Scitex

Scitex. It was a pioneering Israeli corporation that became a global leader in the development of digital prepress and color electronic prepress systems (CEPS) technology. Founded by visionary entrepreneur Efraim Arazi, the company revolutionized the graphic arts industry by transitioning traditional phototypesetting and photo-mechanical processes to computer-based workflows. Its innovative hardware and software solutions dominated the publishing and commercial printing markets for decades, profoundly influencing the evolution of digital printing and computer graphics.

History

The company was established in 1968 in Herzliya by Efraim Arazi, a former Israeli Defense Forces officer and MIT graduate. Initially named Scientific Technology Ltd., it focused on developing advanced electronic imaging systems for the military and intelligence community, including equipment for the Israeli Air Force. A pivotal shift occurred in the early 1970s when Arazi identified a commercial opportunity in the graphic arts industry, leading to the creation of the Response system, one of the first digital color correction systems. This move positioned the firm at the forefront of the digital prepress revolution, and by the 1980s, it had become a NASDAQ-listed powerhouse, challenging established American and European competitors like Hell GmbH and Crossfield Electronics. Throughout the 1990s, it expanded aggressively through acquisitions, including Iris Graphics and the printing systems division of DuPont, before merging with Creo Products in 2000 to form CreoScitex.

Products and technology

The corporation's core innovation was its proprietary CEPS platforms, such as the Series 2000 and Visionary systems, which integrated color scanners, dedicated workstations, and high-resolution output devices into a complete, closed ecosystem. These systems enabled the electronic page assembly and color separation of complex materials like magazines and catalogs with unprecedented speed and quality. Key hardware products included the Dolev series of imagesetters and the Iris line of digital proofers, which became industry standards. Its software advancements were equally significant, with developments in RIP technology, computer-to-plate systems, and the pioneering Brisque workflow, which helped transition the industry toward open systems and standardized formats like PostScript and PDF.

Corporate affairs

As a flagship of Israel's high-tech sector, it maintained its headquarters in Herzliya and operated major manufacturing and R&D facilities globally. The company's growth was fueled by strategic acquisitions; the purchase of Iris Graphics in 1993 solidified its position in digital proofing, while the 1998 acquisition from DuPont brought critical computer-to-plate technology. Its merger with Canadian firm Creo Products in 2000, valued at nearly one billion U.S. dollars, created CreoScitex, aiming to dominate the digital printing market. Following this merger, various assets were later divested to or integrated into other industry giants, with Kodak acquiring the Creo business and HP incorporating the Indigo digital press technology, which had roots in the company's earlier investments and partnerships.

Legacy and impact

The firm's legacy is deeply embedded in the modern printing industry, having been instrumental in the shift from analog to digital production. Its technologies democratized high-quality color printing, accelerating the growth of desktop publishing and influencing adjacent fields like computer graphics and digital photography. Many of its pioneering engineers and executives, often called "Scitex alumni", went on to found or lead other successful Israeli technology companies, contributing to the region's reputation as "Silicon Wadi". The dissolution of its independent identity through the Creo merger and subsequent acquisitions by Kodak and HP marked the end of an era, but its foundational innovations continue to underpin workflows in commercial printing, packaging, and publishing worldwide.

Category:Companies established in 1968 Category:Defunct companies of Israel Category:Printing companies