beta testing is scheduled to begin within the next 12 months. Presstek Leads the Industry in Process-free Thermal CTP Presstek's Dimension computer-to-plate systems and Anthem thermal plates continue to gain market share. Customers are attracted by the system's low cost of ownership and chemistry-free workflow, plus industry-standard Presstek DI imaging. With Presstek's Dimension/Anthem CTP system the only processing step required is a simple cleaning with water, resulting in a chemical-free plate making operation. Both the Dimension400 and Dimension800 systems will be on display at IPEX. Dimension400 Automatic Plate Loading At IPEX, Presstek will demonstrate the Dimension400 with its new automatic plate loading system. The Dimension Auto Plate Loader automates the imaging and delivery process down to a simple point-and-click. The new Dimension auto-loading process is specifically designed for the small to mid-size shop that requires a CTP solution supporting multiple plate sizes without operator intervention. Marc Johnson, Presstek's CTP Marketing Manager explains, "Since the Auto Plate Loader eliminates the labor needed to load, image and wash plates, it is especially appealing." Johnson continues, "This option allowsan operator to set-up their CTP system, and literally forget about it. They can concentrate on preparing jobs, proofing, and then just feed plates when it's convenient." Dimension800 Images Eight-Page Plates at Max Resolution in 5 Minutes Presstek will also demonstrate the Dimension800 platesetter at its IPEX stand. The Dimension800 is an eight-page system providing a compact design and easy operation. The system images Presstek's Anthem and PEARLdry plates; the largest size plate is imaged in less than 5.1 minutes at maximum resolution. Presstek Expands Leadership Role In the Growth of Digital Printing Stan Najmr, Director of DI Marketing for Presstek, speaks of the continuing growth in the DI market, "Attendees at IPEX will see confirmation of the accelerated adoption of DI presses. KBA, Presstek's newest strategic partner, is exhibiting their new DI press, the 46 Karat, which utilizes Presstek's ProFire imaging technology and PEARLdry Plus plates." The compact design of the two-page 46 Karat resembles that of the 74 Karat. Engineered to deliver quick turnaround times for short-run color, the machine's superb registration and color yield high quality at low cost. Job changes take just 10 minutes, thanks to an advanced level of automation. Popularity and Profitability Confirmation of Presstek's award-winning technology is not only evidenced by the growing popularity of its wide range of products, but also in third party market research. A recently released study by CAP Ventures for Heidelberg USA shows that users of DI presses continue to be profitable. The study reports that users of Heidelberg's Quickmaster DI outperform the average printer in the marketplace. Quickmaster DI owners' report, on average, a 45% gross profit margin, compared to 19% of all PIA printers. The study also indicated that the profitability of Quickmaster DI printers is 3% higher in 2001 than in 1999, despite the fact that the economic climate is more challenging today. Presstek, Inc. is a leading developer of digital laser imaging and chemistry-free plate technologies for the printing and graphic arts industries. Marketed to world-leading press manufacturers and directly to end users, Presstek's patented DI, CTP and plate products eliminate photographic darkrooms, film and toxic processing chemicals, reduce the printing turnaround time and lower the production costs. The company's Lasertel subsidiary supplies it with the valuable resources necessary for its next generation laser imaging devices.