The move targets the short run packaging and labelling sectors and will be incorporated with the the HP Indigo ws4000 and ws2000. Artwork Systems will run its Nexus system, while Esko-Graphics will offer four workflow packages.

According to HP programme manager for industrial printing Danny Dams, the company is linking up with the two firms because of their market strength.

"Both are in the top three in the workflow sector and, unlike Creo, they are market leaders in Europe and not just in the US," he said.

Dams added that the labelling market has become a major growth area for HP although he conceded that it would be difficult to make further inroads into the packaging sector.

"At the moment, market share for digital presses is around 6% and labelling is much bigger. We choose our markets very carefully and we don't look to compete with gravure," he said.

But he added that over 10 years, HP increased its share of the labelling market and Dams believed that the trend was likely to follow in packaging.

Artwork Systems chairman Guido Van der Schueren said that the partnership with HP fitted in with its "growth strategy in professional pre-press software for labels and packaging".

Esko-Graphics senior vice president of marketing Ren Delbar added: "The advantage with our products is that printers who own HP presses can invest in one pre-press system for both analogue and digital printing."

At Drupa, Esko-Graphics unveiled its new and enhanced software components for its JDF workflow environment product Scope.

Story by Philip Chadwick at Drupa