Httprint has opened its first office on mainland Europe in a bid to take advantage of continental printers sophisticated communications infrastructure.


The new office, at Ahaus in Germany, brings the companys total sites to 12, with the European headquarters at Milton Keynes.


Httprint europe managing director Barry Hibbert said: "Its pretty standard for a German printer to use the internet and ISDN lines. UK printers have been a bit slower to catch on to the technologies out there. Their opinion of dotcoms was tainted last year."


Country manager Wolfgang Toespern, who has over 30 years experience in the German print industry at Axel Springer, Gruner & Jahr and the European Rotogravure Association, will run the office.


At the opening httprint demonstrated its internet colour management module, which includes remote monitor calibration, remote proofing and pre-flight checking and file quality control (PrintWeek, 11 May).


The module has been developed in conjunction with GretagMacbeth, Markzware and RIP software specialist Best Color.


Httprint is also in talks with KBA and Fiat about the software. It has its UK beta site at Stockle Colour Printers in Bradford.


"We calibrate to the same footprint of the press, so whats seen on the screen and press is as close as you can get. Our tests show that its 97% accurate the other 3% is accounted for by substrate variations," said Hibbert.


Story by John Davies