LaserSoft Imaging

LaserSoft Imaging AG is a German software company focused on digital imaging, scanning, color management, and image archiving. Founded in Kiel in spring 1986 by physicist Karl-Heinz Zahorsky, the company initially worked at the intersection of professional prepress, Macintosh computing, video digitization, and color reproduction. It became an early participant in the development of color and image-processing workflows for Apple computers and distributed early video digitizers and scanning equipment, including products associated with Pixelogic and Truvel. During the late 1980s and 1990s, LaserSoft Imaging broadened its role from distributor and consultant to developer of software and systems connecting desktop computers with professional prepress equipment. Its RipLink system was designed to connect Macintosh computers with major prepress platforms, including systems from Hell, Scitex, and Crosfield. The company also advised equipment manufacturers and imaging businesses on high-end desktop color workflows and participated in the development of Photone Prepress. The company's most important product line is SilverFast, a family of applications for scanner control, color correction, high-dynamic-range image processing, image archiving, and related workflows. Development began in 1994, early versions were demonstrated at CeBIT in the mid-1990s, and version 3.0 was released in 1996. Later releases extended the platform across professional and consumer scanners, operating systems, and a wide range of manufacturer-specific hardware configurations. SilverFast products have included scanner editions such as SE, SE Plus, and Ai Studio; HDR and HDR Studio applications; Archive Suite packages; and PrintTao software for large-format printing. LaserSoft Imaging has supported software integrations for hundreds of scanners and has distributed its products through international distributors and bundle agreements with equipment manufacturers. The reference material identifies relationships involving Canon, HP, Seiko Epson, Cruse, Leica Camera, Microtek, Nikon, Pacific Image Electronics, Pentacon, PFU/Quato, Plustek, Samsung, and Umax, among others. Its supported hardware has included professional and high-end scanners from the Heidelberg and Linotype product families, such as Topaz, Tango, Nexscan, and Chromagraph systems. The company established a United States office in Sarasota, Florida, in 1997, complementing its German headquarters and helping support international sales and distribution. LaserSoft Imaging became an Aktiengesellschaft in 2001, while the founder remained the sole shareholder according to the cited reference material. The company continued to update SilverFast through versions 5, 6, 6.5, 6.6, and SilverFast 9, released in 2020. Its product portfolio also includes Photoshop-compatible dust and scratch removal software, reflective and transparent IT8 calibration targets, advanced targets conforming to the later ISO 12641-2 specification, and resolution-testing tools. LaserSoft Imaging occupies a specialist position rather than competing as a general-purpose consumer software company. Its identity is built around technically demanding image capture and reproduction workflows, particularly the preservation and calibration of photographic, film, art, and archival material. The company’s products are aimed at users who require control over scanner profiles, color accuracy, infrared-assisted defect removal, high-bit-depth processing, and repeatable digitization results. Its Advanced IT8 Target was certified by the Fogra Research Institute for Media Technologies in 2019 as conforming to ISO 12641-2:2019, reinforcing the company’s emphasis on standardized scanner calibration. The available reference material does not provide revenue, employee, valuation, or current ownership figures beyond the founder’s reported shareholding.

LaserSoft Imaging was founded in Kiel, Germany, in spring 1986 by physicist Karl-Heinz Zahorsky. Its earliest activities centered on color and image processing for the Macintosh, at a time when professional prepress and digital imaging workflows were beginning to move toward desktop systems. The company became an early distributor of video digitizers, including Pixelogic's ProViz and Truvel's TrueScan. The latter was presented as an early professional color scanner for Macintosh computers and was shown at the CeBIT trade fair in Hannover in 1988 with the involvement of Apple Computer. In 1991, LaserSoft Imaging became a registered GmbH and moved into a large prepress facility. This gave it a base for helping customers establish desktop color-reproduction workflows and for connecting Chromacom systems with Macintosh computers. The company developed RipLink, a system intended to link major prepress environments, including those associated with Hell, Scitex, and Crosfield, to Macintosh systems. It also became involved in the distribution of Leaf scanners and in consulting work for companies such as Leaf, Canon, Sony, and Seiko on high-end desktop color. LaserSoft Imaging additionally participated in the development of Photone Prepress after that product had passed through its early development stage. The central turning point in the company's history came in 1994, when it began developing SilverFast. Early development work was presented at CeBIT in 1995, version 2.0 was demonstrated at the 1996 fair, version 3.0 was released in December 1996, and version 4.0 followed in 1998. SilverFast gave LaserSoft Imaging a proprietary software platform that could be adapted to a wide range of scanners and imaging devices rather than relying solely on distribution, integration, or consultancy work. LaserSoft Imaging opened a Sarasota, Florida, office in 1997. This expanded the company's geographic footprint beyond Germany and supported its international distribution model. During the following decade, SilverFast releases progressed through versions 5.0 in 2000, 6.0 in 2002, 6.5 in 2006, and 6.6 in 2008. In 2001, the business was converted into an Aktiengesellschaft. The cited reference states that Karl-Heinz Zahorsky remained the sole shareholder. The company developed scan software for more than 300 scanner models and supported both Apple and Microsoft operating-system environments, including Mac OS 9, Mac OS X, and several versions of Windows. Its international reach was built through distributors and bundle agreements with equipment manufacturers. The reference material identifies arrangements or distribution relationships involving Canon, HP, Seiko Epson, Cruse, Leica Camera, Microtek, Nikon, Pacific Image Electronics, Pentacon, PFU/Quato, Plustek, Samsung, and Umax. LaserSoft Imaging also supported professional scanners from the Heidelberg and Linotype families, including Topaz, Tango, Nexscan, and Chromagraph systems. SilverFast's scope expanded beyond basic scanner operation. The portfolio came to include professional scanner editions, HDR and high-bit-depth image-processing applications, archiving suites, large-format printer software, and plug-ins for removing dust and scratches. The company also produced reflective and transparent IT8 targets for scanner profiling, advanced targets designed around ISO 12641-2, and USAF 1951 resolution targets for evaluating scanner performance. This combination positioned LaserSoft Imaging within specialist color-management and digitization markets rather than the broader general-purpose software sector. In 2008, SilverFast received recognition from the European Digital Press Association for color-management software. In 2019, LaserSoft Imaging's Advanced IT8 Target was certified through Fogra Research Institute for Media Technologies as conforming to ISO 12641-2:2019, a specification concerning advanced color targets for input-scanner calibration. The company later released SilverFast 9 in 2020. The available source material describes LaserSoft Imaging as an active company headquartered in Kiel with a Sarasota office, but does not supply current revenue, workforce, market-share, or detailed recent corporate information.

1. 2020SilverFast 9 released

   The company released SilverFast 9, a later major generation of its imaging and scanning software.

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2. 2019Advanced IT8 Target certified to ISO 12641-2

   Fogra certification confirmed conformity of the Advanced IT8 Target with the ISO 12641-2:2019 specification.

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3. 2008SilverFast recognized for color management

   SilverFast received European Digital Press Association recognition as color-management software of the year.

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4. 2001Business converted into an Aktiengesellschaft

   LaserSoft Imaging changed its corporate form to an AG; the founder was reported as the sole shareholder.

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5. 1997Sarasota office opened

   LaserSoft Imaging opened a second office in Sarasota, Florida.

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6. 1996SilverFast version 2.0 demonstrated

   The company demonstrated SilverFast 2.0 at CeBIT as the platform progressed toward commercial release.

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7. 1996SilverFast 3.0 released

   SilverFast 3.0 was released in December 1996.

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8. 1994SilverFast development begins

   LaserSoft Imaging started development of SilverFast, which became its best-known software platform.

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9. 1991Company becomes a registered GmbH

   LaserSoft Imaging became a registered GmbH and moved into a prepress facility to support desktop color-reproduction projects.

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10. 1988Professional Macintosh color-scanning activity showcased at CeBIT

    The company presented early professional Macintosh color-scanning and video-digitization work at CeBIT in Hannover.

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11. 1986LaserSoft Imaging founded

    Physicist Karl-Heinz Zahorsky founded LaserSoft Imaging in Kiel, Germany, in spring 1986.

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A specialist provider of professional and enthusiast imaging software, scanner calibration tools, and archival digitization workflows, with an emphasis on color accuracy, high-bit-depth processing, hardware compatibility, and preservation-quality scanning.

• SilverFast SE / SE PlusScanner software

  Entry and enhanced editions of SilverFast for scanner control and image capture. These products provide software-based scanning workflows for supported scanner hardware, with the SilverFast family generally focused on color correction, image optimization, and repeatable output.

• SilverFast Ai StudioProfessional scanner software

  A professional edition of SilverFast intended for more demanding scanner users. It is associated with advanced control over scanning, color management, image correction, and high-quality capture from photographic and other source materials.

• SilverFast HDR / HDR StudioHigh-bit-depth image-processing software

  SilverFast HDR products provide 64-bit and 48-bit image-processing workflows for files captured from scanners or other sources. They are designed for users who need substantial tonal information and greater control during post-scan optimization and color handling.

• SilverFast Archive Suite / Archive Suite SEDigital archiving software

  Archive Suite packages combine scanning and image-processing capabilities for systematic digitization projects. Their intended use includes preserving photographic and film collections while maintaining consistent capture and archival workflows.

• SilverFast PrintTao 8Large-format printer software

  PrintTao 8 is software for large-format printing workflows. It extends LaserSoft Imaging's focus from image capture and scanning into output management for users working with large-format printers.

• SRDx Photoshop Plug-inImage-restoration plug-in

  SRDx is a Photoshop plug-in for removing dust and scratches from scanned or digitized images. It addresses a common restoration requirement in photographic, film, and archival imaging workflows.

• Reflective and transparent IT8 TargetsScanner-calibration target

  LaserSoft Imaging manufactures IT8 targets for reflective and transparent media. These physical calibration references support scanner profiling and color-management workflows for different source types.

• Advanced IT8 TargetsAdvanced scanner-calibration target2019

  The Advanced IT8 Targets are designed for advanced input-scanner calibration and were certified through Fogra in 2019 as conforming to ISO 12641-2:2019.

• USAF 1951 Resolution TargetImaging test target

  The USAF 1951 Resolution Target is used to assess the maximum resolving capability of a scanner or related imaging system.

• 2020Release SilverFast 9Generation change

  SilverFast had progressed through several major and intermediate releases since its initial development in the 1990s.

  What changed. LaserSoft Imaging released SilverFast 9 as a new major software generation.

  Aftermath. The release continued the company's long-running focus on scanner software and digital imaging workflows.

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• 2001Convert the company into an AktiengesellschaftStrategy

  The company had developed an international software and hardware-partner network around SilverFast.

  What changed. LaserSoft Imaging changed its legal form to an AG.

  Aftermath. The founder remained the sole shareholder according to the cited reference material; no public listing or ticker is identified.

  Source
• 1997Expand through a United States officeStrategy

  LaserSoft Imaging was moving from a primarily German distribution base toward international sales and support.

  What changed. The company opened a second office in Sarasota, Florida.

  Aftermath. The business operated with a German headquarters and a United States office while distributing SilverFast internationally.

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• 1994Develop SilverFastProduct launch

  LaserSoft Imaging had experience in Macintosh color processing, prepress integration, scanner distribution, and high-end desktop color consulting.

  What changed. The company began developing SilverFast as a dedicated scanning and imaging-software platform.

  Aftermath. SilverFast became the company's principal product family and was subsequently released across numerous scanner configurations.

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• 2020SilverFast 9 released

  The company released SilverFast 9 as a later major generation of its scanner and imaging-software platform.

  Product generation
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• 2019Advanced IT8 Target certified against ISO 12641-2

  LaserSoft Imaging's Advanced IT8 Target was certified through Fogra as conforming to the ISO 12641-2:2019 specification for advanced color targets used in input-scanner calibration.

  Other
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• 2008SilverFast receives European Digital Press Association color-management recognition

  SilverFast was recognized by the European Digital Press Association as color-management software of the year.

  Other
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• 1997LaserSoft Imaging opens Sarasota office

  The company opened a second office in Sarasota, Florida, expanding its support for international customers and distribution.

  Other
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• 1995LaserSoft Imaging demonstrates early SilverFast versions at CeBIT

  An early version of SilverFast was presented at CeBIT, followed by a version 2.0 demonstration the next year.

  Product launch
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• 1994LaserSoft Imaging begins SilverFast development

  The company began developing SilverFast, the imaging-software family that became its principal product line.

  Product launch
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1. LaserSoft Imaging