LaGrange, IL, September 2005 - GRIPdigital - the market leader who brought the CCDot to CTP calibration is introducing another first: a physically traceable FM standard for all offset plate calibrations. With the advent of FM Stochastic “irrational” screening methods and many competing algorithms, the industry has often sought to find a traceable standard to lean upon - but there was none. The dilemma for printers has long-time been that although FM screening benefits on press are functional, with no traceable FM “stake in the ground,” accuracy is often suspect. Due to the lack of an established FM reference, the inherent question of “whose imaging algorithm(s) are correct?” has now been solved, along with the ability to improve FM printing objectively. The defunct FOGRA PSD formerly served as the “Mother of all Halftones”andis now replaced and updated with both AM and FMstandards in the FMB plate tool.

GRIPdigital in conjunction with FOGRA and TECHKON has released the first affordable standard that is a true AM & FM physical reference on a single plate. The FOGRA Measuring Bar (FMB) is an accurately processed printing plate with measurement patches calculated by FOGRA (German Research Institute for Printing) with a high-resolution Planimeter. The DMSPK910 is internally calibrated to this standard during the manufacturing process. Industry users may verify international accuracy matching values on plates with GRIP’s newly released DMS Pro software. However, the importance in setting a complete CTP standard, regardless of workflow is not only traceability. This also serves as an industry imaging “stake in the ground”. In announcing this advancement Greg Imhoff, President of GRIPdigital commented:

“Our new technology enables complete CTP traceability with expert physical references for all workflows. Used in conjunction with our handheld microscope GRIP improves plate measurement speeds and accuracies, over all dotmeters. Now for the first time any printer may also focus CTP laser alignments, improve overall imaging qualities, identify plate surface sensitivities, and even efficiently qualify in-line chemical and processing issues”.

Background:
GRIPdigital, inc. established in 1998 is the CTP technology leader specializing in color hardware and software solutions for the graphic arts industry and a standards committee member in both Offset & Flexo industries. For the success of its former product lines, GRIP is the only company to win Must See ‘Em’s and Worth-a-Looks in plate measuring technologies. For detailed information about the next level most advanced tool kit for CTP measurement the DMSPK910, contact the company at (708) 588-1150, via e-mail at sales@gripdigital.com, or on the web at www.gripdigital.com for live hands-on applications tour with voice over easily seeing any plate proof, and press matching, all in about 7-minutes.