The World's First 30mW Violet Photopolymer Plate Installation runs with Escher-Grad's Cobalt-8 at Martin Litho in Tampa, Florida

Montreal, Canada -- August 2nd, 2002 -- The recent installation of a Cobalt-8 violet CTP system at Martin Litho in Tampa, Florida has made them the first commercial color printer to run 30mW photopolymer violet plates from Lastra/Western Lithotech. Designed to integrate into any prepress workflow, the Cobalt-8 slipped seamlessly into Martin Litho's existing prepress operations that are driven by a full-blown Agfa Apogee workflow. Now in full production, the Cobalt-8 is producing plates for four press lines running on multiple shifts.

"Continuing Escher-Grad's tradition of violet CTP firsts, the Cobalt-8 at Martin Litho was the world's first 8-up commercial shop to benefit from the unique qualities of violet-photopolymer plates," said Keith Fisher, Director of Business Development for Escher-Grad Technologies. "The new generation violet-photopolymer plates can be UV-cured for run lengths that match or exceed thermal plates, work in very harsh pressroom environments (including UV ink/dryers) and require far less being spent on the CTP device, processing and ovens. Martin Litho's commitment to leading-edge technology has, once again, placed it at the forefront of the industry and we are proud to have been part of their success with the Cobalt-8."

The Cobalt series of platesetters are the only ones capable of running both silver-halide and photopolymer plates making them the most flexible platesetters on the market. DiamondPlate LV-1 plates from Lastra/Western Lithotech, launched at Print01 in October 2001, are presently the only commercially available 30mW plates however Fuji has announced a commercial release of their Brillia LP-NV plates by September 2002.

"The combination of the Lastra/Western Lithotech DiamondPlate LV-1 and Cobalt-8 offers the industry state-of-the-art CTP technology," said Kathy May, US/International Marketing Director, Western Lithotech. "The DiamondPlate LV-1 was the world's first violet laser imaged photopolymer 410 nm plate that does not contain any silver. It has proven to be an excellent choice for all the short and long run needs of commercial printers, like Martin Litho, who demand maximum productivity at a dot resolution of 1 to 99 percent."

All Cobalt platesetters are available with either a 5mW or 30mW violet laser diode and Escher-Grad's patented optics assembly allows a field-upgrade in a matter of minutes with no special alignment or calibration required. Every laser-diode installed in a Cobalt system is good for over 10,000 hours of plate exposure and unlike other CTP systems, including thermal, the Cobalt's laser is switched off between plates, ensuring a reliable and longer life span.

Since 1970, Martin Litho has grown from a small single color print shop into a full service printing and graphic arts company that has received an exceptional level of national recognition for outstanding quality. The recipient of 22 awards for 2002 from the Printing Association of Florida, Martin Litho prides itself on employing experience, talented designers and highly skilled print technicians with the most up-to-date equipment ensuring consistent high-quality and on-time performance. For more about Martin Litho, please visit their web site at www.martinlitho.com.

Established in 1986, Montreal-based Escher-Grad designs, manufactures and markets advanced, high-resolution laser imaging systems solutions that markedly increase productivity for the graphic arts and printed circuit board industries. All products are backed by a worldwide sales and support network with systems installed in more than 35 countries around the world. For more information please visit www.Escher-Grad.com.

Live demonstrations of the Cobalt-4 CTP System will be performed throughout the exhibition on the Escher-Grad Stand in Hall 4, Stand 519. Full details concerning product specifications are available on the Escher-Grad website at www.escher-grad.com.

***END***

For more information please contact Marketing Communications.