Agfa, Durst, HP, Inca and One Solution all released high-performance flatbeds at the event in Amsterdam (12-14 May), however US-based pre-media and inkjet giant EFI Vutek announced it was withdrawing from the race - for the time being.

EFI said it had decided not to launch its DS8300, the "screen process killing" press it announced last year at Drupa, in part due to the performance of the recently launched GS3200 and GS5000r machines.

"The GS range has provided speed and quality that were better than we expected," said EFI Vutek vice president of marketing, Chuck Dourlet. "That, together with the economic climate, led us to pull back from releasing the DS8300."

He promised the company would instead double its efforts into the next version of the product, bringing it to market 18 months ahead of schedule to ensure EFI had "the right product when the market gets better".

Meanwhile, EFI's wide-format rivals marched ahead with their own launches.

Agfa announced an updated version of the M-Press, the Tiger, capable of producing 777sqm per hour and One Solution took the wraps off its Vega machine, which in the fastest 32000 configuration, is capable of 720sqm per hour.

The 32000, which offers an optional feeder and stacker, is one of four configurations of the Vega range. The portfolio includes the 4000, 8000 and 16000 machines, which are capable of printing at maximum speeds of 100, 180 and 360sqm respectively.

Durst unveiled the Rho 1000, which can reach speeds of 600sqm per hour.Managing director Richard Piock said it was "a Durst press that does what Agfa's M-Press was supposed to do, at half the price".

Fespa Digital also witnessed the debut of the previously announced 500sqm per hour HP Scitex FB7500, along with Inca's 250sqm per hour Onset S20, which joined the original S70 Onset model.