ATLANTA, Ga., October 15, 2008 – Durst’s newest roll-to-roll printer, the Rho 320R, takes center stage this week in Booth #1861 at the SGIA trade show – along with the company’s industry-standard flatbed printer, the most environmentally friendly UV inks now available, and a revolutionary, award-winning service delivery system, Durst Image Technology U.S., LLC, announced today.

The 126”-wide Rho 320R Large-Format UV Inkjet Roll Printer makes its U.S. debut at SGIA (please see accompanying press release).  Also on exhibit in the Durst booth is the award-winning, 98”-wide Rho 800 Presto Large-Format UV Inkjet Flatbed Printer; Durst’s totally VOC-free TH (thermoformable) series of high-performance, environmentally compatible inks; and its innovative web-based Durst Service Portal, the company said.

“Everything we put into our printing platforms, and everything we do in support of them, helps the commercial imager produce quality results efficiently,” said Christopher Howard, Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Durst U.S.  “Image quality, workflow, versatility, reliability – it all gets our utmost attention.  Because success isn’t measured simply by how fast your printer runs.  It’s measured by how much saleable output you’re able to ship at the end of the day.”

Rho 320R:  Quality in Two-Pass Mode
The new Rho 320R prints on a wide range of coated and uncoated media up to 10.5 ft. wide at speeds up to 1,440 sf/hr.  But what sets it apart is its ability to print detailed, color-accurate images in two-pass mode at a productive 710 sf/hr.  Options include media-handling mechanics for printing two rolls side by side, and a media-tracking apparatus for the perfect registration of double-sided printing.  Image processing and workflow is controlled by the Caldera Grand RIP+.

Rho 800 Presto:  Productivity
The Durst Rho 800 Presto offers a first:  continuous board printing for highest productivity.  It also prints on multiple narrow boards fed across its full 98 inch width on a variety of materials up to 2.75 inches thick, at a top speed of 1,200 sf/hr.  In two-pass mode, the Rho 800 Presto prints high-quality images that stand up to close inspection at an impressive 624 sf/hr.

Like the Rho 320R, the Rho 800 Presto is compatible with Durst’s heavy-duty roll feed/take-up accessory – designed for long runs and fast media changes, capable of handling oversized rolls up to 440 pounds (200kg) with a roll diameter up to 12 inches (30cm) and a width up to 80 inches (200cm).  It prints white ink, special-effect varnish, and light and spot colors with no loss of speed.  Durst’s proprietary Quadro™ Array 30-picolitre print head technology ensures sharp images, crisp text down to 4-point type, and exceptional color density.

‘Green’ Inks That Work
SGIA attendees can learn more about Durst’s environmentally friendly, low-odor UV inks, including the Rho Flexible Ink Set – compatible with the Rho 320R and Rho 351R.  This ink set delivers a wide color gamut and high color density, plus high flexibility and adhesion properties, making it appropriate for an exceptionally broad range of roll substrates.  Durst’s Flexible Ink Set is highly durable and weather-resistant, making it the right choice for the most demanding print requirements and the greatest range of applications.

Durst also now offers TH Inks – a thermoformable UV ink set that is totally VOC-free (no “dead fish” sign is required on the packaging), and therefore are the most “green” UV-curable inks currently available.  They consistently show uniform, accurate color with strong adhesion and no cracking, according to the results of thorough testing by Durst.

Durst Service Portal:  Up-Time
Durst also is demonstrating the award-winning Durst Service Portal, which lets customers work either directly with Durst’s telephone support technicians or independently, to troubleshoot their equipment and solve problems.  It offers an innovative, efficient, cost-effective solution to solve service issues quickly and effectively, and get the customer’s equipment up and running faster.

The Durst Service Portal also features EDSON (Enhanced Diagnostic & Service Online Network), which provides Durst customers access to online training, trouble-shooting procedures, sophisticated animations and other online assistance to help them solve problems themselves inexpensively and minimize their downtime.  A complete preventative maintenance module helps Durst customers keep their printers running at peak performance and eliminate problems before they can develop, the company said.

Pricing and other information about Durst products, services and solutions is available by calling Durst at:  1-888-480-3588, or e-mailing Durst at:  info@durstus.com.

About Durst
Durst Phototechnik AG is a leading manufacturer of professional digital imaging systems for graphic, pre-press, signage, commercial / retail display, packaging, industrial and photographic applications.  Headquartered in Brixen, Italy, the company operates manufacturing facilities in Brixen and Lienz, Austria; has major offices in the U.S., France, United Kingdom, Germany and Mexico; and partners with exclusive agents in 120 countries.  Durst’s solid reputation for quality, precision, innovation and reliability spans more than 70 years.

Durst Image Technology U.S., LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Durst Phototechnik Group and the exclusive distributor and service provider for all Durst professional digital imaging equipment in the United States and Canada.  Durst’s professional imaging products include the renowned Lambda laser imagers, Rho and Gamma large-format UV inkjet printers, Theta roll-to-cut print photo imagers, photo album creation systems, and other products.

CONTACT:  For information on Durst Image Technology U.S., LLC or any of Durst’s products and services, contact Christopher Howard, Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing:  phone (585) 486-0340 ext. 5250, fax (585) 486-0350, e-mail choward@durstus.com.  Or visit Durst U.S. online at:  www.durstus.com.