FUJIFILM Graphic Systems Div.

Printers and prepress operations looking to step up to outputting imposed, eight-up film have a number of drum imagesetters from which to choose. Key features of the leading systems are highlighted here to help potential buyers start making some comparisons. Agfa SelectSet Avantra 44The SelectSet Avantra 44 product family includes three internal-drum models—Avantra 44XT (performance), Avantra 44S (quality) and Avantra 44E (lower cost). The Avantra 44XT has a 30,000 rpm spin motor, enabling it to output 1,113 square inches per minute or 21 flats per hour at 1,200 dpi. It also features a high-performance media handling system. The Avantra 44S boosts the machine's top output

BY MARK SMITH In a surprisingly short span of time, computer-to-plate production has evolved from being the ideal—but still impractical—workflow, to the domain of risk-taking digital pioneers and, finally, to a mainstream process. Since it's human nature to get caught up in all things new, it's understandable that the substantial role film still plays in the industry often gets overshadowed. In fact, by most measures, film is still the dominant workflow. Momentum alone would be enough to keep film around for years to come, but costs and other issues are limiting computer-to-plate adoption rates in certain segments of the industry. Even in CTP's sweet

BY MARK SMITH PDF is supposed to stand for Portable Document Format, but "pretty darn frustrating" has been a more fitting moniker in many ways. When Adobe introduced the Acrobat software family, with PDF as its core technology, it was billed as the answer to the shortcomings inherent in the PostScript language, among other things. The coveted benefits of PDF include the ability to generate relatively small, self-contained (including fonts) files that can be processed more efficiently and reliably. Yet, more than five years later, PDF only now seems in a position to become the standard or even generally preferred file format

Xeikon, Chromapress User Groups Unite LAS VEGAS—Xeikon digital press users came together recently to hold the first annual meeting of the Xeikon Digital Printing Association (XDPA). Activities included the election of a board of directors for the new group, which was formed through the consolidation of the former Chromapress Printing Association (CPA) and the Xeikon Users Association (XUA). The primary reason for the merger was Xeikon N.V.'s acquisition of Agfa's Digital Printing Systems business unit. As a result, Xeikon America and Canopy LLC, Xeikon's North American distributor, took over responsibility for supporting Chromapress users. "XDPA brings together two groups that share common goals," notes

BY MARK SMITH Upon returning from serving in the army during World War II, brothers Ozzie and Vary Aslanian founded a photoengraving shop in New York City. The name "Quality" was adopted sometime later, but management has always taken pride in the high level of craftsmanship offered by the company. At the same time, Quality House of Graphics has been a leader in adopting new technologies. The philosophy guiding its investments is that craftsmanship is enhanced, not replaced, by technology. Benchmarks in the company's history include being the first in its market to install a Quantel Graphic Paintbox, for high-end retouching work; and

A Digital Evangelist FRANK SCOTT has managed to become one of the graphic arts industry's recognized authorities on digital ad delivery, while still keeping up with the demands of his work for Time Inc. As director of digital development, Scott was part of the team that converted Time's New York-based magazines to computer-to-plate production and established its partnership program to solicit ads in digital format. After working for more than 20 years on the publishing side of the industry, Scott has moved onto new challenges by joining the Graphic Arts Technical Foundation (GATF) staff as vice president and director of research. Since this is

Creo Increases Investment In printCafeBURNABY, CANADA—Creo Products has completed a $62.5 million investment in printCafe in a private placement. Creo invested $32 million in a combination of cash and stock. The net proceeds from this offering will be used to repay outstanding debt, for working capital and for general corporate purposes. "This is a strategic investment for Creo. We believe that printCafe is the only integrated e-commerce and e-production solution in the printing industry that provides value to print buyers, printers and print industry suppliers," says Mark Dance, executive vice president, Creo Products, and president of CreoScitex. "printCafe's products are an important part of

BY MOLLY W. JOSS When computer-to-plate (CTP) technology expanded from the single choice of conventional platesetters to the dual choice of conventional or thermal, commercial printers were faced with twice the choices. If you wanted CTP, you bought conventional or thermal and you bought plates that the system vendor said matched the platesetter. Things got more complicated earlier this year as plate manufacturers started their pre-DRUPA announcements and as DRUPA unwound in May. Many of the major plate vendors announced new plates; some introduced three, four or more new offerings. Some announced thermal plates that reduce, or remove, the processing steps. What's more,

BY MOLLY W. JOSS Here's a riddle for you: It's not cake batter, it's not cookie dough, but you still have to bake it to get the most enjoyment out of it. What is it? To some the answer will be obvious: it's a printing plate. Even if you didn't guess the answer to the riddle, you may still find yourself deriving enjoyment—or at least increased print runs and other benefits—from baking digital plates. Depending upon the plate and the print job it's intended for, you stand to gain significant production advantages by using a plate that requires baking either before or after

The latest advances in digital photography and color scanning make image capture not only a snap, but exceptionally high quality. And the prices may be coming down, too. BY ALLISON ECKEL Take no specifications for granted. "The old models for discussing image quality are starting to dissolve with respect to evaluating the potential quality of an image," states Eric Zarakov, vice president of marketing for Foveon, a Santa Clara, CA-based manufacturer of image sensors and capture systems. While commenting on Foveon's recent digital chip breakthrough, Zarakov has voiced a trend in the digital image capture industry. Everything you thought you knew about the numbers