Tektronix Aggressively Pursues Digital Proofing Market; The Phaser 480X Printer Ensures Color Consistency and Predictable Final Output.WILSONVILLE, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 12, 1995--Tektronix (NYSE NYSE See: New York Stock Exchange :TEK See TeX. ), today announced the Phaser 480X, a tabloid dye sublimation sublimation, in chemistry sublimation (sŭblĭmā`shən), change of a solid substance directly to a vapor without first passing through the liquid state. color printer A printer that prints in color using three (CMY) or four (CMYK) colors of ink, toner or dye. Four color ribbons have been used in dot matrix printers, but these are rare today. See color laser printer and printer. that provides unparalleled customizable consistency and accuracy in the most demanding press environment. Optimized for fast, digital proofs and photographic-quality color, the Phaser 480X printer is aimed at both graphic arts graphic arts: see aquatint; drawing; drypoint; engraving; etching; illustration; linoleum block printing; lithography; mezzotint; niello; pastel; poster; silk-screen printing; silhouette; silverpoint; sketch; stencil; woodcut and wood engraving. and scientific and engineering markets. With built-in Adobe PostScript Level 2 hardware support providing fast raster image processing image processing Set of computational techniques for analyzing, enhancing, compressing, and reconstructing images. Its main components are importing, in which an image is captured through scanning or digital photography; analysis and manipulation of the image, accomplished , the Phaser 480X is ideal for workgroup environments. The Phaser 480X prints at speeds and retains the versatility provided by PostScript Level 2. Extended Functionality for Graphic Designers The Phaser 480X printer can print single or multi-page separation files created with the most popular graphic arts PC and Macintosh applications. These files are automatically assembled and printed, showing overprint o·ver·print tr.v. o·ver·print·ed, o·ver·print·ing, o·ver·prints To imprint over with something more, especially to print over with another color. n. 1. A mark or impression made by overprinting. and trapping information. This ensures that problems with traps and overprints are discovered early in the design process before final output, saving costly film iterations. The prints are made with separation-capable drivers provided by Tektronix. The divers contain a check-box selection allowing customers to easily print separation files as four separate pages or as a composite page. From the DCS (1) See also DSC. (2) Digital Cross-connect System) A network switching and grooming device used by telecom carriers. See digital cross-connect. Print application of the Phaser 480x printer, users can directly print Desktop Color Separation Separating a picture by colors in order to make negatives and plates for color printing. The four-color process requires four separations: cyan, magenta, yellow and black (CMYK). See OPI and DCS. (DCS) files. DCS Print eliminates the need to re-save DCS files as EPS (Encapsulated PostScript) A PostScript file format used to transfer a graphic image between applications and platforms. EPS files contain PostScript code as well as an optional preview image in TIFF, WMF, PICT or EPSI, the latter being an ASCII-only format. or other formats before printing. Customers can print high quality DCS proofs by simply dragging files on to the DCS Print application's icon. "Tektronix' dye sublimation printers have been successful because each of the products give users exceptional image quality, color reproduction and performance at an affordable price," said A.J. Rogers, Tektronix strategic marketing manager. Digital Proofing Preparing a sample of printed output on a computer printer before the job is printed on a commercial press. Contrast with Matchprint and soft proofing. Made Simple PhaserMatch software for the MAC and PC platforms provides an easy, step-by-step calibration mode requiring no training or special measurement equipment. PhaserMatch can calibrate To adjust or bring into balance. Scanners, CRTs and similar peripherals may require periodic adjustment. Unlike digital devices, the electronic components within these analog devices may change from their original specification. See color calibration and tweak. custom color profiles to the users exact specifications. PhaserMatch is flexible and easy to use. The user can create custom profiles by adjusting dot gain, density, and the color reproduction curve to simulate the color output of any target press, paper, and ink. With PhaserMatch, customers can customize the standard profiles to match local printing conditions, or simulate other industry-standard proofing systems. Tektronix has over a decade of experience developing color rendering techniques that enhance quality and performance. The Phaser 480X offers TekColor Dynamic Correction technology, which enhances color fidelity and adds the flexibility of simulating color produced on alternate color output devices. Color matching remains challenging and users need a color proofing device that matches the printed output as closely as possible. For this reason, Dynamic Correction targets such simulations as Simulate Commercial Matchprints (SWOP), EuroScale press, Commercial press and Newsprint (SNAP). In addition, TekColor Photofine image processing enhances dye sublimation printing of fine lines and text printing. This provides clean, crisp edges and prevents the loss of fine detail common to the technology. Competitive Advantage Competing tabloid-sized dye sublimation color printers require a dedicated Macintosh host. Because all processing and spooling (Simultaneous Peripheral Operations OnLine) The overlapping of low-speed operations with normal processing. Spooling originated with mainframes in order to optimize slow operations such as reading cards and printing. takes place on the host Mac, a faster and more capable Mac is required, which increases the cost of the printer. Since the Phaser 480X product handles PostScript in its own optimized hardware, it is fast and shareable, allowing cross-platform compatibility. In addition, a PhaserPrint plug-in for Adobe Photoshop software makes it possible to print large Adobe Photoshop raster files across a network. The Phaser 480X printer is PANTONE-approved (see note a), providing simulation of PANTONE colors. High Performance The Phaser 480X product uses a 24MHz (MegaHertZ) One million cycles per second. It is used to measure the transmission speed of electronic devices, including channels, buses and the computer's internal clock. A one-megahertz clock (1 MHz) means some number of bits (16, 32, 64, etc. AMD (Advanced Micro Devices, Inc., Sunnyvale, CA, www.amd.com) A major manufacturer of semiconductor devices including x86-compatible CPUs, embedded processors, flash memories, programmable logic devices and networking chips. 29000 RISC processor for fast throughput. Base memory configuration is 32MB, which supports full bleed 11 x 17-inch image size processing and printing capability as a result of the memory management and data compression techniques of the Phaser 480X printer. The memory configuration can be expanded to 112 MB in 32 MB increments. The Phaser 480X printer includes proprietary raster image processing firmware that speeds handling of raster files within a PostScript job. This image processing breakthrough promises to make dye sublimation printing accessible regardless of platform. The Phaser 480X printer is priced at $14,995 (U.S.) suggested list and begins shipping in June 1995. Tektronix dye sublimation printers are covered by a one-year warranty. For more information, write to Tektronix Inc., P.O. Box 1000, MS 63-583, Wilsonville, Ore. 97070, or call 800/835-6100 or 503/682-7377. Information is also available by fax through Tektronix' 24-hour worldwide Highly Automated Library (HAL Hal: see Halle, Belgium. hal In Sufism, a state of mind reached from time to time by mystics during their journey toward God. The ahwal (plural of hal) are God-given graces that appear when a soul is purified of its attachments to the material world. ) at 503/682-7450 or visit Tektronix' World Wide Web page at http://www.tek.com/CPID. Tektronix Color Printing and Imaging Division markets a complete family of office color printers that incorporate advanced printing technologies. Phaser color printers offer users high performance and shareability for superior color output across a wide range of applications. Tektronix is a portfolio of measurement, color printing, video systems, and network displays businesses dedicated to applying technology excellence to customer challenges. Tektronix is headquartered in Wilsonville, and has operations in 23 countries outside the United States. Founded in 1946, the company had revenues of $1.32 billion in fiscal 1994. -0- (a) Pantone Inc.'s check standard for color reproduction and color reproduction materials. -0- Tektronix and Tek are registered trademarks of Tektronix Inc. Phaser is a trademark of Tektronix Inc. for color printers and related products. PhaserMatch and TekColor are trademarks of Tektronix Inc. Adobe Photoshop and PostScript are trademarks of Adobe Systems Inc. which may be registered in certain jurisdictions. Macintosh, AppleTalk and EtherTalk are registered trademarks of Apple Computer Inc. Any other marks used in this document are trademarks or registered trademarks of the manufacturers or marketers of the products with which the marks are associated. CONTACT: Tektronix Color Printing and Imaging Division Jennifer Jones, 503/685-3150 Susan Bierma, 503/685-3101 Internet: jennifer.l.jones@tek.com susanb@pogo.wv.tek.com or Insync Partners Linda Chung or Chuck Humble, 503/221-1063 Internet: lindac@insyncp.com chuckh@insyncp.com |
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