The Thallo uses the same sleeve technology pioneered a decade ago by Drent Goebel and featured in Muller Martini’s Variable Sleeve Offset Press (VSOP).

DG Press Machines’ Thallo press will be available in 520mm, 850mm and 1,050mm web widths although sales engineer Richard Miedema said that these were "just indications". "We’re very variable in the actual building of the press," he added.

Available cut-offs will range between 406mm and 762mm and will be stepless, meaning any size in between is possible, while the press itself is modular in design up to a maxium of 10 units.

This allows users to alter the repeat length of the press by changing the plate and blanket sleeves, without having to completely change the unit or casette.

Because the press uses regular offset printing plates, the pre-press process is the same as for conventional litho printing and therefore considerably quicker and cheaper than flexo or gravure.

However, the drawback is that it is not possible to print continuously as there will always be a small gap where the plate is mounted.

Miedema said: "Using offset gives you a big advantage when producing smaller jobs and bigger flexibility in production versus flexo and gravure where you have to plan days in advance."

DG Press Machines will show one unit of the Thallo as a proof of concept at LabelExpo 2013, where it will take orders for two beta sites as well as selling production slots for when the press goes into commercial production at the start of 2015.

Miedema said that pricing for the press would be 10-20% cheaper than comparable technology, such as the VSOP. He added that there were a number of sleeve suppliers, including Flint Group.

While the Thallo is aimed at the flexible packaging market, Miedema said that DG Press Services was thinking of developing a carton printing press based on the same variable sleeve design in the future.