The desktop printer, unveiled at last week's Ipex, is designed for those wanting to buck the UV trend to offer high quality photographic, packaging and merchandising products.

“UV just doesn’t always give the same effect,” said business development director at Copytrax Steve Woods. “This gives a smooth glossy finish. It’s aimed at small entrepreneurial digital printers looking to get into small desktop flatbed printing at a low cost.”

The recommended retail price of the Rubens is just under £10,000. “The technology is more cost effective than some UV systems,” said Woods. “The hardware is cheaper and the ink and running costs are more cost effective.”

The printer features variable drop size technology delivered with Epson micro piezo printheads, a white ink option and 330mm x 530mm media size, up to a height of 100mm. This sized bed takes six minutes to print at photo resolution.

Copytrax had two sales in the pipeline prior to Ipex and generated 130 “strong” sales leads at the show, according to Woods, who said that reception from visitors had been excellent.