Buying the graphic arts division of the remote proofing specialist will expand its own remote proofing portfolio, which is just one of the areas it is focusing on at Drupa. It is expanding its own soft proofing system Matchprint Virtual with a Press Side Proofing system, an Apple G5-based system with a soft proof of the printed sheet on an LCD monitor designed to be viewed at the press.

Its first commercially available processless plate will also be a highlight of the show.

KPG Thermal Direct Non Process Plate is a wet offset plate with a non-ablative develop on press (DOP) coating. It is designed for exposure on conventional platesetter with extraction, it is about half the speed of developed plates, with an expected productivity of 10-12 B2 plates per hour (figures based on the Screen PlateRite 4100).

KPG is positioning processless as a mainstream technology. Chief executive Jeff Jacobson said he felt that its success could change the position of violet CTP.

Despite retaining its thermal only stance Jacobson admitted the firm was looking at the technology.

He said: Do we have a commercial plate? No. Are we looking at it? No. We still believe thermal gives the best overall solution to KPG customers. But as new customers enter the CTP market we may need to change. Smart companies react to their markets.

Other plate developments at the show will be Sword Ultra plate. This positive working plate can run in the same chemistry as Electra Excel and can handle UV inks and run lengths up to 200,000 unbaked.

ThermalNews Gold is a new newspaper plate offering higher speed and higher resolution. It will also have a flexo CTP technology demonstration, building on its recently introduced solvent flexo plate.

It is expanding its deal with Exanet to cover Europe, allowing it to offer customers Exanet's digital storage products.