The 52DI press delivers superior performance in a 52cm landscape press
format
The Presstek 52DI will be demonstrated at Graph Expo 2006
HUDSON, N.H., Sept. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Presstek, Inc.
(Nasdaq: PRST), a leading manufacturer and marketer of environmentally
responsible digital offset printing business solutions for the graphic arts
markets, today announced that the Presstek 52DI digital offset press, first
released in April to the European market, is now available for the North
American market. This 52cm landscape press will be showcased at Graph Expo
2006 in Booth #3822 at McCormick Place in Chicago from October 15th through
18th, 2006.
"Market research documents it, and our customer base confirms it --
short-run, high quality color is a key growth opportunity for today's print
service providers," said Geoff Loftus, Presstek's General Manager for
Presses. "The Presstek 52DI, a 52cm landscape press, allows print service
providers to capitalize on the markets' move towards short-run color by
producing high quality printing -- quickly, efficiently and profitably. The
52DI's level of flexibility, speed, quality, ease-of-use, and productivity
provides a breakthrough for printers who are faced with the daily reality
of quickly producing a broad variety of short-run color work -- and doing
so profitably."
The Presstek 52DI, making its North American debut at Graph Expo, is a
highly automated 52cm landscape sheetfed four-color digital offset printing
press that combines the efficiency of an all-digital workflow with the
versatility and quality of a conventional waterless press. The prepress
file can be sent directly to the DI where the entire plate handling process
is totally automatic -- all four plates are imaged on-press in precise
registration. This eliminates manual intervention such as the loading or
unloading of plates in-between jobs, while reducing steps and potential
errors. The 52DI also features Presstek's unique Zero Transfer Printing
(ZTP) process in which all four colors are laid down on the sheet without
any transfer between grippers, whereas a conventional press requires
tower-to-tower sheet transfer which challenges registration and restricts
substrate choices. Eliminating sheet transfer delivers first sheet
registration and results in an unsurpassed level of sheet-to-sheet and
job-to job-consistency and repeatability. In addition, it expands the
available range of printing media -- including 20 pt. stock, styrene,
converted envelopes and pocket folders.
The 52DI automates additional tasks from the amount of ink required per
plate through to cleaning the blanket and plates. This automated changeover
allows the press operator to perform other tasks, improving overall shop
productivity while producing four-color makereadies in approximately 10
minutes -- including plate imaging and sellable color within about 20
sheets. The speed and efficiency of the 52DI's makeready represents a
significant waste reduction compared to conventional offset. These time
saving features, and the faster drying time of waterless ink, enable the
fast turn around of high-quality print jobs -- including same day service,
while reducing costly waste and increasing profitability.
More work can be produced on the 52DI in less time than with a
conventional press and it eliminates the workflow steps and costs
associated with other methods of printing plate production, while being
less dependent on operator training and experience.
The waterless technology of the landscape format 52DI press, in
addition to the unique 2:1 roll out ratio of the 52DI's ink train, provide
the benefits of unparalleled ink coverage and the ability to print solids
more easily. The waterless process of the DI press produces a broader color
gamut with a very thin ink film and eliminates the struggle to manage ink
and water balance. Printing with a thin film of ink maintains the clarity
of color and offers the ability to easily print solids -- even a four color
black.
The landscape orientation and 52cm design (20.47 x 14.76 inches or 520
x 375mm sheet size) of the Presstek 52DI press provides more efficient
sheet utilization and addresses a wider range of applications. Printing
jobs such as business cards, post cards, invitations and similar
applications can be completed in fewer sheets, in less time, and with less
waste. This format also expands business opportunities for printing
oversized pieces such as book covers with large spines, and easily
accommodates jobs with full bleeds, register marks and control bars.
The 52DI can print up to 10,000 impressions per hour while easily
printing up to 300 lpi (and FM screening) without incurring additional time
or expense. The 52DI is the fastest way to go from file to a superior
quality, low cost, sellable sheet.
Differentiated and Compatible Workflow
According to market research conducted by InfoTrends, Inc., the DI
press is twice as profitable as conventional offset, and up to four times
more profitable than copier-based technology for short-run color. The DI
fits the profitability gap that is left open between the digital
copier-based technology which run most profitably under 250 impressions and
conventional presses at over 20,000 impressions. The 52DI's robustness also
makes it a work horse.
"We believe that the 52DI is a great business solution for print
service providers," said Ed Marino, Presstek's President and CEO. "We are
finding that the Presstek 52DI is up to three times faster than a
conventional 52cm landscape press in the time it takes to produce work --
from file to printed sheet. In addition, the 52DI's automation and
ease-of-use reduces the steps and labor involved in the process which can
result in a four-fold profitability advantage over a comparative
conventional press. Increased productivity and profitability are key
components for success in today's highly competitive print market. We are
excited about the positive business impact that the 52DI can have for our
customers."
Summary
With demands increasing in the market for high-quality, superior
quality color, the Presstek 52DI press will enable printers to capitalize
on the short-run growth market, increasing the volume of business from
existing customers as well as positioning them to acquire new customers who
are seeking these differentiated capabilities.
Personal demonstrations of the Presstek 52DI press at Graph Expo can be
scheduled by visiting http://www.Presstek.com/events. For more information visit
http://www.presstek.com, or email: info@presstek.com, or call in North
America 603-595-7000.
About Presstek
Presstek, Inc. is a leading manufacturer and marketer of high-tech
digital imaging solutions to the graphic arts and laser imaging markets.
Presstek's patented DI(R), CTP and plate products provide a streamlined
workflow in a chemistry-free environment, thereby reducing printing cycle
time and lowering production costs. Presstek solutions are designed to make
it easier for printers to cost effectively meet increasing customer demand
for high-quality, shorter print runs and faster turnaround while providing
improved profit margins.
Presstek subsidiary Precision Lithograining Corporation is a
manufacturer of high-quality digital and conventional printing plate
products, including Presstek's award-winning, chemistry-free Anthem plate.
Presstek subsidiary Lasertel, Inc., manufactures semiconductor laser diodes
for Presstek's and external customers' applications.
"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform
Act of 1995: Certain statements contained in this News Release constitute
"forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding the
performance and availability of existing and future products, the market's
acceptance of and demand for the Company's existing and newly introduced
products, the ability of the Company to meet customer demand for products,
and the growth of the Company's presence in Europe. Such forward-looking
statements involve a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and
other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or
achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future
results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such
forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are
not limited to, the uncertainty and delays associated with launching new
products, market acceptance and performance of and demand for the Company's
products, the effects of the introduction of competing products, the
ability of the Company to fulfill customer commitments and close sales
leads, the influence of changing market factors on the continued
reliability of market research data, as well as the impact of general
market factors in the print industry generally and the economy as a whole.
Other risks are detailed in the Company's filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission. The words "looking forward," "anticipates," "expects,"
"will," "believe(s)," "may," "is expected to," "likely," and similar
expressions, among others, identify forward-looking statements. Readers are
cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements,
which speak only as of the date the statement was made. Presstek undertakes
no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this
news release.
CONTACTS:
Trade Relations Investor Relations
Betty LaBaugh Jane Miller
Public Relations Manager Corporate Relations Manager
603-594-8585 ext. 3441 603-594-8585 ext. 3346
blabaugh@presstek.com investorrelations@presstek.com
SOURCE Presstek, Inc.
 back to top
Related links:
http://www.presstek.com
CONTACT:
Betty LaBaugh, Public Relations Manager,
+1-603-594-8585, ext. 3441, blabaugh@presstek.com; or Jane
Miller, Corporate Relations Manager, +1-603-594-8585, ext. 3346,
investorrelations@presstek.com, both of Presstek, Inc.
|
