M.Y. Cartons Debutes Revolutionary New Print Process At IPEX.

Business Editors and High-Tech Writers

IPEX 2002

HOOGERHEIDE, Netherlands--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 13, 2002

A new print technology, which virtually eliminates the need for spot colours and dramatically improves print quality, is to be showcased for the first time at IPEX 2002 by M.Y.Cartons.

FMsix(R), developed by M.Y. Cartons in Holland, can be applied to any printing technique which uses more than four process colours.

Invented to reduce colour variation, by using just two of three special FMsix(R) inks, the system can reproduce almost all parts of the visual colour spectrum. It provides sharper, more detailed reproduction and greater colour contrast.

On Thursday April 11, on the MAN Roland stand, number 551 hall 17, there will be demonstrations of the new technology displaying how 35 colours can be produced in one pass.

With FMsix(R) there are fewer special colour wash-ups, which means press capacity is improved, less special inks need to be bought and stored and process waste is reduced.

The only inks the system cannot replace are metallic and fluorescent. Apart from the special FMsix(R) orange, blue or green, the four normal process colours remain unchanged for photographic images and the system is "open" so, when necessary, printers can return to the conventional process at any time.

M.Y. Cartons has worked with a number of technology partners in developing FMsix(R). Central to the new technology are Creo Computer to Plate equipment, including Frequent Modulation (FM) screening, Artpro software from Artwork Systems, Kodak Polychrome Graphics' plates and inks made by SunChemical-Coates Lorilleux.

Explains FMsix(R) Technology Manager, Martin Alderliefste: "The colours are printed using FM screening with software from Creo in order to reduce colour variation and eliminate interference which comes with conventional screening. A fixed printing unit colour sequence is essential to realise the benefits of the FMsix(R) technology. Users also need to be adept at production planning if they are to exploit efficiency improvements."

FMsix(R) has been under development at M.Y. Cartons for two years using semi-automatic plate change MAN Roland printing presses.

It is anticipated that the technology, which has patents pending throughout the world, will be commercially available by the beginning of 2003.

Users will be licensed directly by M.Y. Cartons, which will also provide software, training and support, or indirectly via Master Licence Holders. Printers wishing to use FMsix(R) will need to be operating Computer to Plate technology.

The new technology will also be displayed during IPEX on the stands of technology partners Creo (stand number 650, hall 4), Artwork Systems (stand number 707, hall 4), Kodak Polychrome Graphics (stand number 380, hall 4) and SunChemical-Coates Lorilleux (stand number 501, hall 18).

www.fmsix.info.