The roll-to-roll machine is the 60-staff company's first UV, having been convinced the ink technology had moved far enough to eliminate bad odours and improve robustness at Fespa 2009.

Managing partner Thomas Ellmer said the Vutek opens up new markets and has used its high-resolution capabilities for applications such as labelling with a six-point font.

The lack of odour also means it can be used for interior work and high ink durability has enabled it to print on to a wide range of substrates such as tarpaulin.

The 5m width also enables it to print multiple jobs simultaneously. "We produce virtually no waste at all today and the printer runs absolutely stably, even with problematic artwork covering the full surface," said Ellmer.

"If the materials requested by the customer are only available in widths of 60in, we either produce on a single roll at reduced performance or run the equipment at full speed and print in parallel on two or three rolls. This strategy works very well in practice."