Xitron Inc.

According to IPG data, almost 22 percent of in-plants have an imagesetter. Until last month, one of them was the University of Mississippi, which has been churning out film with a Screen Katana for years. The main reason the shop stuck with it? “It was paid for,” laughs Tony Seaman, director of Printing and Graphic Services at the Oxford, Miss., shop. 

Jim Thrush, president of Xitron, is retiring after 12 years with the company. He began his career with Xitron in 1996 as a sales representative and was soon promoted to vice president of sales and marketing. In 2000, he became president and was responsible for building Xitron’s worldwide dealer network and expanding role as an OEM supplier. During Thrush’s tenure, Xitron achieved many milestones including the successful transition from being just a provider of replacement RIPs to becoming a leading provider of workflow solutions with support for more than 250 different output devices. In addition, Xitron just recently celebrated its 30th anniversary and shipped

Xitron, a developer of Raster Image Processors, RIP management software and workflow solutions, is celebrating its 30th anniversary. Started in 1977 by Tom Hamilton, Xitron’s first products were interfaces that provided a direct link between proprietary editorial systems and high-speed phototypesetters, such as the Linotype 202, in newspapers. These interfaces were housed in a blue metal box and the name “Blue Box” became synonymous with the device. Although this technology is considered rudimentary by today’s standards, in the late ’70s it was revolutionary, resulting in the first “open system” concepts that would eventually unlock the doors to desktop publishing. “From the company’s inception through the

Xitron, Inc., an independent developer and integrator of Raster Image Processors, RIP management software and workflow solutions, has been acquired by Vanguard Graphics International (VGI). Xitron was previously a part of the Agfa Graphics group of Agfa-Gevaert NV. It was acquired by Agfa as part of the company’s Autologic acquisition at the end of 2001. Vanguard Graphics is a privately held holding company specializing in acquiring and managing graphic arts companies that serve small to medium sized printers. VGI also owns Printware, LLC, a provider of computer-to-plate systems, and HighWater Designs, a company known for its line of RIPs and metal platesetters.

St. Paul, MN—March 14, 2007—Vanguard Graphics International (“VGI”) today announced its acquisition of Xitron, Inc., a leading graphic arts industry developer and integrator of Raster Image Processors (RIP’s), RIP management software and related digital workflow solutions. Xitron is headquartered in Ann Arbor, MI and markets its products worldwide. Vanguard Graphics International is a privately held holding company specializing in acquiring and managing graphic arts companies that serve small to medium sized printers worldwide. In addition to Xitron, VGI owns Printware, LLC of St. Paul, Minnesota, a leading provider of innovative prepress solutions focused primarily on polyester and metal based computer-to-plate systems and HighWater

DESPITE ALL the talk in the industry of virtual proofing, Ken Johnson still thinks customers prefer a proof they can hold in their hands. “Their eyes gloss over [when proofing] on the computer screen,” says Johnson, director of Printing Services at Ball State University, in Muncie, Ind. His in-plant uses Kodak’s MatchPrint ProofPro software along with Screen USA’s Trueflow workflow. Proofs are printed on a MatchPrint ProofPro 2610 ink-jet printer. But out at Western Growers, in Irvine, Calif., Robert Delgado feels much differently. His in-plant e-mails PDF proofs to customers, and he says they have been satisfied with the arrangement. Proofs always match the

Agfa ApogeeX 3.0 workflow software is based on PDF, JDF (Job Definition Format) and Digital Film. Featuring a single, easy-to-use user interface, it offers a range of capabilities. Provides extensive process automation and connectivity features. Apogee PrintDrive enables integration with non-Agfa workflow solutions and output systems. New step-and-repeat function requires a page to be RIPed and trapped only once. Apogee Raster Blaster helps integrate most non-Agfa output devices into workflow. Apogee Power Converter converts legacy formats to PDF. :Delano 2.6 project management system offers extended JDF connectivity. It offers better support for spot colors, an improved user interface and faster system responsiveness.