German company SDV produces the software and was looking for a UK partner after Essex-based direct mail printer Bridge Communications bought the product earlier this year (PrintWeek, 3 March).

According to NCS group managing director Roger Stockdale, the deal came about after he read about the product in PrintWeek. He promptly made an initial approach to SDV.

"We have never had more software products than we have now," Stockdale said. "There is a big market for this kind of product and with our line-up we intend to add value to digital print."

The contract with SDV was signed last Friday (15 April) and Stockdale added that there are "a lot of Xerox customers interested" in DirecType.

The software is a rival to Direct Smile, which has a tie up with Hewlett-Packard. DirecType can be tailored to digital press manufacturers including Xerox, Xeikon, Oc, NexPress and HP.

NCS is also exhibiting products from EFI and gives a debut to image creation workflow software HumanEyes 3D at Northprint (currently running in Harrogate). The product, uses standard digital cameras and presses as well as mainstream printers, to produce 3D images and other lenticular effects.

"It delivers the benefits of advanced 3D without the limitations and additional equipment," said NCS group sales director Tony Newton. "Everything that can be done in 2D can now be done with HumanEyes."

The additions to the distributor's portfolio are a welcome boost following the end of its dealer contract with Creo last summer (PrintWeek, 11 August). Since then the company signed a dealership agreement with Screen and extended its product range to cover all CTP from B3 to VLF.

Story by Philip Chadwick