Roland Announces New VersaWorks 4.8 RIP Software, Featuring a Built-In PANTONE^® Library and Other Advanced Color Management Tools

Free Upgrade for Existing Owners of Roland Inkjet Printers and Printer/Cutters

Hamamatsu, Japan, November 27, 2012 – Roland DG Corporation has announced VersaWorks Version 4.8, a full featured easy-to-use RIP software package developed exclusively for the company's wide-format inkjet printers and printer/cutters.

With the new version of VersaWorks, Roland has added a total of six libraries from the PANTONE PLUS and Goe™ product lines, valuable design and production tools for high-end graphics and any application where precise color matching is vital. These libraries allow users to automatically convert a specific PANTONE spot color in the design file to a CMYK value that can be reproduced on a Roland inkjet device. This simplified workflow significantly reduces the amount of time required for color matching and enables quick output of specific colors when working with properly profiled media.

Roland's latest version of VersaWorks also features a new spot color replacement feature which allows users to replace a defined spot color in the design file with another from any VersaWorks library, all without reopening the source file. With VersaWorks, users have access to 16 spot color libraries, including the new PANTONE libraries and the Roland Color System, Roland's own spot color matching solution featuring more than 1,500 traditional and metallic hues. Users can also replace the spot colors in their designs with white and clear ink options supported by several Roland inkjets.

"As a leader in the wide-format printing industry, Roland provides versatile production tools for some of the world's most creative businesses," said Andrew Hatkoff, vice president of technology licensing and business development. "We are pleased to partner with Roland to bring all the advantages of PANTONE spot color matching to these businesses. As the standard for the design and graphics industry, PANTONE provides end users with complete creative flexibility, precision color matching and enhanced imaging across the applications driving their businesses."

"With Version 4.8, we have enhanced VersaWorks with new breakthrough color management features," said Kevin Shigenoya, Roland DG Global sales executive officer for Roland DG Corporation. "We are proud to offer our first built-in PANTONE libraries, making spot color matching even easier and more accurate. As our own bundled RIP software, VersaWorks brings this innovative new capability – and many other advanced VersaWorks features – directly to our customers, free of charge, in an easy-to-use, fully integrated solution."

The top choice of durable graphics professionals worldwide, Roland inkjet printers and printer/cutters are ideal production tools for signs, banners, vehicle wraps, custom apparel, packaging prototypes, labels, decals and POP displays. Based on the latest Adobe CPSI 3019 engine, VersaWorks 4.8 RIP software works seamlessly with all Roland inkjets and is compatible with Windows 7, Vista and XP operating systems. VersaWorks supports a total of 13 languages including English, Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish and also now includes Russian, Turkish and Arabic with version 4.8.

In addition to shipping with all new models, VersaWorks 4.8 is available to existing Roland inkjet customers free of charge through an Internet connection using the Roland@NET service.

Other valuable VersaWorks features include a range of print options that allow users to meet the demands of each job. Users can choose from high-speed mode for production banner printing, the MAX Impact preset for vivid outdoor graphics and Artistic mode for exceptional indoor graphics. VersaWorks also features variable data printing, supports up to four Roland devices simultaneously, and offers support for Roland's GX series cutters. Embedded ICC profile support, ink level adjustment tools, soft proofing capabilities, and advanced cropping, tiling and nesting options are available as well. For flawless unattended printing, a predictive ink calculator allows users to estimate the amount of ink needed for each job.

Roland DG Corporation (TSE symbol 6789) - First Section, Tokyo Stock Exchange
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