New Agfa Software Enables Significant Ink Cost Savings With Full Print Quality

Agfa Graphics Launches :Arkitex OptiInk Solution at Ifra 06.

Amsterdam, the Netherlands, Ifra 06 — Stand 2/2210 — 9 October 2006 — Agfa Graphics has launched a new addition to the :Arkitex range of software solutions for newspaper production. :Arkitex OptiInk is a fully automated solution which processes PDF files and optimises ink utilisation in newspaper printing, offering the potential to make significant ink savings while maintaining the full quality and power of the printed page.

As ink manufacturers announce substantial price increases owing to the rising cost of chemical raw materials, :Arkitex OptiInk can help newspaper printing operations to offset the increase in ink prices by reducing ink volumes needed. :Arkitex OptiInk is available for complete integration into any :Arkitex installation but also as a stand-alone solution so printers of any size can reduce cost where it matters.

Printers can save anywhere from 10-25% of their ink costs, depending on how PDF files are being produced, the proportion of colour work, and other requirements.
“ We are launching this solution at Ifra 06 with immediate availability,” said Agfa Graphics’ marketing manager of newspaper software, Andy Grant. “:Arkitex OptiInk is a new component of the newspaper solutions that have made Agfa Graphics the global market leader. We are committed to bringing technology innovations that help our customers Stay Ahead.”

How :Arkitex OptiInk Works.

:Arkitex OptiInk automatically converts colour spaces to ensure consistent colour, for both vectorised and image content. Thanks to Smart Input Space Recognition technology (SISR), it can also intelligently assign an input profile when it is not provided in the PDF file, which has been the cause of many colour issues with PDF files. :Arkitex OptiInk also handles any number of spot colours, automatically converting them into CMYK and then processing them.

About :Arkitex.
:Arkitex is Agfa’s software solution approach designed specifically for newspapers. Since its introduction it has become the world’s best-selling newspaper production workflow and enterprise software with installations in more than 30 countries. :Arkitex is in use with more newspaper publishers producing more titles than any other newspaper prepress software in the world.

:Arkitex offers all the heritage and knowledge of Agfa's experience in newspapers and is the key component that unlocks the power of Agfa's solutions for newspapers. Agfa Graphics has the world’s largest global organisation dedicated to newspaper prepress and publishing, with expert staff, comprehensive customer and operator training and support options.

The coherence of the full suite of :Arkitex solutions lets all :Arkitex components work together seamlessly. :Arkitex combines a consistent look and feel with a full range of features delivering choices in capability, scalability
and resilience to match the requirements of the entire newspaper enterprise.

About Agfa.
The Agfa-Gevaert Group is one of the world’s leading imaging and information technology companies. Agfa develops, manufactures and markets analogue and digital systems for the printing industry (Agfa Graphics), the healthcare sector (Agfa HealthCare) and specific industrial applications (Agfa Materials).
Agfa's headquarters are in Mortsel, Belgium. The company is present in 40 countries and has agents in another 100 countries throughout the world. The Agfa-Gevaert Group achieved a turnover of 3,308 million euro in 2005.

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 colour management. Computer-to-film, computer-to-plate and digital proofing systems have earned Agfa Graphics a worldwide leadership position in the commercial and package printing and the newspaper publishing markets.
Agfa Graphics is rapidly expanding its offerings in the growing digital inkjet market. Its experience in both imaging and emulsion technology has provided the expertise required for making an assortment of high-quality UV and solvent-based inks. Joint development and manufacturing partnerships with industry leaders expand its technological reach and allow the company to develop comprehensive digital solutions for printing posters, banners, signage, displays, labels and packaging materials.
Product and company information can be found on Agfa’s home page on the World Wide Web at: www.agfa.com.

source : Agfa

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