DURST Theta 76 Printer

The DURST Theta 76 Printer is available in two options:

• Theta 76-features a high-speed LED imager with wheel mounted daylight-loading paper cassette, an integral RA-4 paper processor, and comes complete with a workstation controller.

• Theta 76 CS-has all the features of the Theta 76, but with the addition of an in-line X-Y automatic cutter and sorter unit for rapid print finishing.

eatures Online Ordering Program, Built-In Densitometer, On-Board Spectrophotometer.

LAS VEGAS, March 8, 2007 - Durst Image Technology U.S., llc today introduced a "total imaging solution" built around the company's highly regarded Theta 76 "Large-Format Minilabs." It features the new Durst ThetaWeb - a comprehensive, fully automatic online ordering program - as well as a built-in densitometer, and an on-board spectrophotometer that creates "self-made" ICC profiles. This solution, which integrates all of the essential tools of image management and creation into a very efficient Theta 76 workflow, is on display at the Photo Marketing Association trade show here in Durst Booth A221.

"Durst has developed a reputation for providing regular upgrades to its imaging systems, in order to protect and extend our customers' capital investments, and expand their capabilities as their operations expand," said A. Ron Waters, President and CEO of Durst U.S. "The introduction of ThetaWeb as well as the addition of some important image-management tools to our Theta 76 platform helps the photo lab or photo retailer improve their customer contact, their image quality, their production workflow and, as a result, their business peformance."

ThetaWeb
Durst's new ThetaWeb online ordering system, developed in conjunction with Frontline Systems AB, is a comprehensive, fully automatic online ordering program that lets customers upload their images and place orders directly to the retailer or lab - from any computer, at any time, Durst said. Also, Theta 76 imagers (except Theta 76R) now come with an on-board spectrophotometer, developed in conjunction with Barbieri Electronics SNC, that makes it very easy to achieve high-quality prints by automatically creating accurate ICC profiles and performing other critical image management tasks. The result: on-site processing and printing with more complete performance, but in fewer steps.

Theta 76 'Large-Format Minilabs'
One of the most versatile, affordable digital photo printers ever built is now available in four configurations - emphasizing variety in color output; speed and productivity; "true" black & white output; and efficient, economical printing. The Durst Theta 76 30-Inch Multi-Format Lab System, featuring an in-line processor and Durst's proprietary fiberoptic LED technology, is best described as a "large-format minilab" that creates high-quality prints from 3.5x5 inches all the way up to 30 inches by 13 feet long. It satisfies a wide range of imaging demands at previously unattainable productivity levels, all with laser-like image sharpness, Durst said.

Models in the Theta 76 family include the standard Theta 76 for a wide range of color-process output, the high-speed Theta 76HS, the Theta 76BW for exceptional black & white images, and the Theta 76R roll printer - blending Theta productivity with the reliability and image quality of the highly regarded Durst Epsilon printer that it replaces. Theta 76 imagers are the only printers of their kind with variable back printing for individual images as well as per-print within a nested file, Durst said. The company is exhibiting the Theta 76HS and Theta 76BW at PMA, both with the solution components that create a much more efficient, greatly simplified workflow-at-retail.

Pricing and other product information is available at Durst's PMA Booth (A221), by calling Durst at 1-888-480-3588, or by e-mailing Durst at info@durstus.com.

About Durst
Durst Phototechnik AG is a leading manufacturer of digital imaging systems for graphic, pre-press, signage, commercial/retail display, packaging, industrial and photographic applications. Headquartered in Brixen, Italy, the company operates manufacturing facilities in Brixen and Lienz, Austria; has major offices in the U.S., France, United Kingdom, Germany and Mexico; and partners with exclusive agents in 120 countries. Durst's reputation for quality, precision and reliability spans more than 70 years.

Durst Image Technology U.S., llc, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Durst Phototechnik Group, is the exclusive distributor and service provider for all Durst professional digital imaging equipment in the United States and Canada. Durst's professional imaging products include the renowned Lambda laser imagers, Rho large-format UV inkjet printers, Theta roll-to-cut print photo imagers, Sigma high-speed film scanners, photo album creation systems, and other products.

urst 30" Theta 76 Imager Chosen To Produce Exacting Target Prints For DIMA Digital Printer Shoot-Out

'Much Tighter Image and ... Much Faster Process This Time,' Allied Photo Says

LAS VEGAS, March 3, 2009 - The DIMA Digital Printer Shoot-Out winners announced today at the Photo Marketing Association trade show were honored for producing the highest quality and most accurate photographic images.  But what imager was used to produce those exacting target file prints that the DIMA Digital Printer Shoot-Out competitors were required to recreate?

It was the Durst Theta 76 30-Inch Multi-Format Lab System - with more than 1,200 installs worldwide and itself a previous Shoot-Out winner.  Allied Photographic & Imaging of Grand Rapids, Mich., once again was given the job of producing prints of the target files for DIMA Digital Printer Shoot-Out entrants.  But this year Allied fulfilled the job on a Theta 76, which it installed in June 2008 as part of an expansion of its business, Allied Vice President Toren Prawdzik said.

"The DIMA people were very happy this year," said Prawdzik, whose lab has been awarded the job of producing the prints for the DIMA Digital Printer Shoot-Out the last two years.  "They got a much tighter image, and it was a much faster process this time around."

The challenge for DIMA is to provide prints that are accurate, objective representations of the target file.  For each entrant's print, according to DIMA's web site, color patches are quantitatively measured and scored.  Qualitative criteria also is used in judging:  neutral gray balance reproduction, saturation, shadow detail and quality, overall tonality and detail, highlights and specular highlights, flesh tones, hue shift, and text.  So the target file prints must provide entrants with the "perfect" reference point on a range of critical measures.  As you might expect, Prawdzik said, the process can be laborious and time consuming.

But this time, it wasn't.  "We used to do this on another printer and it took four to five days.  But the Theta did it much faster - we tied it up for only two days," he said.  "The time comes in because the prints require such tight tolerances.  But the Theta calibrated tight and stayed tight.  We did our normal calibration in the morning and that was it.  And we're talking about a couple thousand prints."  The process was monitored by technicians from X-Rite Corporation, a leader in color science and technology which also owns Pantone Inc.

The Theta 76 "large-format minilab" prints digital images from 2.5 feet by 13 feet down to 2-up wallets, at standard minilab productivity levels.  It is an excellent choice for the photo retailer who wants to offer higher-margin panoramics, metallic prints and restorations, as well as for the professional lab looking for versatile photo output and "back-up" during peak production times.  The Theta 76 comes in several configurations - including High Speed and Black & White - and features an on-board processor, sophisticated auto-nesting capability, auto-inline cut and sort, and true variable back printing.  There are more than 1,400 of the Theta family of digital imagers installed and in use worldwide.

"The exceptional image quality, versatility and workflow of Durst's photo printers is widely known, and the choice of the Theta 76 to produce the DIMA Digital Printer Shoot-Out target prints is an excellent application for its capabilities," said Christopher Howard, Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Durst U.S.  "We're very pleased to be involved in the photo industry's benchmark event for image quality, and we'd like to thank Toren at Allied Photo for his decision to bring the Theta 76 into his operation."