Anaheim, CA, February 13, 2007 -- New affordable ink-jet marking/coding systems to meet a range of packaging applications – from basic 1- and 2-line case coding to high-resolution logos, graphics and scannable bar codes – are being demonstrated by Matthews Marking Products in booth #5675 at WestPack 2007at the Anaheim Convention Center.

Matthews Marking Products’ new IP 7000 high-resolution inkjet marking system prints up to 32 lines of alphanumeric text, logos, scannable barcodes or other high-quality graphics at 200 dpi horizontal/187 dpi vertical at line speeds up to 1.4 m (4.6 ft.) per second and will be demonstrated at WestPack 2007in booth #5675.

The company has just introduced marking systems at both ends of the spectrum: the economical I-Mark™ SX-7 or SX-16 for basic - or 2-line water-based alphanumeric marking on porous materials, such as corrugated cardboard; and the high-resolution IP 7000 system for printing up to 32 lines of alphanumeric characters, logos, and graphics on one or two sides of porous surfaces at resolutions up to 200 dpi horizontal/187 dpi vertical, operating at line speeds up to 4.6 ft. (1.4 m) per second. The new high-resolution systems virtually eliminate the need for costly labels on cartons/cases.

New I-Mark™ SX-7 and SX-16 for simple, affordable case/tray coding
The new compact, user-friendly SX-7 (1-line printing) and SX-16 (2-line) are Matthews most economical marking systems, priced at less than 25% of the cost of previously available Matthews printers and ideal for packagers needing a basic marking system. Economy is coupled with reliability in the SX family, which uses the company’s proprietary Drop-on-Demand (DOD) valve inkjet technology, capable of operating in challenging environments.

The new SX-7/16 offers more memory than competing entry-level carton marking systems. Easy to install and set up, the SX- 7/16 systems have controller, printhead and ink system integrated into one compact unit that simply plugs in. An icon-based menu and hot keys make the system easy to operate. The pressurized ink using Matthews X-370 water-based ink eliminates the need for an external ink pump.

New low-maintenance, high-resolution IP 7000 eliminates need for labels
The just-introduced IP 7000 inkjet system for printing text, logos, graphics and bar codes on one or two sides of cartons/trays offers a combination of high print quality, exceptionally low ink consumption (as little as 2% of what DOD systems use to print the same information) and minimal maintenance requirements.

The new system saves on both costs and time: the printing controllers use a repairable print engine from Trident, while Matthews rugged printheads need no filter change, recalibration or flushing when the system is shut down.

The IP 7000 is PC-based and network-ready, providing maximum ease in editing print messages -- up to 32 lines of text, fancy graphics and scannable barcodes. With 100 mm printheads, the IP 7000 can print characters/graphics as tall as 3.94 in. (among the highest print height in the industry). Software informs users how many times a particular message can be printed with one 500 cc ink bottle – making it easy to modify the print message so that either print quality or ink savings are maximized.

For more information on the complete range of Matthews Marking Products or the company’s exhibit at WestPack 2007, contact Michelle Spaulding, Matthews Marking Products, 6515 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15206. Telephone (412) 665-2488, fax (412) 365-2042, website: www.matthewsmarking.com . Matthews Marking Products is a division of the Brand Solutions group of Matthews International Corporation.