Electronics for Imaging (EFI) has launched two new-generation Fiery controllers for mid-range and high-end digital printing.

EFI chief executive Guy Gecht said the Fiery Z5 and Z18 were "our best, most powerful Fiery platforms ever".

He added that the new devices gave "printing professionals the power to perform their most demanding colour print jobs".

Fiery Z5 is aimed at the mid-range colour market and combines an 866MHz processor with enhanced features such as accelerated set-up, connectivity to all popular networks and the ability to e-mail jobs directly to the Fiery.

An optional colour profiler kit is available, which comprises profile creation software and an EFI Spectrometer enabling the addition of customisable colour profiles.

Fiery Z18, for the top end of the market, uses a 1GHz processor and includes features such as customisable trim and fold marks, the latest generation DocBuilder Pro Software, a variable data solution and EFIs ColorWise 3.0 software (also available on the Z5).

Both the Z5 and the Z18 have been designed to take advantage of EFIs upcoming Fiery Graphic Arts Package, a suite of software applications with "specialised tools" for the graphic arts market.

Key features of the package include: halftone screening capabilities; support for TIFF/IT and DCS 2.0 files; Hot Folders to automate the process for multiple jobs; soft proofing; auto-trapping; Spot On colour technology for editing custom spot colours; unlimited plate separation; and paper simulation.

The new controllers are currently available through all EFIs OEMs.

Story by Lauretta Roberts