Artwork Systems and Stork Prints announce partnership

Artwork Systems Group N.V., 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, commented: ‘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 labor-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, commented: ‘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 program offers both increased quality and much simplified workflow, for the production of flexo, letterpress and rotary screen printing formes.