Xitron
Xitron develops Harlequin RIP-based prepress workflow and digital front-end software for commercial offset, flexo, screen, and high-speed inkjet printers. A subsidiary of Hybrid Software Group, the company sells Navigator RIP, K2 Workflow, and Navigator DFE through perpetual licenses, an international dealer network, and OEM partnerships.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1977
- HeadquartersAnn Arbor, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What Xitron does
Xitron is the leading independent developer of the Harlequin RIP and a portfolio of prepress workflow products serving commercial offset, flexographic label, screen, and high-speed inkjet printers. Founded in 1977 in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and operating today as a subsidiary of Hybrid Software Group (Euronext: HYSG) following the 2019 Global Graphics acquisition, the company sells Navigator RIP, Navigator Flexo Suite, K2 Workflow, and Navigator DFE (Digital Front End) software built on the Harlequin rendering core licensed from its sister company Global Graphics Software. Its flagship K2 Workflow, launched in 2024, is positioned as the first new commercial offset workflow in nearly two decades and is sold under a perpetual-license model that directly contrasts with the subscription-locked offerings of Kodak Prinergy, Fujifilm XMF, and Heidelberg Prinect.
The company's product architecture emphasizes hardware-agnostic "prepress independence," with native compatibility across virtually every major CTP platesetter (Kodak, Screen, Agfa, Heidelberg, Creo, Fuji) and high-speed inkjet printhead (Memjet, HP, Kyocera, Ricoh, Epson, XAAR, Konica Minolta, Toshiba, Dimatix), enabled by Meteor Inkjet drive electronics integration and an exclusive Memjet DFE partnership. Navigator DFE controls full press functionality (feeders, vacuums, dryers, dehumidifiers, web tensions) via MODBUS connectivity and is sold both to end users and through OEM embedding programs with Printware, Quadient, Kirk-Rudy, PCMC, FP Mailing, Winkler + Dunnebier, and others.
Revenue is generated primarily through one-time perpetual software licenses for Navigator RIP, K2 Workflow, and Navigator DFE; optional annual support and maintenance agreements; hardware bundles (K2 Workflow includes PC, installation, training, and first-year support); interest-free financing and operating-lease arrangements via Synergy Financial Resources; and professional services for installation and custom OEM development. Distribution runs through an international network of certified dealers (with training hubs in Ann Arbor and Ghent, Belgium) complemented by direct enterprise sales and OEM channel partnerships. The installed base approaches 50,000 Navigator RIP licenses worldwide, with 5,000+ Navigator DFE units shipped and 1,000+ DFE installations through Printware's iJetColor envelope presses alone.
Xitron firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Xitron
- Legal name
- Xitron LLC
- Website
- https://xitron.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1977
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Xitron develops Harlequin RIP-based prepress workflow and digital front-end software for commercial offset, flexo, screen, and high-speed inkjet printers. A subsidiary of Hybrid Software Group, the company sells Navigator RIP, K2 Workflow, and Navigator DFE through perpetual licenses, an international dealer network, and OEM partnerships.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Xitron industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Prepress Workflow Software
- NAICS
- Printing and Related Support Activities (3231), Commercial Printing (except Screen and Books) (323111)
- SIC
- Commercial Printing (2750), Coating, Engraving & Allied Services (3470)
- akta.pro primary industry
- 3D Printers (Additive Manufacturing) (HDACAEAH)
Keywords
Where Xitron is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Ann Arbor
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Xitron business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Software Licenses (Perpetual): One-time perpetual license sales for Navigator RIP, K2 Workflow, Raster Blaster, and related products. Customers own software outright with optional annual maintenance/support agreements.
- Support and Maintenance Agreements: Annual support agreements providing software updates, technical support, and maintenance. Offered as optional add-on to perpetual licenses.
- Digital Front End (DFE) Licensing: DFE software licensing for OEM partners and end-users driving high-speed inkjet presses. Sold as perpetual licenses with support agreements.
- Hardware Bundles: K2 Workflow sold as complete bundle including software, PC platform, on-site installation, training, and first-year support agreement for one low price.
- Financing Programs: Interest-free payment plans for RIPs, workflows, and CTP interface kits offered to qualified customers, allowing customers to spread costs over 90 days to 18 months while owning software at end of payments.
- Professional Services: On-site installation, training, and remote installation services offered, with installation and travel charges being non-returnable.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | K2 Workflow Bundle - Complete offset prepress solution |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | K2 Workflow - 24-Month Lease Option |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | K2 Workflow - 36-Month Lease Option |
| One time/ perpetual license | Annual | Navigator RIP Perpetual License |
| One time/ perpetual license | Annual | Navigator DFE License |
| Hybrid | Pay-as-you-go | Stimulus Program - Interest-Free Payment Plans |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels9 records
Xitron product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Xitron develops and sells Harlequin RIP-based prepress workflow software and digital front end (DFE) solutions for commercial offset, flexo, screen, and high-speed inkjet printing operations. The portfolio includes the Navigator Harlequin RIP, the K2 Workflow platform, the Navigator Flexo Suite, and the Navigator DFE, sold primarily through perpetual licenses, with optional support agreements and OEM integrations for press manufacturers.
Product overview
Xitron is the leading developer of the Harlequin RIP, with nearly 50,000 Navigator RIP installations worldwide. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of prepress workflow solutions for commercial offset, web offset, flexo, packaging, screen printing, and high-speed inkjet applications. The product portfolio centers on the Harlequin RIP core technology, delivered through the Navigator product family including Navigator Harlequin RIP, K2 Workflow (the newest offset workflow), Navigator Flexo Suite, Navigator Screen Printing, and Navigator DFE variants for digital front end applications. Supporting products include Raster Blaster TIFF Catcher for CTP output, IntelliTrap for PDF-based trapping, and the Blue Box interface family (XNI, USB, PCA) for CTP connectivity. Xitron's solutions provide 'prepress independence' with compatibility to virtually all output systems including Kodak, Screen, Agfa, Heidelberg, and Creo platesetters, as well as digital printheads from Memjet, HP, Kyocera, XAAR, Konica-Minolta, Ricoh, Epson, and others. The company operates as a subsidiary of Hybrid Software Group (Euronext: HYSG) and emphasizes perpetual licensing over subscription models.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Navigator: A widely trusted prepress workflow with Harlequin RIP, with nearly 50,000 RIP installations worldwide.
- K2 Workflow
- Navigator DFE
- Navigator Flexo Suite
- Raster Blaster
Products and services
- Navigator Harlequin RIP Flagship prepress RIP and workflow software built on the Harlequin RIP core, providing raster image processing and configurable workflow for commercial, flexo, screen, digital, and high-speed inkjet printing with nearly 50,000 installations worldwide.
- K2 Workflow Full-featured job submission and workflow platform built on the Harlequin RIP, positioned as the first new commercial offset workflow in nearly two decades. Features PDF preflight, PDF-based interactive trapping, ink remapping, integrated Impostrip Pro Offset imposition, and browser-based job submission.
- Navigator Flexo Suite Flexographic workflow solution combining the Navigator RIP with vector-based trapping, tabular step-and-repeat functionality, and SmartFlexo screening, designed for narrow-web label converters and packaging producers requiring automated trapping and screening.
- Navigator Screen Printing Navigator RIP-based workflow specifically designed for screen printing applications, enabling direct-to-screen output and supporting screen printing production requirements.
- Navigator DFE (Digital Front End) Scalable digital front end for high-speed inkjet presses with customizable brandable browser-based GUI, supporting Memjet, HP, Kyocera, XAAR, Konica-Minolta, Epson, Ricoh, Toshiba, and Dimatix printheads. Includes MODBUS press control for feeders, vacuums, dryers, dehumidifiers, and web tensions.
- Navigator DFE for HP Navigator DFE variant optimized for HP printheads including the HP FI-1000 Fixed Imager 1000 'Bar in a Box' system, used by AstroNova, Martin-Yale, and ADSI mailing and addressing systems.
- Smart DFE Flexible Navigator DFE solution for industrial inkjet printheads not covered by dedicated Memjet or HP variants, supporting multiple printhead brands through Meteor Inkjet drive electronics integration.
- Navigator Northstar for Desktop Inkjet Navigator RIP variant designed for desktop inkjet printing applications, supporting devices such as the OKI 931/941 and other desktop inkjet production systems.
- Xitron OEM Program OEM partnership program for equipment manufacturers to integrate Navigator DFE and workflow technology into their printing press systems as a branded solution, supported by custom development services.
- Custom Software Development Custom development services for machine builders and press manufacturers seeking tailored DFE and workflow solutions for proprietary printing systems, supporting OEM integration projects.
- Raster Blaster TIFF Catcher TIFF processing solution that catches and processes TIFF files for computer-to-plate output, used when print shops want to maintain existing workflows but replace the RIP or output stage driving the CTP.
Quantifiable outcome
- Jobs that took 1.5 hours to RIP now take 6 minutes (90%+ reduction in RIP time)
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Xitron
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Xitron technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration32 records
Feature6 records
Xitron partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Meteor InkjetcoreIntegration with Meteor Inkjet drive electronics opened Navigator DFE to full-stack, ready-to-deploy DFE solutions for Kyocera, Ricoh, Epson, Dimatix, Konica Minolta, SII, Toshiba, XAAR, and Xerox printheads.
- MemjetcoreSuccessful launch of DuraBbolt 325C PrintEngine (450 fpm color) and DuraBolt 650 PrintBar (950+ fpm monochrome) with fully integrated Navigator DFE providing intuitive HMI.
- MemjetcoreXitron selected as Memjet's sole developer for the Digital Front End (DFE) of two soon-to-be-announced digital print engines. DFE controls full press functionality including feeders, vacuums, dryers, dehumidifiers, and web tensions through MODBUS connectivity. First shipments began late 2022 with acceleration in Q1 2023.
- Paper Converting Machine Company (PCMC)corePartnered with PCMC and Memjet for revolutionary IGT instant lottery ticket printing installation. Navigator DFE drives DuraLink printheads on PCMC's wide-web format press over 300 feet in length.
- PrintwarecoreLong-term co-development relationship including Platestream CTP systems. Printware's iJetColor envelope presses powered by Navigator DFE. 1,000th DFE milestone achieved June 2021.
- Bill BrunoneminorDirector of Business Development, Digital Print Solutions. Previously responsible for starting Memjet's Production Print Group. Key relationship manager for Memjet OEM partnerships.
- Global Graphics PLCcoreParent company acquisition. Global Graphics acquired Xitron, LLC as part of their prepress workflow and RIP development portfolio. Now subsidiary of Hybrid Software Group (HYSG) following restructuring.
- Hybrid SoftwarecoreSister company collaboration. Hybrid Software provides PDF trapping technology and SmartFlexo screening for Navigator Flexo Suite. Collaborative product development leveraging expertise from both organizations.
- RTI-RIPsminorXitron acquired RTI-RIPs CTP & CTF business expanding interface compatibility portfolio.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Xitron competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Xitron social profiles
Digital presenceXitron financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Xitron leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Xitron funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Xitron M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Xitron
What does Xitron do?
Xitron develops and sells Harlequin RIP-based prepress workflow software and digital front end (DFE) solutions for commercial offset, flexo, screen, and high-speed inkjet printing operations. The portfolio includes the Navigator Harlequin RIP, the K2 Workflow platform, the Navigator Flexo Suite, and the Navigator DFE, sold primarily through perpetual licenses, with optional support agreements and OEM integrations for press manufacturers.
Is Xitron a public or private company?
Xitron is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Xitron founded?
Xitron was founded in 1977. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Xitron based?
Xitron is headquartered in Ann Arbor, United States, in the North America region.
How does Xitron make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Software Licenses (Perpetual) is the primary driver. The others are support and Maintenance Agreements, digital Front End (DFE) Licensing, hardware Bundles, financing Programs and professional Services.
Does Xitron have an API?
No public API is recorded for Xitron.
What industry is Xitron in?
Xitron's product category is Prepress Workflow Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDACAEAH, 3D Printers (Additive Manufacturing). Its NAICS code is 3231 and its SIC code is 2750.