Agfa Integrates New PDF Print Engine 3 from Adobe in Asanti Workflow for Wide-format Applications

MORTSEL, BELGIUM—September 11, 2013—Agfa Graphics today announced that its Asanti wide-format production software supports the latest Adobe PDF Print Engine technology (APPE). Agfa Graphics has worked with Adobe since the conception of the new technology to ensure that it seamlessly integrates into Asanti, making sure that customer workflow investment are well protected. For years, Agfa has provided their customers with workflow software for prepress also based on Adobe's state of the art technology.

"Agfa Graphics congratulates Adobe on their announcement of the new PDF Print Engine: this is the next stage in automating creative workflows,” said Andy Grant, head of software at Agfa Graphics. “We have been strong partners with Adobe since the early days of PDF and JDF, and are proud to move forward with Adobe and adopt PDF Print Engine 3 for our new Asanti workflow.“

The Adobe PDF Print Engine is one of the key building blocks for the Apogee and Asanti product lines. With APPE 3 integrated in the Agfa Graphics' workflow systems, compatibility with the latest features of design applications and Acrobat XI is guaranteed.

“Wide-format printing is growing fast, but it is in need of automated production workflow. So we welcome Agfa’s introduction of Asanti, based on the proven Apogee platform. This new solution incorporates the version 3 of the Adobe PDF Print Engine, which we launched on September 5. Agfa and Adobe are longtime partners, and we are pleased that Agfa is leading the segment with this powerful new solution”, noted Raman Nagpal, senior director of print business at Adobe.

Asanti improves the efficiency, saves time and lowers costs across all areas of pre-press and production for sign-makers and display producers. It brings file handling, color management, RIPing and pre-flighting together in a single PDF-based workflow, with rendering and full JDF control for automated accountability. It was first shown at the Fespa 2013 in London, and makes its North American debut at SGIA in October.

About Agfa
The Agfa-Gevaert Group is one of the world's leading companies in imaging and information technology. Agfa develops, manufactures and markets analogue and digital systems for the printing industry (Agfa Graphics), for the healthcare sector (Agfa HealthCare), and for specific industrial applications (Agfa Materials). Agfa is headquartered in Mortsel, Belgium. The company is present in 40 countries and has agents in another 100 countries around the globe. The Agfa-Gevaert Group achieved a turnover of 3,091 million euros in 2012.

About Agfa Graphics
Agfa Graphics offers integrated prepress solutions to the printing industry. These solutions comprise consumables, hardware, software and services for production workflow, project and color management.

Agfa Graphics is a worldwide leader with its computer-to-film, computer-to-plate and digital proofing systems for commercial and packaging printing and the newspaper publishing markets.

Agfa Graphics is rapidly developing its position in the new segments of industrial inkjet with comprehensive solutions for various applications such as documents, posters, banners, signage, displays, labels and packaging materials. Its experience in both imaging and emulsion technology has provided the expertise required for developing a complete assortment of high-quality inks.

Source: Agfa.