By Mary L. Van Meter
Publisher

RIDGEFIELD PARK, N.J. — Agfa Graphic Systems announced several new initiatives for the newspaper industry and discussed the latest in the merger with Autologic Information International during a press briefing at its U.S. headquarters.

Several of Agfa’s new technologies are being showcased at IPEX in Birmingham, England, this month. Agfa is showcasing its new computer-to-plate equipment, the Polaris Violet, which utilizes violet laser technology at the show.

Robert Stabler, president of Agfa Graphic Systems, 
North America, introduces the company’s latest 
product releases at a press conference.
Photo by Mary L. Van Meter

The company also gave new details about its recent acquisition of Autologic at the press briefing. Agfa did research on customers of both companies. It was discovered that both Agfa and Autologic users liked workflow systems and CTP solutions from both companies. As a result, product lines from both companies will continue to be produced, though Agfa did say that products will eventually be developed that combine the best aspects of products from both companies, with smooth transitions for customers.

While unveiling a new Autologic-Agfa logo, Robert Stabler, president of Agfa Graphic Systems in North America, noted that the pairing of the two newspaper suppliers provides customers with complementary products and services, resulting in a much stronger company that can provide all of a newspaper’s prepress needs.

“This allows us to offer a broader choice of CTP systems,” Stabler said. “We also have the added advantage of a complete solution that includes consumables, proofing, and punch and bending. The completion of this merger comes at a time when newspapers are facing tough times, as most industries are. To combat that, however, Agfa is pushing its newest visible-light technology, known as violet.”

Violet technology can help newspapers reduce their costs of operation, according to Agfa. (See sidebar at right for more details about the benefits of violet.)

As CTP started becoming more mainstream in the commercial market, other customers, who normally would have been unable to make such high investments, began to ask when similar technology would be available for them. Agfa said customers were also looking for ways to reduce their costs, but were unable to afford the CTP systems that larger printers could. A similar trend could move into the newspaper industry, with smaller publishers looking for ways to shave costs.

Stabler said Agfa took this feedback and developed its violet laser CTP solution. The technology specifically helped lower-volume customers who needed a way to compete with larger, wealthier printers. CTP systems with violet laser technology have already been proven in commercial markets. Stabler said that with more than 500 violet units installed, a mere 0.5 percent have needed their lasers replaced. Because the lasers are essentially the same ones the consumer electronics industry uses in DVD players, they are mass produced, easy to find and inexpensive.

Agfa supplies visible-light N91 plates to the newspaper market and has more than 80 percent of the market share worldwide, and other vendors are starting to take notice of the benefits violet offers for the newspaper market.

“Imitation, we say, is the greatest form of flattery, “ Stabler said. “But more importantly, for our customers, they will find an abundance of violet-imaging plates on the market as well.”

Agfa sees violet systems as having the potential to meet the productivity demands of the newspaper market in the future. Dave Costa, Agfa’s worldwide marketing director for CTP equipment, emphasized that “violet systems, overall, will save you money as they have a total lower cost of ownership. In addition to its lower acquisition costs, since it uses less energy, it can lower your electricity costs.”

Agfa’s leading plate for violet technology is the Lithostar Ultra. Costa said it also contributes to a lower bottom line, as it is easier to maintain, and needs maintenance less frequently.

Agfa/Autologic merger

At IPEX this month, Agfa is demonstrating how both companies’ products work together. Agfa is demonstrating the Autologic OptiBend system, an optical punch and bending device that provides the newspaper printer with press-ready plates, synchronized with an Agfa Polaris platesetter.

Agfa is also showing the Autologic CTP system, the 3850 platesetter, operating with an IntelliNet workflow, Agfa’s workflow automation software developed specifically for newspaper production. Additionally, Autologic’s Plateroom Manager is driving the Agfa Polaris.

Agfa also recently announced and demonstrated its newest thermal platesetter, the Xcalibur 45, a high-speed 8-up system. It uses a grating light valve and solid-state laser diode bar for high productivity and image quality. It is similar to the technology used in high-definition televisions, bringing consumer reliability to the graphic arts. Delano, Agfa’s Web-based project management and tracking tool, was also touted as a future communication hub for a printing operation.

Agfa also highlighted its SherpaMatic proofer, which performs two-sided imposition proofing for color jobs. The 43-inch digital proofing system has a built-in alignment mechanism that automatically turns the paper over in exact alignment for unattended two-sided proofing.