"The popularity of the Arizona series is proof of the value it provides," said Océ Display Graphics Systems chief executive Gido van Praag. "Customers are initially attracted because of the image quality and the applications that can be produced. But they are convinced to purchase one because of the value it provides to their business."

The 2,000 figure includes all versions of the Arizona series from the original 250GT, launched four years ago in September 2006, to the latest 550XT introduced earlier this year and all the versions sold via the firm’s partnership with Fujifilm as the Acuity and LuxelJet.

Tim Greene, wide-format service director at print research firm InfoTrends commented: "Shipping 2,000 Arizona printers is quite an accomplishment that unquestionably gives it the leading position in the market for wide-format UV-curable inkjet printers… Other companies in the space include Agfa, Mimaki, HP, Gerber, EFI, and Screen so there are some very big names chasing Oce in this market."

He added that this was the "best part of the market in which to be number one because it is poised to be one of the fastest-growing segments of the market, providing the speed and quality improvements to drive volumes".

The firm used figures from several market research firms on which to base its claim. It said: "Most agree that fewer than 3,000 UV flatbed printers costing $100,000-$300,000 (£65,000-£200,000) were sold in the period 2007 to 2009, of which more than 1,600 were Océ Arizona printers. Since then, we have continued to sell at a rate that has allowed us to exceed 2,000 to date."