XANTE Announces New Platemaker 3 Computer-to-Plate System With Up to 2400 dpi and 13" X 35.5" Output; A New Generation Of Desktop Platemaking.

MOBILE, Ala.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 26, 1998--

--XANTE's PlateMaker 3 is the first desktop platemaking system offering 2400 x 2400 dpi.

--Using Myriad 2 polyester based plates, manufactured for XANTE by Agfa, the PlateMaker 3 is designed specifically for computer-to-plate printing.

--XANTE's optional patent pending Negative Enhanced Imaging Technology (NEIT) allows users to produce quality negative or positive images from the same device. In addition to computer-to-plate printing, this technology enables the PlateMaker 3 to produce professional computer-to-film output as well.

--The PlateMaker 3 can print plates, film, or plain paper at 2400 x 2400 or 1200 x 1200 dpi. The PlateMaker 3 can be purchased at 1200 x 1200 dpi and upgraded later to 2400 x 2400 dpi.

--XANTE's patent pending Accurate Calibration Technology (X-ACT) gives users precise control over horizontal and vertical dimensions.

--Densitometer support allows users to calibrate the PlateMaker 3 using a densitometer and XANTE's Command Center in order to produce the highest accuracy possible from halftone images.

--The PlateMaker 3 includes true Adobe PostScript 3 page description language.

--The PlateMaker 3 provides oversized printing capabilities up to 13" x 35.5" for full bleed 11"x 17"/A3 size documents.

--Standard configuration includes 10 page-per-minute engine speed, NEC VR 4300 133 MHz RISC processor,and 64 MB RAM. It also has simultaneously active serial, parallel, and LocalTalk interfaces. An Ethernet option is available which has concurrently active EtherTalk, TCP/IP, and Novell Netware protocols. An optional internal IDE drive is also available.

XANTE(R) Corporation today announces the newest evolution in computer-to-plate technology with the introduction of the high resolution PlateMaker 3, featuring output capabilities up to 13" x 35.5". In addition to oversized printing and a resolution of 1200 dpi, upgradable to 2400 x 2400 dpi, the PlateMaker 3 boasts a high speed RISC processor, true Adobe(R) PostScript(R) 3(TM), and patent pending technologies such as Xante's Accurate Calibration Technology (X-ACT(TM)) and optional Negative Enhanced Imaging Technology (NEIT). Designed for printing and prepress professionals, the PlateMaker 3's ability to print directly on polyester based plates, polyester based film, and plain paper make it a single device solution for computer-to-plate, computer-to-film, camera-ready art, laser printing, and proofing.

Xante's PlateMaker 3 is designed specifically for computer-to-plate printing with Xante's Myriad 2 polyester based plates. These plates, manufactured for Xante by Agfa, provide extremely high quality printing and are capable of producing up to 15,000 impressions.

"The demand for quick, economical, short-run printing has reached an all-time high," said Robert C. Ross, Jr., Xante's founder and CEO. "The state-of-the-art technology offered on the new PlateMaker 3, such as 13" x 35.5" printing, X-ACT for precise dimensional accuracy, densitometer support, and true Adobe PostScript 3, give customers the highest quality and flexibility in computer-to-plate printing. It is unlike anything on the market today. This technology, combined with Myriad 2 plates from Agfa, creates a complete solution for printing professionals that saves them valuable time and money over traditional methods."

The PlateMaker 3 offers high resolution printing with a standard of 1200 x 1200 dpi, upgradable to 2400 x 2400 dpi. It also provides 10 page-per-minute engine speed as well as a high performance controller built around the NEC VR 4300 133 MHz RISC processor and high speed memory architecture. The standard configuration includes 64 MB RAM, upgradable to 256 MB, and true Adobe PostScript 3.

"Adobe is committed to providing best-in-class printing solutions designed specifically for our varying customer needs," said Fred Schwedner, vice president and general manager, Printing and Systems Division at Adobe. "With Adobe PostScript 3, the Xante PlateMaker 3 satisfies the complex, high-quality computer-to-plate printing needs of printing and prepress professionals. We are thrilled Xante chose to incorporate true Adobe PostScript 3 technology in its new printing system."

In addition to high resolution, high performance, and Adobe PostScript 3, Xante's PlateMaker 3 offers Halftone Calibration Technology, Densitometer Support, and Enhanced Screening for quality halftone printing. The PlateMaker 3 offers advanced paper handling capabilities. Not only does it print paper sizes up to 13" x 35.5", the standard 650 sheet input capacity can be expanded to 1,650 sheets with the addition of two optional paper feeders.

PRINTER FEATURES

Adobe PostScript 3 Software: The PlateMaker 3 offers the reliability, assurance of compatibility, and high performance provided by PostScript 3. PostScript 3 benefits include improved performance, enhanced file and memory management schemes, data compression, composite font support, and much more.

High Resolution: The Xante PlateMaker 3 provides 1200 x 1200 dpi resolution, upgradable to 2400 x 2400 dpi, for typeset quality output. The printer can be purchased at 1200 dpi and upgraded later to 2400 dpi. The PlateMaker 3's quality is well suited for printing computer-to-plate, computer-to-film, and camera-ready materials as well as for final product uses and high quality proofing.

Myriad 2 Plates: Polyester based Myriad 2 plates are manufactured by Agfa for Xante. These plates require no processing. Durable and scratch resistant, Myriad 2 plates offer high toner adhesion with very low particle scatter. They are completely chemical-free; they require no baking and their excellent hydrophilic properties provide fast ink-up. This media is dimensionally stable, roll-up is easy and fast, and the plate retains image accuracy beyond the recommended print run.

Myriad Film: Polyester based Myriad Film is available from Xante for quality computer-to-film printing. Film is printed on the PlateMaker 3 and then processed using the FilmStar 2. Users can burn a metal plate from this processed film; the plate is then used for offset printing.

NEIT: The PlateMaker 3's optional Negative Enhanced Imaging Technology allows users to produce quality negative or positive images from the same device. Traditionally, most laser printed images are printed directly on media in a positive form. This works very well for printing on media such as laser paper or transparencies. Offset printing, however, requires using negative images on film to produce plates. Until now, negative printing from laser printers has tended to fill in or "plug" tiny white spaces inside letters such as "a" or "e" and fill hairline images. Xante's patent pending NEIT, in conjunction with Myriad film, helps ensure clear crisp hairline images and text.

X-ACT: Xante's patent pending Accurate Calibration Technology gives users precise control over horizontal and vertical dimensions on page images ensuring unmatched output accuracy. The X-ACT feature provides an easy, convenient way to calibrate the PlateMaker 3 to unequaled accuracy.

Adjustable Fuser Temperature: The PlateMaker 3 allows users to select a fusing temperature from six available settings based on the type of media they are using. For example, thick media may require a higher setting than thin media which transmits heat faster, and fuses at a slightly lower setting.

Densitometer Support: Users can calibrate gray scales using a densitometer and Xante's Command Center application to produce the highest accuracy possible from halftone images.

I/O Spooler: The built-in spooler support permits you to download multiple jobs into the spooler's queue when an IDE disk is attached.

Halftone Calibration Technology: The PlateMaker 3 allows the user to adjust the gamma curve of halftones easily from the printer's front panel or via software printer setup. This feature enables users to calibrate the midtones of halftone images, bringing out detail that can be lost when printing at higher line screens or when dark photos have been scanned.

Enhanced Screening Capabilities: Xante's Enhanced Screening allows the user to further fine tune the output quality by providing 40% more levels of gray when enabled. Enhanced screening allows the user to select from the normal (default) or the enhanced screens defined by 145, 197, or 256 levels of gray using the printer's front panel or via software printer setup.

Mirror Print: Users can print a job from any application with the image reversed from left to right to provide right reading emulsion side down output.

Negative Print: Users can print a negative image from any application regardless of job make-up.

Media Handling: The PlateMaker 3 supports two input sources in its base configuration. A multi-purpose tray offers a 150-sheet input capacity and can support page sizes up to 13" x 35.5". The second source is a paper feed unit which supports the standard 500-sheet trays holding up to 13" x 18.5" sizes. Two optional input sources are available and can be configured to hold up to 500 sheets each for a total input capacity of 1,650 sheets.

High Performance: In addition to a maximum 10 page-per-minute engine speed, Xante's high performance controller design features the NEC VR 4300 133 MHz RISC processor and 64 MB RAM, upgradable to 256 MB with user-installable SIMM modules.

Simultaneous Interfacing: RS-232 serial, parallel, and LocalTalk interfaces are standard all of which can be active simultaneously for seamless, cross platform support. Ethernet running concurrently active EtherTalk, Novell Netware, and TCP/IP protocols is available as an option. An optional internal IDE drive is available for additional font and form storage.

Font Handling: In addition to providing 136 standard PostScript resident typefaces, Xante's PlateMaker 3 includes support for Adobe's Type 1, 3, 4, 5, and 6 downloadable fonts.

Target Markets & Applications

Xante's PlateMaker 3 is targeted toward the growing prepress, desktop publishing, and printing industries. Companies with a mixture of Macintosh, PCs, UNIX, and other workstation environments benefit from the printer's interface flexibility. This includes companies such as service bureaus, print shops, advertising agencies, in-plant operations, and other in-house graphic departments.

The PlateMaker 3 allows users to bypass many steps associated with traditional printing by outputting directly to Myriad 2 plates. The PlateMaker 3 also provides quality computer-to-film materials which can be processed with the FilmStar 2, resulting in faster, easier production. These innovative technologies reduce the cost and process time required for conventional methods where the user is tied up by camera work and developing time. The PlateMaker 3 can be used to produce camera-ready output on polyester based Myriad 2 plate materials or plain paper for a variety of applications. The oversized paper handling provides the flexibility to print full bleed 11" x 17"/A3 documents, 2 page spreads, and more.

Pricing, Availability & Distribution -O-

     Optional configuration US pricing:
PlateMaker 3,   1200 x 1200 dpi, 64 MB RAM.....................$5,995
PlateMaker 3,   2400 x 2400 dpi, 160 MB RAM....................$7,995

Xante offers a one year warranty and an unconditional 30 day money back guarantee. The PlateMaker 3, FilmStar 2, Myriad 2 Plates, Myriad Film, and other Xante products are available direct from Xante or from authorized resellers worldwide.

XANTE, founded in 1989, is a privately held corporation that develops and markets high performance printing solutions. XANTE's product line consists of high resolution laser printers, computer-to-plate and computer-to-film systems, and controllers for wide format color inkjet printing. XANTE products are available direct or from resellers in the U.S. and abroad.

XANTE, Accel-a-Writer, X-ACT, and FilmStar are trademarks or registered trademarks of XANTE Corporation. Adobe and PostScript are trademarks of Adobe Systems, Incorporated, which may be registered in certain jurisdictions. Other brands and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

CONTACT: XANTE Corporation

Lesa G. Moore, Tel: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

http://www.xante.com