Designed for on-demand book printing, transpromo and direct mail, the 762mm-wide (30in), four-colour machine can be run in three modes: offset only; offset plus digital; digital only.

"ProteusJet offers a compelling mix of speed, quality and flexibility," said chief technology officer Mary lee Schneider. "We believe designers will be delighted with the ability to introduce four-colour imaging anywhere on the page and do it inline with a conventional press."

"This opens a world of creative possibilities, all with the affordability that makes tests and rollouts attractive," she added.

Capable of running at 133m/minute in four-colour mode or 266m/minute in two colours, the line incorporates MICR inks and inline finishing, including selective perforating, punching and perfect binding.

A camera system ensures output integrity of the 1,200dpi pigment inkjet machine.

The announcement of the ProteusJet follows RR Donnelley's decision last year to form an alliance with HP's Inkjet High Speed production Solutions division in order to develop new digital printing technologies.

At the time of the deal last September, both companies said their first developments would be an MICR solution that would, in time, be available as an option for HP’s T300 inkjet web press.

RR Donnelley added that the ProteusJet platform is not the result of the firms' alliance.