Presstek, Inc. announced that it will be introducing a UV printing option for the Presstek 52DI and 34DI digital offset presses at drupa, the world's largest printing trade show scheduled for May 29th through June 11th, 2008, at the Messe Dusseldorf in Germany. More than 400,000 visitors from 122 countries are expected to attend this show where Presstek will be showcasing the UV option on the Presstek 52DI in Hall 04, Stand A55.

UV printing represents a significant growth opportunity for print service providers. With the DI implementation, even faster turnaround is achieved with the UV waterless inks drying instantly as each sheet exits onto a transport ramp, under UV lights and into a high-pile delivery system. UV waterless inks have the potential to achieve greater densities than conventional waterless inks and provide superior printing on a full range of plastics and specialty substrates, including lenticular. Faster drying times and high-fidelity reproduction on non-porous materials and uncoated stocks result in faster turnaround times and a higher quality process for the production of labels, direct mail, packaging, point-of-purchase materials and general commercial printing. These lightfast inks also offer increased durability and quality when printing on foils, vinyls, films and plastics.

Two UV printing options will be available for both the Presstek 52DI and 34DI, including field upgrades. The breakthrough hybrid UV option that allows for switching between standard waterless and UV waterless inks will be available in the fourth quarter of 2008. The UV option for operating the DI as a UV waterless press will be available in the third quarter of 2008.

Presstek 52DI and 34DI digital offset presses deliver environmentally friendly, fast turnaround, high quality short run color printing, economical in run length quantities as low as 250. Presstek DI bridges the strategic gap between conventional offset and digital toner-based presses. According to InfoTrends research, the Presstek DI delivers a 50 percent cost savings on average per letter-size page when compared to a high-volume production color digital press and job profitability is 13% higher on a DI press when compared to a conventional offset press. The Presstek 52DI is a 52cm press with a maximum sheet size of 510 x 360 mm; and the Presstek 34DI is a 34cm press with a maximum sheet size of 340 x 460 mm.