Although primarily aimed at the technical market it also has graphics applications including print-for-pay, in store POS and fast proofing, in particular for newspapers.

"The HP Designjet 4000 is a technological breakthrough in speed, colour and printer management," said HP UK and Ireland LFP business manager Mark Ellis. "We understand the technical markets and have designed our new printer to meet the needs of these users."

It features a new print head with 1,024 nozzles, double the number of its previous heads, and is over three times faster in terms of raw droplet firing rate than earlier Designjets.

It uses a double swath design, which it claims reduces banding in the prints while keeping print speeds high.

As well as increasing print speed the 4000 uses a new set of ink cartridges available in two sizes, which are claimed to keep down running costs. The Designjet 4000 will be available in February, pricing has yet to be set.

HP's current technical machine the DJ 1000 series remains part of the portfolio for lower-volume users.

Story by Barney Cox