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Global Graphics raises the bar in inkjet quality with drupa launch

New innovation helps single-pass inkjet presses achieve high quality at high speed

Single-pass inkjet presses can now achieve significantly better print quality, thanks to a technology breakthrough to be unveiled by Global Graphics Software at drupa (drupa innovation parc 70B21\C20). Global Graphics Software is a leading developer of software platforms for digital printing, including the Harlequin RIP®.

The Harlequin Multi-Level Digital Screening Engine™ varies the amount of ink delivered from the inkjet head in any one location on any type of media to overcome common problems such as streaking and mottling that are frustrating many press manufacturers.

Martin Bailey, chief technology officer at Global Graphics Software, says: ”These advances in quality follow our extensive research with inkjet press manufacturers. Our new Harlequin Multi-Level Digital Screening Engine™ compensates for the quality problems currently faced by inkjet press manufacturers and helps them to achieve their goals of high quality and high speed. This new engine can be integrated into Digital Front Ends based on Harlequin RIPs, but will also work with third party DFEs by the addition of a standalone version to replace the native screening.”

The Harlequin Multi-Level Digital Screening Engine™ is part of a new service Global Graphics will introduce to inkjet developers at drupa, that sees technicians measure test prints from single-pass greyscale presses, and process the results through Global Graphics’ new Digital Print Quality Optimizer tool. This calculates optimized patterning and overlaps for the various ink drop sizes available, to overcome common high speed inkjet press problems such as streaking and mottling.

The Digital Print Quality Optimizer calculates the optimum drop sizes and screen pattern for particular combinations of press, grayscale/multi-level print heads, and substrate. This significantly improves the printed quality of photographs and similar image types, especially in highlights and areas of subtly changing tones. Global Graphics measures the printing characteristics of the press and calculates optimal changes in the dot patterning. These mitigate the effect of drops straying in flight from their aim points and possibly then spreading and coalescing on the substrate before they can be cured.

The Digital Print Quality Optimizer allows the Harlequin Multi-Level Digital Screen to be fine-tuned for particular press/substrate combinations, with particular regard to controlling the overlap between different drop sizes as they are used to build up tones from light to dark.

Global Graphics has published a White Paper that addresses the quality challenges associated with high speed greyscale presses and explains how the new Harlequin Multi-Level Digital Screening works to mitigate the quality variables. This White Paper, “Halftone screen Optimization for Single-Pass Inkjets,” can be downloaded from the Global Graphics website at www.globalgraphics.com/screening-optimizer-white-paper.

Editors notes

About Global Graphics
Global Graphics (Euronext: GLOG) is a leading developer of software platforms for digital printing, digital document and PDF applications, including the Harlequin RIP. Customers include HP, Quark, Canon, Delphax, Kodak and Agfa. The roots of the company go back to 1986 and to the iconic university town of Cambridge, and, today the majority of the R&D team is still based near here. There are also offices near Boston, Massachusetts and in Tokyo. Additional information is available at http://www.globalgraphics.comGlobal Graphics, Harlequin, the Harlequin logo, the Harlequin RIP, are trademarks of Global Graphics Software Limited which may be registered in certain jurisdictions. Global Graphics is a trademark of Global Graphics S.E. which may be registered in certain jurisdictions. PostScript is a trademark of Adobe Systems Incorporated which may be registered in certain jurisdictions. All other brand and product names are the registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective owners.

Contact

Jill Taylor/Global Graphics
+44 1223 926489

Jill.Taylor@globalgraphics.com
Paula Halpin/Global Graphics Software
+44 1223 926017

paula.halpin@globalgraphics.com

Global Graphics launches version 11 of the Harlequin RIP

More controls for inkjet presses and new features for labels and packaging

A major new release of the Harlequin RIP®, the software engine that drives the printing industry’s highest performing digital presses, is launched today.

Reputed for the quality of its output as well as its speed, the Harlequin RIP transforms design and pre-press data into a format that can be printed and feeds those pages to the press. It’s compatible with a wide range of PDF design tools and compliant with industry standards.

The new version, Harlequin 11, raises the bar in output quality by introducing features to improve inkjet output quality, offers more controls for variable data printing, and contains new features for labels and packaging applications.

Martin Bailey, CTO, Global Graphics Software says, “Global Graphics continues to enhance the Harlequin RIP to maintain its position as the fastest and highest quality rendering engine for production print. We know that our success relies on helping our OEM partners to deliver and ship products that impress their customers, so the new developments in version 11 are specifically designed to address the pain points encountered in real-world print environments, identified either in response to customer requests, or in our own research.”

Harlequin 11 is available in two editions: the Harlequin Host Renderer 11, which powers the Digital Front Ends used in high-volume digital production environments; and, Harlequin MultiRIP 11 for conventional and light digital production printing.

Harlequin Host Renderer 11
Harlequin Host Renderer 11 is an essential component of the digital front ends that power high-performance devices such as HP PageWide Presses. New features include:
· Improvements to inkjet output quality: Inkjet press manufacturers are reaching the limits of what can be achieved with mechanical improvements and have turned to Global Graphics Software to fix their problems using software. With Harlequin Multi-level Digital Screening technology (see separate press release, Global Graphics raises the bar in inkjet quality with drupa launch)a process that tunes multi-level half-tones, output quality is raised significantly even on challenging media. This feature is also available as a standalone product that is compatible with workflow tools from other vendors including Esko and EFI.

· Even faster variable data printing: The Harlequin RIP already contains Harlequin VariData™ to speed up the processing of variable data saved as PDF/VT or PDF. Harlequin 11 introduces a new feature whereby each graphic is rendered only once even if it is used in multiple positions on a page. This is especially valuable when a page layout flexes or when many instances of a direct mail piece or label are imposed together into a single PDF “page” representing an imposed sheet. If PDF/VT files are created using “PDF/VT hints” (described in the ISO standard) the processing speed is even faster. Global Graphics believes that Harlequin 11 is the first RIP to be able to use these hints. Global Graphics is one of the foremost experts in PDF/VT. (See the guide Do PDF/VT Right )

Harlequin MultiRIP 11
This version of the Harlequin RIP is active in thousands of installations around the world. Print service providers who upgrade to Harlequin MultiRIP 11 will benefit from many new productivity features, such as:
· Speed enhancements targeted at image heavy jobs so that in light production printing, where presses are driven by a single RIP, pages are fed even more quickly to the press, increasing productivity so that print service providers can fit more jobs into a shift.

· Quality enhancements such as image snapping; many design and composition tools split what looks like a single large image into tiles when making PostScript® and PDF which can result in fine white lines appearing on the output if the tiles don’t align correctly. Automated snapping identifies and automatically adjusts tiles so that they align exactly.

New features for labels and packaging
In addition to existing features for brand color matching and a selection of screens for flexo, offset and digital production Harlequin 11 introduces:

· The Harlequin Contour Processor™ that intercepts specified spot separations and exports them. Many packaging and label jobs include die lines and other technical separations which often need to be printed for proofing, or for aligning prints and pre-cut media or post-print die cutting. Those separations need to be removed from the raster for production printing. This feature is also useful for wide format plotter/cutters.
· Overriding overprint for white, varnish and metallic: Some special colorants should not knock out of, or be knocked out by, other colorants. A varnish should never knock out of other colors, for instance, while a white ink laid in under other colors should not be knocked out by ‘real’ graphics in other inks. Harlequin 11 includes configurations that allow these overprints to be controlled.

Press vendors and print shops who use Harlequin include HP Indigo and HP PageWide Press, Canon, Delphax, Global Inkjet Systems and Quad Graphics. Press vendors wishing to evaluate Harlequin Host Renderer 11 should contact info@globalgraphics.com. Print service providers looking to upgrade to Harlequin MultiRIP 11 are advised to contact their equipment supplier.

Editors notes

About Global Graphics
Global Graphics is one of the world’s foremost experts in printing, PDF and digital document software. Ours is the software behind the perfect printed and digital communication. Through our various technologies for rendering, screening, and color management, we add value to solutions marketed by the world’s leading brands, including HP, Canon, Delphax, Wasatch and Onyx. We are a public company listed on Euronext (GLOG).Additional information is available at http://www.globalgraphics.comGlobal Graphics, Harlequin, the Harlequin logo, the Harlequin RIP, Harlequin VariData, Harlequin Parallel Pages, Harlequin Contour Processor, are trademarks of Global Graphics Software Limited which may be registered in certain jurisdictions. Global Graphics is a trademark of Global Graphics S.E. which may be registered in certain jurisdictions. PostScript is a trademark of Adobe Systems Incorporated which may be registered in certain jurisdictions. All other brand and product names are the registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective owners.

Contact

Jill Taylor/Global Graphics
+44 1223 926489

Jill.Taylor@globalgraphics.com

Paula Halpin/Global Graphics Software
+44 1223 926017

paula.halpin@globalgraphics.com

Global Graphics place la barre encore plus haut en termes d’impression jet d’encre

Düsseldorf, le 2mars 2016 : Les presses à jet d’encre en un seul passage peuvent désormais générer une meilleure qualité d’impression, grâce à une technologie révolutionnaire qui sera dévoilée par Global Graphics Software à l’occasion du salon DRUPA (drupa innovation parc 70B21\C20). Global Graphics Software est l’un des principaux développeurs de plates-formes logicielles pour l’impression numérique, notamment le RIP Harlequin®.

Le moteur Harlequin Multi-Level Digital Screening Engine™ varie la quantité d’encre diffusée de la tête de jet d’encre vers un endroit donné, quel que soit le type de support, afin de surmonter certains problèmes classiques, notamment l’apparition de traînées et marbrures, source de frustration pour les constructeurs de presses.

« Ces avancées qualité sont le fruit de nos recherches poussées auprès des fabricants de presses à jet d’encre », se réjouit Martin Bailey, directeur technique de Global Graphics Software. « Notre nouveau moteur Harlequin Multi-Level Digital Screening Engine™ résorbe les problèmes de qualité que rencontrent actuellement les fabricants de presses à jet d’encre et les aide à atteindre leurs objectifs de haute qualité et de vitesse élevée. Il peut être intégré à des frontaux numériques basés sur le RIP Harlequin, mais fonctionne également avec des frontaux tiers, grâce à la version autonome qui remplace le processus natif de criblage, ou screening. »

Le moteur Harlequin Multi-Level Digital Screening Engine™ fait partie d’un nouveau service que Global Graphics présentera aux développeurs de systèmes à jet d’encre au salon DRUPA. Les techniciens pourront mesurer des impressions tests réalisées par des presses à niveaux de gris en un seul passage et traiter les résultats en utilisant le nouvel outil de Global Graphics : le Digital Print Quality Optimizer. Ainsi, les motifs et les chevauchements optimaux seront calculés pour les différentes tailles de goutte d’encre disponibles, afin de surmonter les problèmes classiques des presses à jet d’encre grande vitesse, notamment l’apparition de traînées et de marbrures.

Le Digital Print Quality Optimizer calcule les tailles de gouttes et le criblage optimaux pour des combinaisons données de presses, de têtes d’impression niveaux de gris/multi-niveaux, et de substrats. Ceci améliore considérablement la qualité d’impression des photographies et autres images de ce type, en particulier pour les effets de lumière et les variations subtiles de tons. Global Graphics mesure les caractéristiques d’impression de la presse et calcule les changements optimaux de la répartition des points. Cela atténue l’effet d’éparpillement des gouttes qui ratent leur cible, d’où un risque d’étalement et de coalescence sur le substrat.

Le Digital Print Quality Optimizer permet au Multi-Level Digital Screen Harlequin d’être affiné pour une combinaison presse/substrats spécifique, en particulier en ce qui concerne le contrôle du chevauchement entre les différentes tailles de gouttes utilisées pour passer du clair au foncé.

Global Graphics a publié un livre blanc consacré aux défis de qualité associés aux presses en niveaux de gris haute vitesse et explique comment la nouvelle fonction Harlequin Multi-Level Digital Screening atténue les variations de qualité. Vous pouvez télécharger ce livre blanc, « Optimisation de l’écran demi-teinte pour les imprimantes jet d’encre à un seul passage » (Halftone screen Optimization for Single-Pass Inkjets), à partir du site Web de Global Graphics: www.globalgraphics.com/screening-optimizer-white-paper.

Editors notes

À propos de Global Graphics
Global Graphics (Euronext : GLOG) est l’un des principaux développeurs de plates-formes logicielles pour l’impression numérique et les applications documents numériques et PDF, comprenant le RIP Harlequin. Nous comptons parmi nos clients HP, Quark, Canon, Delphax, Kodak et Agfa. L’entreprise a été créée en 1986 dans la ville universitaire emblématique de Cambridge. Aujourd’hui encore, la majorité de l’équipe R&D est basée dans cette région. Nous avons également des bureaux près de Boston, dans le Massachusetts (États-Unis) et à Tokyo (Japon). Des informations supplémentaires sont disponibles à l’adresse suivante : http://www.globalgraphics.comGlobal Graphics, Harlequin, le logo Harlequin et le RIP Harlequin sont des marques commerciales de Global Graphics Software Limited qui peuvent être déposées dans certaines juridictions. Global Graphics est une marque commerciale de Global Graphics S.E. qui peut être déposée dans certaines juridictions. PostScript est une marque commerciale d’Adobe Systems Incorporated qui peut être déposée dans certaines juridictions. Les autres noms de marque et de produit sont les marques commerciales ou les marques déposées de leurs détenteurs respectifs.

Contact

Jill Taylor/Global Graphics
+44 1223 926489

Jill.Taylor@globalgraphics.com
Paula Halpin/Global Graphics Software
+44 1223 926017

paula.halpin@globalgraphics.com

Global Graphics innalza il livello della qualità inkjet con il lancio al drupa

Con quest’ultima innovazione i sistemi di stampa inkjet a singolo passaggio possono raggiungere qualità elevate ad alta velocità

i sistemi di stampa inkjet a singolo passaggio sono ora in grado di raggiungere una qualità di stampa notevolmente superiore grazie all’innovazione tecnologica che verrà illustrata da Global Graphics Software al drupa (drupa innovation parc 70B21\C20). Global Graphics Software è leader nello sviluppo di piattaforme software per la stampa digitale, tra queste Harlequin RIP®.

Harlequin Multi-Level Digital Screening Engine™ varia la quantità di inchiostro rilasciata dalla testina inkjet in qualsiasi punto su qualsiasi tipo di supporto, per superare quei problemi comuni, come striature e chiazze, che affliggono molti produttori di sistemi di stampa.

Martin Bailey, chief technology officer di Global Graphics Software, ha dichiarato: ”Questi miglioramenti della qualità sono il risultato del grande lavoro di ricerca svolto con i produttori di sistemi di stampa inkjet. Il nostro nuovo Harlequin Multi-Level Digital Screening Engine™ risolve i problemi dei produttori di sistemi di stampa inkjet e li aiuta a raggiungere gli obiettivi desiderati in termini di elevata qualità e alta velocità. Il nuovo motore può essere integrato nei Digital Front End basati su Harlequin RIP, ma funziona anche con DFE di terze parti aggiungendo una versione standalone in sostituzione dello screening nativo”.

Harlequin Multi-Level Digital Screening Engine™ fa parte del nuovo servizio che Global Graphics presenterà agli sviluppatori per inkjet al drupa: si tratta della misura svolta da tecnici delle stampe di prova eseguite con sistemi di stampa in scala di grigi a singolo passaggio e della successiva analisi dei risultati con il nuovo strumento di Global Graphics, Digital Print Quality Optimizer. Questo strumento calcola i modelli di ottimizzazione e le sovrapposizioni per le diverse dimensioni disponibili della goccia d’inchiostro, con la finalità di superare i problemi comuni dei sistemi di stampa inkjet ad alta velocità come striature e chiazze.

Digital Print Quality Optimizer calcola la dimensione ottimale della goccia e il modello di copertura per le particolari combinazioni di sistema di stampa, testina di stampa in scala di grigi/multilivello e substrato. Il miglioramento della qualità di stampa di fotografie e tipi d’immagini analoghi è notevole, in particolare nei punti di luce e nelle aree che presentano variazioni minime dei toni. Global Graphics misura le caratteristiche del sistema di stampa e calcola le variazioni ottimali del modello di punti. Si mitiga così l’effetto della diffusione delle gocce che si disperdono anziché raggiungere il punto stabilito e possono spandersi e unirsi sul substrato prima di poter essere asciugate.

Digital Print Quality Optimizer consente la regolazione fine di Harlequin Multi-Level Digital Screen in base alla particolare combinazione di sistema di stampa e substrato, con attenzione particolare al controllo della sovrapposizione di gocce di dimensioni diverse che servono per realizzare i toni dal chiaro allo scuro.

Global Graphics ha pubblicato un White Paper sui problemi di qualità associati ai sistemi di stampa in scala di grigi ad alta velocità che illustra il funzionamento del nuovo Harlequin Multi-Level Digital Screening per mitigare le variabili di qualità. È possibile scaricare questo White Paper, “Halftone screen Optimization for Single-Pass Inkjets” dal sito Web di Global Graphics, all’indirizzo www.globalgraphics.com/screening-optimizer-white-paper.

Editors notes

Global Graphics

Global Graphics (Euronext: GLOG) è leader nello sviluppo di piattaforme software per la stampa digitale, i documenti digitali e le applicazioni PDF, incluso Harlequin RIP. Tra i suoi clienti: HP, Quark, Canon, Delphax, Kodak, Agfa. Gli inizi della società risalgono al 1986 e alla mitica città universitaria di Cambridge, e oggi la maggioranza del team di ricerca e sviluppo lavora nelle sue vicinanze. Ha anche sedi vicino Boston e a Tokyo. Per ulteriori informazioni, visitare il sito Web all’indirizzo http://www.globalgraphics.comGlobal Graphics, Harlequin, il logo Harlequin, Harlequin RIP sono marchi commerciali di Global Graphics Software Limited che possono essere registrati in alcune giurisdizioni. Global Graphics è un marchio commerciale di Global Graphics S.E. che può essere registrato in alcune giurisdizioni. PostScript è un marchio commerciale di Adobe Systems Incorporated che può essere registrato in alcune giurisdizioni. Tutti gli altri marchi e nomi di prodotti sono marchi o marchi registrati dei rispettivi proprietari.

Contact

Jill Taylor/Global Graphics
+44 1223 926489

Jill.Taylor@globalgraphics.com
Paula Halpin/Global Graphics Software
+44 1223 926017

paula.halpin@globalgraphics.com

Global Graphics publishes 2015 annual report and financial statements

Cambridge (UK), 1 March 2016 (18.00 CET): Global Graphics SE (Euronext: GLOG) announces that it has published its annual report and financial statements for the financial year ended 31 December 2015.

The full document is available for download from the investors section of the Company’s web site at: http://www.globalgraphics.com/investors/financial-reports

Should you wish to receive printed copies please send an e-mail to investor-relations@globalgraphics.com or make your request in writing, for the attention of the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, to 2030 Cambourne Business Park, Cambourne, Cambridge, CB23 6DW, UK.

Key consolidated figures

In thousands of euros	2015	2014	Change

Revenue	15,265	11,355	3,910
Operating profit	1,126	1,182	(56)
Profit before tax	1,216	1,160	56
Tax benefit	685	474	211
Profit for the year attributable to equity holders	1,901	1,634	267

Basic earnings per share	0.18	0.16	0.02

Net cash	4,235	4,161	74

The Group presents adjusted financial results when reporting its financial results to provide investors with an additional tool to evaluate the Group’s results in a manner that focuses on what the Group believes to be its underlying business operations. The Group’s management believes that the inclusion of adjusted financial results provides consistency and comparability with past reports and comparability to similar companies in the Group’s industry, many of which present the same or similar adjusted financial information to investors.

In thousands of euros	2015	2014	Change

Adjusted operating profit	3,215	2,157	1,058
Adjusted net profit	3,597	2,474	1,123

Adjusted basic earnings per share	0.34	0.25	0.09

Additional commentary and analysis of the Group’s consolidated results for the year ending 31 December 2015 can be found in the aforementioned annual report and financial statements.

Annual General Meeting
The annual general meeting ("AGM") is scheduled for Tuesday 19 April 2016 in Brussels. The official notice of the AGM will be issued in accordance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements closer to the time.

New share incentive plan
A new equity-settled share incentive plan for 500,000 share options was approved today. The options will vest if the award holder is an employee of the Group and the share price is greater than or equal to €3.00 per share for 20 trading days within a six month period. The IFRS 2 value of the options is expected to be approximately €1.0 million which will be expensed in the Group’s financial statements during 2016 and 2017.

Editors notes

About Global Graphics

Global Graphics (Euronext: GLOG) http://www.globalgraphics.com is a leading developer of software platforms on which our partners create solutions for digital printing, digital document and PDF applications. Customers include HP, Corel, Quark, Kodak and Agfa. The roots of the company go back to 1986 and to the iconic university town of Cambridge, and, today the majority of the R&D team is still based near here. There are also offices near Boston, Massachusetts and in Tokyo.

Contact

Jill Taylor

Corporate Communications Director

Tel: +44 (0)1223 926489

Email: jill.taylor@globalgraphics.com
Graeme Huttley

Chief Financial Officer

Tel: +44 (0)1223 926472

Email: graeme.huttley@globalgraphics.com

Global Graphics and HYBRID Software announce strategic alliance

Global Graphics and HYBRID Software have announced that they are strategically aligning themselves to provide digital press manufacturers with an “unbeatable” package of RIPs and workflow. It is expected that drupa will provide a launchpad for a combined solution.

Both companies are chaired by Guido Van der Schueren formerly managing director and chairman of the Board of Artwork Systems Group NV and vice chairman of the Esko Artwork Group. Global Graphics is the developer of the Harlequin RIP® and HYBRID Software develops the CLOUDFLOW system for running automated graphics workflow production.

Since taking on the role at Global Graphics in 2014 it has been Mr Van der Schueren’s intention to grow the two companies closer together, capitalising on the success of the Harlequin RIP® in driving the fastest digital presses on the market and HYBRID Software’s experience of the end-to-end label and packaging workflow.

Gary Fry, CEO of Global Graphics says, “we have strengthened our position in the high-speed digital market significantly since the last drupa. Today we not only develop the fastest RIP technology on the market, we have a fantastic team of engineers who can go into a customer and problem-solve alongside them. We don’t just throw a RIP at a press vendor, we roll up our sleeves to work together with them to provide the speed and quality they need for their press, their application, their inks and media. Our alliance with HYBRID Software will help us to broaden our product offering to deliver a more complete solution which is what our customers are asking for.”

Christopher Graf, CEO of HYBRID Software says, “The move to digital production in the labels and packaging market changes the need for pre-press solutions dramatically as new devices and new technology emerge. Technical and commercial processes need to be more closely aligned in order to get jobs out to a machine in the most efficient manner. Our products fill the gap that exists in bringing these processes together. Working with Global Graphics will extend these benefits to press vendors by giving them more choice of how to create their DFE.”

Ends

Editors notes

About HYBRID Software

With offices in Belgium, Germany, Italy, US and a global partner network, HYBRID Software is a software development company focused on innovative productivity tools for the graphic arts industry. HYBRID Software´s CLOUDFLOW workflow, our PACKZ editor, and our integration products offer a unique set of advantages that include native PDF workflows, vendor-independent solutions based on industry standards, scalable technology, and low cost of ownership. These products are used by hundreds of customers worldwide in all areas of prepress and print, including labels and packaging, folding cartons, corrugated, wide format, and digital printing. For more information visit: www.hybridsoftware.com

Global Graphics, Harlequin, the Harlequin logo, the Harlequin RIP, are trademarks of Global Graphics Software Limited which may be registered in certain jurisdictions. Global Graphics is a trademark of Global Graphics S.E. which may be registered in certain jurisdictions. PostScript is a trademark of Adobe Systems Incorporated which may be registered in certain jurisdictions. All other brand and product names are the registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective owners

Contact

Jill Taylor/Global Graphics
+44 1223 926489

Jill.Taylor@globalgraphics.com

Global Graphics starts strategic business relationship with Roland DG

Global Graphics (Euronext: GLOG) , a leading developer and provider of software platforms for digital printing, including the Harlequin RIP^®, announced today the start of a strategic business relationship with Roland DG Corporation, a leading manufacturer of wide-format inkjet printers and printer/cutters worldwide.

Akihiro Sadaki, Executive Officer and Division President of R&D for Roland DG, said, “To add value to our Roland VersaWorks Dual RIP and print management software supplied with our inkjet printers and to provide our customers with the ability to efficiently handle ever larger and complicated color files, we are excited to announce that we are adopting Global Graphics’ Harlequin RIP^® engine. We value their track record and proven performance in the commercial printing market, especially in high-end graphic arts.”

“Under the long-term partnership” Sadaki continued, “we will be able to collaborate with the experienced and talented team of Global Graphics engineers who specialize in color management and screening technology to provide solid support for our customers. This agreement will also allow us to reduce lead time for getting our products to market while holding down development and maintenance costs.”

Yoshiyuki Hagiwara, Representative Director of Global Graphics K.K., said, “With this partnership, I look forward to extending our color management technology into Roland DG’s next generation printing and cutting technologies. In addition to expanding the range of our business, I am confident that we will enhance our RIP technology further through collaboration with Roland DG.”

Harlequin RIP^® is widely acknowledged to be the fastest RIP engine available on the market and is quickly becoming the technology of choice for an increasing number of digital press solutions due to its ability to deliver fast and accurate page output times far in excess of the rated speed of the industry’s leading print devices. Additional features that press vendors can choose to integrate include color management and screening.

Editors notes

About Global Graphics
Global Graphics (Euronext: GLOG) is a leading developer of software platforms on which our partners create solutions for digital printing, digital document and PDF applications. Customers include HP, Corel, Quark, Kodak and Agfa. The roots of the company go back to 1986 and to the iconic university town of Cambridge, and, today the majority of the R&D team is still based near here. There are also offices near Boston, Massachusetts and in Tokyo.

Additional information is available at http://www.globalgraphics.com

About Roland DG Corporation
Roland DG Corporation is a leading manufacturer of products designed to help professionals and hobbyists transform their imagination into reality, including SOLJET, VersaCAMM, VersaUV and Texart series large-format inkjet devices, MDX milling and EGX engraving machines, CAMM-1 and STIKA vinyl cutters and MPX photo impact printers. In 2010, the company entered the healthcare market with Easy Shape DWX milling machines designed specifically for creating high-quality dental prosthetics. Roland DG also recently introduced the monoFab series of desktop 3D printers and milling machines for rapid prototyping and manufacturing. The company uses its proprietary cell production technology to manufacture products that are distributed worldwide.

For more information, please visit www.rolanddg.com

Contact

Jill Taylor/Global Graphics
+44 1223 926489

Jill.Taylor@globalgraphics.com

Casio chooses Harlequin for new optional unit for office color printer

Global Graphics’ Harlequin Embedded RIP has been chosen by Casio Computer Co., Ltd ”Casio” to enhance their Japanese office color printer SPEEDIA GE6000 by adding native PostScript^® and PDF support into its new optional unit. Casio is a global company that develops and sells consumer electronics products such as calculators, watches, digital cameras, electronic instruments and system devices such as page printers, and handheld terminals all based on Casio core digital technology. Global Graphics is the developer of the Harlequin^® RIP engine that provides high-performance rendering of page description languages for a wide range of printing devices from single function office printers to the latest generation of high-volume inkjet devices.

Casio plans to enhance the SPEEDIA GE6000, which can print at 38PPM in full color, to meet various market needs by supporting generic PDLs. To do so, Casio decided to implement Harlequin Embedded RIP into GE6000-PSS-FUL (Enhancing PS Full-set) which will be Casio’s new option for SPEEDIA GE6000. Casio chose to license Global Graphics’ color management software, Harlequin ColorPro™, together with roman fonts and roman font emulation. Using the Harlequin Embedded RIP, Casio could add native processing of PostScript^® data with full PostScript^® compatibility and PC-less direct print feature for PDF files.

Yuichi Tezuka, Senior General Manager of System Marketing & Sales Division, of Casio says, “I am very pleased Casio could release new product that incorporates Harlequin Embedded RIP as an enhancement option for Casio color page printer SPEEDIA GE6000. Casio has been considering launching a new printer that supports generic PDL formats to increase product value. Throughout our evaluation of multiple RIPs from multiple suppliers, Casio recognized that the Harlequin RIP is superior to other competitor’s RIPs concerning for appropriate price, technology level, performance, features, market results, and technical support so Casio decided to adopt Harlequin RIP. Casio is very satisfied that we could port the Harlequin RIP into the Casio print controller in a very short period of time”, he continues, “with quick and appropriate Global Graphics technical support without changing hardware architecture at all.” I am hoping that Casio will be able to release future outstanding products by enhancing partnership with Global Graphics.”

Yoshiyuki Hagiwara, the Representative Director of Global Graphics K.K. said, “I am very honored that Global Graphics Harlequin Embedded RIP has been chosen by Casio via very strict comparison of multiple RIPs from multiple competitors to add PostScript^® and PDF handling feature to SPEEDIA GE6000.　We have worked very hard to improve Harlequin Embedded RIP performance by assigning Global Graphics RIP core engineers during the last few years. As a result of this project our RIP performance has improved a lot on resource limited environment than former versions of the RIP. I expect our printing and e-document technologies will be used in wide range of Casio products by enhancing our partnership."

The embedded version of the Harlequin RIP is ported onto the embedded controller inside printing devices. Its architecture gives manufacturer’s flexibility and reduces their development costs and time to market. Manufacturers can license one or any combination of page description languages – PCL 5C, PCL 5e, PCL 6, PS^®, PDF and XPS – add their own or a third party’s color management or screening, have a wide choice of font options, and achieve high-performance even with low resource usage. It supports a wide range of SoCs and development environments.

Editors notes

About Casio
Casio Computer Co., Ltd. is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of consumer electronics products and business equipment solutions. Since its establishment in 1957, Casio has strived to realize its corporate creed of “creativity and contribution” through the introduction of innovative and imaginative products. Today, Casio’s offerings include timepieces, digital cameras, electronic dictionaries, calculators, musical instruments, page printers, handheld terminals, and others.

Contact

Jill Taylor/Global Graphics
+44 1223 926489

Jill.Taylor@globalgraphics.com

Global Graphics and Software Imaging announce cooperation

Global Graphics and Software Imaging announced today that they have signed a cooperation agreement which will allow both companies to offer a broader range of products and services to office printer manufacturers, and software companies working in the Managed Print Services market. Software Imaging provides printer driver technologies to the printer manufacturing and mobile device markets. Global Graphics is the developer of Harlequin® Page Description Language software that is embedded on silicon chips inside devices.

Under the terms of the agreement Software Imaging will recommend Global Graphics’ Harlequin Embedded SDK as its preferred embedded software and Software Imaging will become Global Graphics preferred Printer Driver Partner. Software Imaging will also integrate Global Graphics’ digital document software, which is branded gDoc, with its own PCL and PostScript® components, to provide printer vendors with document solutions within print-focussed applications and workflows.

Justin Bailey, Global Graphics’ VP of sales, says “Our ability to provide office printer manufacturers with a combination of the Harlequin embedded RIP, fonts, since our acquisition of the URW++ font foundry in September, and now printer drivers from Software Imaging is a winning combination of performance and price.

"Software Imaging’s role as a gDoc Services partner will enable us both to meet the needs of software companies working in the Managed Print Services market.”

Peter Lismer, Chief Executive of Software Imaging, says, “I have enjoyed a close association with Global Graphics for 17 years. Both companies have been widely respected for 30 years by their customers for the quality of their technologies and services . Trends in the printer manufacturer market have definitely changed and Justin is quite correct in saying that together we can offer our customers a winning combination of performance and price”.

The embedded version of the Harlequin RIP provides manufacturers with high-performance PDL interpretation and rendering even with only a handful of RAM. Global Graphics licences its software directly to manufacturers of office printing devices to drive their single and multi-function printers, working alongside chip manufacturers such as Marvell. In August 2015 Marvell announced that it had set a new performance standard with over 220 pages per minute PDL rendering on its 64-bit quad-core 88PA6270 using the Harlequin engine.

Software Imaging’s printer drivers are also used on some of the fastest office multi-function printers in the world. In partnership with Global Graphics, the two companies will optimize the performance of their respective technologies to deliver the very best results.

Ends

Editors notes

About Software Imaging
Software Imaging is a developer of advanced software solutions for the printer manufacturing and mobile device markets. Customers include Ricoh, Epson, Riso and Roland DG. We supply all types of printer drivers, but also known for our supply of advanced workflow solutions involving mobile, secure document archiving and cloud based services. Software Imaging is based in Oxford, England with partner offices in Tokyo and Osaka. Additional information is available at http://www.softwareimaging.com.

Software Imaging is a trademark of Software Imaging Limited which may be registered in certain jurisdictions

Contact

Jill Taylor/Global Graphics
+44 1223 926489

Jill.Taylor@globalgraphics.com
Peter Lismer/Software Imaging

 +44 (0)1865 989070

Lewald & Partner joins the Harlequin Partner Network

Lewald & Partner, the Garbsen/Hanover-based developer of software to edit, exchange, manage and impose print PDFs has joined the Harlequin Partner Network, Global Graphics’ partner program that brings together the ecosystem of software developers whose products are designed to work with the Harlequin RIP.

The Harlequin Partner Network formally recognizes the growing community of third-party software developers whose products are used in the same print workflow as the Harlequin RIP or alongside it inside a Digital Front End. There are hundreds of thousands of Harlequin RIP installations worldwide and the Partner Program is designed to maximize the value of the Harlequin RIP to those users. It creates a framework for third-party vendors to develop and integrate their products more efficiently so giving print shops access to a broad workflow of products from multiple vendors.

As a Harlequin Network Partner Lewald & Partner will collaborate with Global Graphics on technical and marketing activities. Jens Lewald, L & P Chief Technology Officer and his team are delighted about the partnership and to present the Harlequin RIP to a German audience. “The collaboration between Global Graphics and Lewald & Partner will allow us to seamlessly integrate any number of Harlequin RIPs to a RIP farm cluster. We will be able to provide a fully fledged workflow from a single page to CTP. Our customers will be able to increase their productivity as well as decrease their errors due to fully automated processing.“

Martin Bailey, Global Graphics Chief Technology Officer who leads the partnership programme, comments “The Harlequin Partner Network is all about building a cooperative environment for the many companies who develop solutions that work with the Harlequin RIP. Sharing product roadmaps and marketing information are compelling reasons to join and enable partners to be better prepared to offer services to the extensive Harlequin installed base worldwide.”

Members of the Harlequin Partner Network include Pageflex, Color-Logic, Ultimate TechnoGraphics, Hamillroad Software, Bodoni Systems, Dynagram, Alwan and abgraph and covers vendors of products used in newsprint and publishing, direct mail, packaging and wide format graphics.

Companies who wish to join the Harlequin Partner Network can do so by visiting the website at www.globalgraphics.com/harlequin-partner-network, or by contacting Martin Bailey at martin.bailey@globalgraphics.com

Print shops using Harlequin technology – there are estimated to be hundreds of thousands of active installations world-wide – can look up which technology is complementary to their RIP from the list of partners and their products on the Global Graphics website.

Editors notes

About Lewald & Partner
Lewald & Partner’s software solutions support agencies, publishers and print shops to realize their print jobs quickly and at their best. As a longtime retailer for print- and media industry Lewald & Partner provides IT-systems and IT-protection, color management and proofing systems as well as print equipment such as ink, paper and further print accessories. Lewald & Partner customer base consists of local and national offset and digital print shops, commercial agencies as well as graphic and print industry businesses. Since establishment of Lewald & Partner in 1994 more than 1000 companies trust continuously our expertise. Lewald & Partner is located in Garbsen / Germany, near Hannover. http://www.lundp.de/en/

About Global Graphics
Global Graphics (Euronext: GLOG) is a leading developer of software platforms on which partners create solutions for digital printing, digital document and PDF applications. Customers include HP, Corel, Quark, Kodak and Agfa. The roots of the company go back to 1986 and to Cambridge University, and, today the majority of the R&D team is still based near this iconic university town. There are also offices near Boston, Massachusetts and in Tokyo. Additional information is available at http://www.globalgraphics.com.

Global Graphics is a trademark of Global Graphics S.E. which may be registered in certain jurisdictions. All other brand and product names are the registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective owners

Contact

Jill Taylor/Global Graphics

+44 1223 926489

Jill.Taylor@globalgraphics.com
Ms Katja Mathan/Lewald and Partners

+49-5131-49 32-20

presse@lundp.de