PRINTING PLATE UPDATE -- New Precious Metal

"We now have more than 150 customers using Azura worldwide. Many of them are long-time thermal platesetter users who wanted to eliminate processing. We're also seeing strong demand among first-time CTP buyers," Furman adds.

KPG currently is in test markets with its new Thermal Direct non-process plate, according to Wiethoff. "The plate is exceeding our expectations in the test markets," he says. It is slated to be fully launched later in the year.