Esko Acquires Stonecube

GENT, Belgium—Esko announced it has completed the acquisition of Stonecube Ltd., a leading developer of print visualization software, for an undisclosed amount. At the same time the two companies announce Esko Visualizer, the first product resulting from their joint development efforts.

Founded in January 2002 and located near Bristol, U.K., Stonecube has been developing innovative, interactive 3D software applications for photorealistic and interactive visualization of special inks and finishes in print applications. The technology shows the resulting effects from various paper grades and other substrates, all kinds of inks including metallics, and decorative finishes such as varnishes, foils, embossing, glitter and flitter. Target applications include high value-added printing such as book and CD covers, greeting cards, and of course packaging and labels.

Stonecube has been offering software products based on this technology to the general design and print market for a number of years. PrintDevizor, now in its second generation, lets you realistically view and experiment with variations of print and finishing options, interactively in 3D environments, and with true lighting conditions. PrintDevizor Pro has extra features which are essential for packaging, labels, greetings cards, publishing and print finishing—like die cutting, embossing and flitter—and to fold 2D designs up or roll them into a cylindrical shape.

“Packaging is obviously a very important application for dynamic print visualization,” said Martin Coulthard, founder and CEO of Stonecube and now director of Esko’s Visualization Software Product Group. “Joining forces with Esko not only creates a channel to get our exciting and unique technology to a broader audience, but also brings it together with Esko’s know-how on structural design, color management, interactive 3D rendering and packaging workflows in general. This is great news for both Esko customers and current users of Stonecube software.”