Screen to launch Indigo rival at Ipex

The machine, which the company called the "world's first full-colour B2 sheetfed inkjet press", has offset-level, 1,440x720dpi print quality.

The press, first previewed at Drupa 2008, can also run offset stocks, as well overprint on offset-printed material.

Dainippon Screen Australia technical sales manager Peter Scott told ProPrint that the machine was more likely to work alongside offset machinery than become an 'offset-killer'.

"I don't really see it for large volumes of work, I see it as being more for lots and lots of short-run work," he said.

"If anything, it's going to complement offset due to its variable-data capabilities. Or if you're doing photobooks, it's perfect for those applications, so it might be competing with Indigos, with its B2 size and ability to print on lots of stocks."

Scott said the concept had already attracted "a fair bit of interest" in the local market.

The JetSX is expected to have a worldwide release later in the year. Local release dates and distributors are yet to be determined.

Screen has said that it will also use Ipex to launch "two new versions" of its Truepress Jet520 press.