Fremont, California-based wide-format printer manufacturer and workflow software developer EFI announces that it has partnered with printer manufacturer Agfa Graphics to develop an integration between EFI Fiery digital front ends and Agfa's latest Apogee 10 system. The companies say the integration will enable joint customers to increase digital printing productivity and profits.

An announcement touting the partnership says that while many printing companies use digital presses to cost effectively meet increasing demand for short runs, fast turnaround, and value-added services, many digital presses do not efficiently integrate into offset workflows. Agfa Graphics and EFI deliver one of the most advanced hybrid print workflows available in the commercial market, taking advantage of the strengths of both traditional offset and Fiery Driven digital presses.

“With this integration, existing Agfa Apogee users, including users of the latest Apogee 10 system, will be able to take advantage of hybrid offset/digital workflows,” says Andy Grant, head of software at Agfa Graphics. “Through certified, industry standard JDF connectivity, Apogee users can select from the wide choice of Fiery Driven digital presses to establish easy and quick ways to direct jobs to the most appropriate print devices for the best production scenario.”