Delphax's SRA2-format Elan 500 sheetfed printer, which was launched at Drupa with an Adobe APPE RIP and Delphax DFE, will be the first to get the upgrade to HHR.

Global Graphics chief technology officer Martin Bailey said: "Delphax has been an OEM partner for about 15 years, starting out with the old Harlequin Server RIP technology.

"Obviously they've gone through a very large step change with their latest products, such as the Elan, and so they've gone to the Harlequin Host Renderer."

Harlequin's RIP technology is also used by HP, Canon, TKS and OKI Data Americas, as well as by US-based Printware in its Memjet-powered iJetColor device.

Delphax vice-president of sales and marketing Steve Hubbard said: "Delphax has a long and successful history of integrating Global Graphics RIP technology into our products.

"It has been a key element of our industry leading Imaggia and CR systems and we are extremely pleased to be able to continue this relationship in order to provide the quality and speed offered by the Harlequin RIP technology within our next generation of Elan products.

"Our internally developed distributed PDF RIP farm solution, which is built around Harlequin, perfectly complements Elan's unparalleled productivity, print quality and flexible media options at a highly competitive cost point."