Yingkou Sanxin Offset Machinery's 13,000sph YK522 press has semi-automatic plate changing, touch-screen controls and metered dampening with chiller recirculation.

"Chinese-made products often equalled Western equivalents but offered lower manufacturing costs", said Graham Moorby, sales director of UK and Ireland agent Printers Superstore Machinery Sales.

"UK printers can now take the high-quality offset-print route and enjoy all the benefits of the latest technology without breaking the bank. Potentially this is a revolutionary product," he said.

He would not reveal prices, but said the kit could cost around half of that of a comparable sub-100,000 B3 machine.

"The Sanxin is aimed at small offset printers that want to move up. Its automation makes it good for short-run process work."

Electronic micro adjustment and bearer-to-bearer contact back up quick-action blanket clamps and automated wash-ups. A four-colour version is due to be rolled out in the UK in autumn.

Printers Superstore Machinery Sales is sister company of Printers Superstore, supplier of rollers and consumables.