The bundle, which includes a Roland Versacamm VS-series printer, allows contract quality proofs and packaging mock-ups to be created on a wide range of substrates.

According to UK distributor Revolution Graphics, a new CMYK ink set plus Orange and Green XG inks has enabled the move into contract quality packaging proofing.

Jan Edgecombe, managing director of Revolution, said: "It's a much cleaner CMYK set than the standard Roland inks, which are designed for the sign and graphics space.

"Together with the extended gamut XG inks this gives a much closer match to high-quality litho and flexo output, which you need for high-end contract proofing."

Edgecombe added that the launch of a new CGS transfer media has also opened up the market for producing proofs on flexible substrates, including cellophane.

"They've taken the eco-solvent coating that you have to have on eco-solvent substrates and applied it to a very thin, semi-porous transfer paper," he said.

"You print onto the transfer paper and then put that through an encapsulator laminator together with the cellophane and it transfers the image."

The transfer media can also be used for printing proofs and mock-ups on rigid substrates such as card and aluminium. "It gives you a semi-matt finish when printing onto card," said Edgecombe.

Pricing for the bundle, which includes a starter media set, CGS RIP and installation, starts from £28,099 for the 30" Roland Versacamm VS. Bundles are available for the 42", 54" and 64" devices.

Printers also have the option of purchasing access to the Esko Color Engine spot colour database. Existing Roland Versacamm users can have their printers upgraded to the new ink set and CGS RIP in the field.

Esko business manager for the UK and Ireland Paul Bates said the company's on-going partnership with CGS signifies its evolvement into a "colour-focused" business.

He added: "Because despite rapid advances in 3D visualisation software for packaging, at the end of the day a tangible, colour accurate final proof is still what every brand owner wants to see, and very likely always will.

"Therefore it’s essential that proof production can be colour managed regardless of print process, and CGS’s software and the Roland print solutions will demonstrate the full extent of Esko’s open philosophy."