New Workflow Software from Xitron – K2

Xitron has a long history of great products, with their Navigator (Harlequin) RIP software. They have been a leader of the entry level to mid-range commercial printer market, providing interfaces for just about any platesetter. Proven products, excellent support and not too expensive.

Xitron is in a very interesting position, just over 5 years ago they were purchased by Global Graphics who owns many other related companies, including ColorLogic, IC3D and others, under the Hybrid Software umbrella. This enables them to utilize any/all technologies from these other companies.

We just visited Xitron HQ in Ann Arbor Michigan for certification training on their new K2 workflow software. K2 provides PDF compositing, PDF Preflighting (with support for Enfocus PPP’s), Trapping, seamless integration of Ultimate Impostrip Imposition, along with direct connectivity to many platesetters or high-res TIFF output. This is version 1 of K2 and it’s already very powerful, affordable and easy to learn and use.

For this Color Geeks out there, right now there is no color management functionality in K2. There is color management in their underlying Navigator RIP, where you can add G7/plate curves and do ICC transforms (with the ColorPro option). But, in version 2 they’re planning on adding a Color Conversion action in K2 which will integrate the amazing color server technology from sister company, ColorLogic. This is really significant, especially considering other more expensive platesetter RIP’s don’t offer anything comparable.

Many of you may have heard that Fuji has discontinued their platesetter RIP (Fuji XMF), so all of these folks are going to be shopping for a replacement. The offerings from the other 2 mega-corporations are considerable more money, with expensive annual support contracts or available via subscription only. If you’re currently using Fuji XMF or any other platesetter RIP that’s aging or you’re not happy with, Xitron has a killer solution for you that won’t break the bank.

Many thanks to our friends and partners at Xitron for hosting us. We’re happy Alder Color Solutions and Great Western Ink were the first dealers in the US to be invited for training and certified in K2. We look forward to selling and implementing a whole lot of K2!

Reach out to us at [email protected] for more information or a demo of Xitron K2.