It took 19 orders, including its first machine for the French market and five for UK dealer Litho Supplies. Of the total half were for the Esko-Graphics PlateDriver Compact, which HighWater makes (PrintWeek, 4 March).

"This is hard evidence that the industry gurus were correct when they said the 2pp and 4pp commercial market is the most active for CTP," said HighWater sales director Peter Flynn. "We are looking forward to a busy and profitable Drupa."

To meet demand the firm has taken on two more staff in its factory, and said there was further room to expand production.

Since its launch last May over 60 Pythons have been sold. Overall, including the previous machine the Platinum, HighWater has sold over 400 platesetters according to sales and marketing manager Sue Wood.

"For a small UK firm that's incredible, but then we are," she said.

The firm has added new features to its workflow, including barcodes on plates and proofs, which allow a barcode scanner to be used to release an approved proof to platemaking, or to call up a plate that needs to be remade.