Xitron, the leading independent developer of RIP
and workflow products for commercial, digital, and high-speed inkjet printing
has announced an agreement with Global Graphics Software, developer of the
Harlequin RIP and parent company to RTI-RIPs.com. On January 2, 2018, Xitron
acquired the Computer-to-Plate and Computer-to-Film RIP business of RTI.
Prior to the agreement, RTI sold and supported
Harlequin RIPs through their website, mostly to print providers in North
America. Xitron will now be responsible for all new Harlequin RIP sales, as
well as upgrades for existing RTI RIPs in the commercial offset and flexo
market segments. In turn, RTI’s focus will shift to light production printing
applications, screen printing, and direct digital markets.
“Xitron and RTI have existed in the same vertical
space together for years, with RTI selling Xitron interfaces as part of their
Harlequin RIP kits,” said Karen Crews, president of Xitron. “This agreement
reinforces our commitment to supplying these markets with productive,
economical RIP and workflow products well into the future.”
The accord comes as many print providers find
themselves in transition between traditional printing processes and digital
alternatives such as high-speed inkjet and other digital press technologies. As
printers migrate toward these new alternatives, continuity of workflow and
operator familiarity become important keys to a successful transition.
“This is an area where Xitron continues to excel,”
said Jeffrey Piestrak, Xitron product manager. “RTI’s computer-to-plate
customers will find Xitron’s Navigator workflow driving many of the digital
presses currently enjoying success in the inkjet market. Since that same
workflow can be configured to drive their CTP engines, RTI RIP customers will
find themselves in an excellent position for transition with little additional
cost.”
According to Ms. Crews, Xitron will continue to
pursue development paths for traditional prepress RIP and workflow products, as
well as high-speed inkjet and other digital press applications. “There’s no
question that digital technologies get the lion’s share of attention in print
media today,” she says. “However, there are thousands of printers in the
commercial and flexo markets who still need our help with conventional prepress
technology.”
