New 46 Karat Plus with Presstek Profire Excel Imaging Delivers a New Level of Quality

New 46 Karat Plus with Presstek Profire Excel Imaging Delivers a
New Level of Quality 


HUDSON, N.H., April 30  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Presstek, Inc. , a leading
developer of digital laser imaging and chemistry-free plate technologies for
the printing and graphic arts industries, today announced that KBA will be
featuring the new 46 Karat Plus digital offset press at drupa 2004 in
Dusseldorf, Germany. An A3 size portrait format four-color digital offset
press, the 46 Karat Plus provides a significantly higher level of print quality
and key press enhancements over current DI press models in the small format
class.

The enhanced quality delivered by the 46 Karat Plus is made possible by the
incorporation of Presstek's breakthrough ProFire Excel imaging system. ProFire
Excel uses a 16-micron laser spot at 2540 dpi, supports AM (conventional) and
FM (stochastic) screening up to 300 lines per inch (120 l/cm), and is optimized
to work with Presstek's ProFire Digital Media. This combination of press,
laser, and plate technology results in a new standard in output quality for
digital offset presses.

Andreas Moessner, KBA's Executive President of Sales for sheetfed presses,
said, "With the push of a button, the 46 Karat Plus produces exceptional offset
quality printing in small formats. There are no special skills required, no
intermediate steps and no use of chemistry. With its streamlined automated
digital workflow, the new 46 Karat Plus provides a very efficient way to
produce high quality short run color printing." Moessner added, "We believe the
46 Karat Plus will open new opportunities for KBA to increase its overall
market share. With the 46 Karat Plus, customers will be better positioned to
produce highly profitable printed materials, and we expect that many of them
will select additional presses from KBA's portfolio of superior quality
products."

"This new press represents state-of-the-art printing technology," said Peter
Bouchard Presstek's General Manager for On-Press Imaging. "Now the benefits of
DI technology are within reach for a broader array of print service providers
with higher quality and productivity than ever before. With the improved
productivity and cost efficiency these DI presses offer, they can be cost
justified with a few print jobs per day and are the ideal solution for
organizations wishing to build a balanced portfolio of customer services."

In addition to the higher imaging quality, the new 46 Karat Plus also includes:

  * An updated inking system that automatically controls ink settings over
   the complete run, ensuring consistent color and minimized paper waste.
  * A pre-pile device has been added to allow uninterrupted operation and
   better efficiency on longer runs.
  * Availability of a new high power powder spray system, which provides a
   uniform spray over the entire sheet while reducing the amount of spray
   powder required.



KBA will continue to offer its existing 46 Karat model, providing customers
with a variety of pricing options and the ability to choose a press that best
fits their needs. When asked if ProFire Excel imaging could be adapted to the
existing 46 Karat Press, Tim Turner, Presstek's Director of On- Press
Development stated, "One of the major advantages of ProFire Excel is that it is
easily adaptable to different press configurations. Working with KBA, I'm
confident we could configure a digital offset press with the quality of ProFire
Excel and the affordability and functionality of the 46 Karat."

Visitors to drupa 2004 will be able to see the 46 Karat Plus printing live on
both the KBA stand in hall 16 and the Presstek stand (9B56).

About KBA

The Koenig & Bauer Group (KBA) in Germany is one of the largest press
manufacturers worldwide, offering the broadest product range in the industry:
sheetfed offset, digital offset, sheetfed flexo, commercial web offset,
rotogravure, directory, metal-decorating, security and newspaper presses. This
diversity has resulted in a unique level of know-how in many sectors of
printing technology and extreme flexibility in meeting the technological
challenges of the future. For more than 186 years KBA has driven technological
innovation for the benefit of customers worldwide. The core companies in the
group employ some 7,000 people.

  http://www.kba-print.com/

  About Presstek


Presstek, Inc. is a leading manufacturer and marketer of environmentally
responsible 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 and eliminate photographic darkrooms, film and toxic
processing chemicals, 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 shorter print
runs and faster turnaround while providing improved profit margins. The
company's subsidiary, Lasertel, Inc., supplies Presstek and external customers
with the valuable laser diodes necessary for laser imaging applications. For
more information on Presstek, visit http://www.presstek.com/, call 603-595-7000
or email: .

  CONTACTS:
   Judy Sweeney
   Helene Smith PR (N.A.)
   [phone]
   

   Lutt Willems
   Duomedia (Pan Europe)
   [phone]
   

   Jane Miller
   Presstek, Inc.
   [phone] x 3346
   

DATASOURCE: Presstek, Inc.



CONTACT: Judy Sweeney of Helene Smith PR (N.A.), [phone],

; or Lutt Willems of Duomedia (Pan Europe), +32 (2) 454

85 50, ; or Jane Miller of Presstek, Inc., [phone]

ext. 3346, 



Web site:  http://www.presstek.com/

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