NEWS RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

2nd February, 2006

HAMILLROAD SOFTWARE APPOINTS COMPOSE SYSTEMS AS MAIN DISTRIBUTOR OF FIRSTPROOF

Hamillroad Software, the world leader in Pre-Press Soft-Proofing Systems for Harlequin1 RIPs and TIFF2 based workflows, is pleased to announce the appointment of Compose System as the global Main Distributor of Hamillroad's latest FirstPROOFT soft-proofing solution.

This new agreement with Compose Systems opens up significant market opportunities for Hamillroad Software." said Andy Cave, CEO of Hamillroad Software Limited. "Compose Systems has a reputation for marketing and supporting innovative pre-press solutions. Through their extensive dealer channel the benefits of FirstPROOF can now be enjoyed by a much wider customer group".

"We are pleased to be appointed as the Main Distributor of Hamillroad's FirstPROOF solution. The latest FirstPROOF v3.1 provides invaluable productivity benefits to its users. It's powerful functions, whether on a standalone basis or as part of Compose's integrated Express Workflow solution, are indispensable to the modern computer-to-plate production environment" said Tom Sit, CEO of Compose System.  "We are delighted to add FirstPROOF to our comprehensive range of pre-press focused workflow and digital proofing products. FirstPROOF will complement our hard-copy color proofing solution Start Proof".

FirstPROOF will be featured in Compose's stand at the Graphics of the Americas Trade Show at Miami Beach Convention Center, Miami, Florida, USA (February 3-5, 2006) and at IPEX 2006 at the NEC, Birmingham, UK (April 4-11, 2006).

About FirstPROOF  

FirstPROOF is a powerful soft-proofing solution for today's digital pre-press environment. The latest FirstPROOF v3.X is the most significant release of FirstPROOF since it was first launched in 2002. This new release has added over forty new tools and features to its already extensive functions and capabilities. FirstPROOF gives users a unique set of powerful proofing and correction tools which enable the identification of job errors prior to imaging, saving users invaluable time and costs.

Key features:

  • Allows users to view and approve output prior to imaging.
  • Secure site and user accounts to control what users can view, output and delete.
  • High performance - substantially improved viewing and down-sampling speed.
  • Substantial tool set for checking traps, screens, moire, TAC and min dot (valuable for flexo) amongst others.
  • Ability to print what is being viewed to any network accessible printers.
  • Printing separations, progressives and composites and all the enabled tools can be printed.
  • Hard-copy content proofs can be produced for sign-off and as reference to the pressman for the print jobs.

    Notes to the Editor

    About Hamillroad Software:

    Hamillroad Software (www.hamillroad.com) is an innovative software product company. The company has substantial experience in the graphics and printing industry, boasting amongst its founding directors Andy Cave, the ex Chief Designer of the Harlequin RIP and former founding member of Harlequin Limited. Andy was for over 12 years the Chief Designer at Harlequin where he was responsible for the design and development of the Harlequin RIP. Drawing on the industry and software development expertise of the founders, Hamillroad Software is able to lead the soft-proofing market with its powerful FirstPROOF product. FirstPROOF is designed to maximise the productivity and user benefits of today's pre-press workflows and digital RIPs.

    About Compose Systems:

    Founded in 1987, Compose Systems (www.compose.com.hk), a leading Harlequin OEM, is an established developer of pre-press workflow and digital color proofing solutions. Compose has offices in Hong Kong, China, North America and the United Kingdom. Its solutions are centered on the professional  Express Workflowsystems. Compose's comprehensive range of high performance and versatile products include NewsFlow, PDF-Imposition and Star Proof. These products are sold and supported through a strong network of dealers spanning over five continents.

    For further information, please contact:

    For Hamillroad Software: Andy Cave (CEO)
    Tel: +44 1223 236 272. Email: andy.cave@hamillroad.com
    For Compose Systems - General and European Enquiries: Steve Donegan
    Tel: +44 1474 700 504. Email: steve.donegan@compose.co.uk

    For Compose Systems - Americas: Daniel McAvoy
    Tel: +1 916 920 3838. Email: dan@composeusa.com
    For Compose Systems - Rest of the World: Tom Sit (CEO).
    Tel: +852 2811 4228. Email: tomsit@compose.com.hk

    ENDS

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    (1) Harlequin is a trademark of Global Graphics Software Limited. (2) TIFF is a trademark of Adobe Systems Inc.
    Express Workflow, Newsflow and PDF-Imposition are registered trademarks of Compose System Ltd.
    FirstPROOF is a trademark of Hamillroad Software. All other names are trademarks of their respective owners.