The GPT 190s is a 1.9m wide machine capable of producing up to 35sqm/hr for close-viewed banners at a starting price of £22,000. Other print modes and speeds include a vinyl setting capable of 24sqm/hr and a close-viewed interior graphics mode producing 15sqm/hr.

"There is nothing that competes with the GPT 190s at this speed, width and price," said GPT general manager Stuart Cole.

Cole said the machine was developed based on customer requests for an affordable productive solvent machine that could handle media wider than 1.6m. Having developed the concept the firm canvassed opinion at its open house held last October, and the response convinced it to bring the product to market.

It is based on a Mimaki textile printer, which uses a pair of printheads to achieve the throughput. GPT fits full-width heaters to the chassis to enable it to print with solvent inks, including eco-solvent.

As it is based on Mimaki hardware, including the Mimaki RasterLink RIP and Mimaki inks, it is covered by the manufacturer’s two-year warranty.

Options are available for a bulk ink system and a waste ink trough for printing onto un-backed mesh that Cole said would appeal to users looking to reduce ink and consumables costs. He added that he expected potential users in this sector of the market would want to drive the machine with third-party RIPs, which are supported.

While the launch of the GPT 190s shows there is continuing demand for the established solvent printer technologies Cole said he was experiencing strong interest in the Mimaki Latex and Solvent UV technologies shown at Fespa and Drupa last year, and that he expected them to sell well once commercially available later this year.