Digital printing, particularly new ink-jet solutions, stole the show.

By Mark Smith

Presstek stressed environmentally friendly platemaking with its launch of the Compass 4000 (four-up) and 8000 (eight-up) series thermal platesetters and the Vector FL52 platesetter and Freedom Pro plate combo.

On the thermal plate side, Agfa rolled out the Azura TS, which is said to increase throughput by up to 50 percent compared to previous versions, and China-based Xingraphics previewed Fit eco, a processless product that supports run lengths up to 50,000 impressions with no pre-heat required. Fujifilm’s Brillia High Definition PRO-V chemistry-free violet plate also, figuratively, saw the light of day at Drupa.