Stork Prints and Artwork Systems announce partnership to optimise pre-production workflow of laser engraving process
Artwork Systems Group N.V. (EURONEXT: ARTS), a world leader in professional pre-press software, and Stork Prints, leaders in direct laser technology, announce a partnership agreement with the aim of enhancing the workflow in the pre-production stages of Stork's direct laser engraving process. Under the agreement, Stork Prints will enable all engraving systems to be fully compatible with Artwork Systems' Nexus™ comprehensive RIP (raster image processing) workflow solution for label and packaging environments.
At the same time, both Artwork Systems and Stork Prints will establish a working group dedicated to further development of the software and workflow for laser engraving technology.
Wilfried Koopman, director - graphics at Stork Prints, comments: "With this partnership, we are well placed to further strengthen the laser engraving process as the most competitive option in printing forme production. The process is already proven as a means of delivering unparalleled levels of quality. Pooling our technical resources and expertise with one of the global leaders in RIP software means we can develop a fast, totally seamless workflow, configured to our customers' needs for functionality and security."
Nexus™ increases productivity in pre-production by automating labour-intensive tasks and RIP-based tasks. Artwork Systems' suite of modular, professional prepress software has a global installed base of over 9,000 ArtPro licenses and over 2,500 Nexus licenses. The latest edition of the Nexus™ software offers total compatibility with PDF versions 1.3, 1.4 and 1.5. This eliminates the need for image flattening. Thus, designs – including trapping - do not lose their settings, and can be edited at all stages of development. JDF job-ticket readability is also included.
Guido van der Schueren, Chairman of the Board of Artwork Systems, comments: "Direct laser engraving clearly represents the future of printing forme production. We are very pleased to be working together with Stork Prints, who share our commitment to the development of pre-production solutions that offer the highest level of quality and simplicity."
Stork Prints’ laser-engraving programme offers both increased quality and much simplified workflow, for the production of flexo, letterpress and rotary screen printing formes.
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ABOUT STORK PRINTS
Stork Prints develops and produces (as the only company in the world to do so) rotary screen-printing systems and digital systems for all process steps in the printing process, both for the textile and graphic printing market. Stork Prints first launched its laser-engraving programme at drupa 2004, with the arrival of the Agrios (dedicated flexo), and Morpheus (flexo-screen) units for both wide and narrow-web markets. The company continues to develop and expanding its program. The company recently announced the launch of tailored solutions for the narrow-web market. These include rotaLEN 5511, a dedicated system for engraving the welded nickel, RotaMesh screen cylinders, and Helios 6010, the first laser engraver to digitally create flexo, letterpress and rotary screen-printing formes.
Visit the website at: http://stork.com/prints .
ABOUT ARTWORK SYSTEMS
Artwork Systems develops complete and integrated software solutions for the preparation of professional color printing or pre-press. Artwork Systems now has offices in Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, the United Kingdom, and the United States with international support structures in Australia, Brazil, Mexico and Singapore. Partner organizations in more than 40 countries are responsible for the additional worldwide distribution of the various products. Through the acquisition of Enfocus and Dimensional Impressions, Artwork Systems now also has a presence in Silicon Valley (San Mateo, CA, USA) and Los Angeles, CA, USA. Enfocus is equally headquartered in Gent, Belgium. The most important markets are Western Europe and the United States. During fiscal year 2005, worldwide turnover amounted to 46.22 million euro.
Visit the website at: www.artwork-systems.com
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
Artwork Systems NV
Guido Van der Schueren, Stapelplein 70/300, B-9000 Gent, Belgium
Tel: + 32 9 265 84 11; Fax: + 32 9 265 84 10;
Mobile Guido Van der Schueren: + 32 475 84 47 78.
E-mail: info@artwork-systems.com
Stork Prints B.V.
Raamstraat 1-3, 5831 AT Boxmeer, Netherlands
Arno Vonk, Communications Manager
Tel: +31 (0)485 599296; Fax: +31 (0)485 599 364
E-mail: arno.vonk@stork.com