1990 – 2000: From analogue to digital

Whereas in the first half of the decade more sophisticated filmsetters take over from the early phototypesetters, the second half of the decade is charaterised by the shift from analogue to digital technologies. A number of acquisitions make Agfa the leader in the graphic prepress industry.

The beginning of the nineteen nineties signifies the breakthrough of digital desktop publishing (DTP), with the development of PostScript, a programming language which describes what a lay-outed page should look like, and which handles graphics and computer data in a uniform, consistent manner across all input/output interfaces. In 1988, Agfa and Adobe sign a license agreement for the use of PostScript. The ability of Postscript to compete with traditional typesetting is the key to have an impact on high-end commercial printing.

Whereas early phototypesetters handled only text, more sophisticated filmsetters are introduced in the early part of the decade that can output a variety of input onto film. One of Agfa's first imagesetters, incorporating PostScript, is the CG 9400 PS.

The shift to digital technology

In 1993, the first CtP plate, :Lithostar, is introduced to the market by Agfa. As from the mid-nineties, computer-to-plate systems start to rise, with one computer-to-plate-system replacing up to four computer-to-film systems. This evolution happens a lot faster than expected, certainly in Europe. The shift to computer-to-plate also results in prepress suppliers focusing on a number of new opportunities, such as database management and internet services. Direct digital printing becomes possible for short runlenghts, e.g. posters.

The acquisition of Hoechst's printing plate and proofing business in 1996 and DuPont's graphic film and offset printing plates division in 1998 make Agfa the undisputed number 1 in the graphic prepress industry.

In 1999, the Agfa shares are introduced on the stock markets of Brussels and Frankfurt.