The sole New Zealand exhibitor at drupa 2004 will be the fast-growing proofing specialist, Gimlé, creator of AbsoluteProof. Its presence will be especially important as it is one of only a handful of companies that has been included in the exclusive Software Innovation Parc at drupa.
AbsoluteProof’s rapid rise to the world’s biggest stage began in 1998, when the company was first established, although the first product was not released until after drupa 2000.
It has been a whirlwind four years since the product first hit the market. It has gathered prestige and worldwide presence at a rapid rate. It is now distributed in 17 countries, with more being added all the time, says managing director Hugo Kristinsson.
The company has partnered with heavy hitters like Pantone, Epson, Roland, HP, Canon, Gretag Macbeth and Apple, all of which have embraced its products. Just last year, Epson elevated AbsoluteProof to its top software developer category for its printer products. As a result, AbsoluteProof proofs will be output on the brand new Epson 4000 at drupa.
Simply getting people to see the products is the aim at drupa: "Market awareness is the most important thing for us," Kristinsson says. "We want to make the printing and packaging industries aware of our capabilities."
The AbsoluteProof product portfolio is made up of AbsoluteProof Designer, AbsoluteProof Prepress and AbsoluteProof Hexachrome.
The AbsoluteProof Hexachrome product is unique as it is capable of simulating a Hexachrome press using an ICC profile on inkjet proofing devices, the only product in the world to do so. This innovation was one of the keys to the company’s admission to the drupa Software Innovation Parc, a gathering of smaller, young and creative companies with innovative product breakthroughs.
At drupa, AbsoluteProof will be outputting some of the real life jobs that have been making an impact in the Asian region, producing proofs for the Asia-Pacific’s biggest packaging company, Kian Joo. The Malaysian-based company recently selected AbsoluteProof Hexachrome as the only product capable of digitally proofing its Hexachrome workflow.
The solution sees AbsoluteProof outputting Kian Joo’s files to a Roland Hexachrome proofing device and has cut Kian Joo’s proofing times from two days to 30 minutes. In addition, it has freed up the $2 million presses that were previously the only viable proofing method.
At drupa, AbsoluteProof will be looking to further develop its worldwide presence. The company already has a strong dealer network in Asia and North America, but will be looking to add more distributors in Europe.
Other exciting developments await the company this year, with its participation in a proofing shootout at the IPA Colour Proofing Roundup in Chicago in June pitting it against the biggest names in proofing.
