One of the new Indigos, the 5000, is the first machine to be jointly developed by HP and Indigo and features technology similar to the Xerox iGen3.

The press has multiple paper trays and support for inline finishing. With the 5000 weve combined HP and Indigo technology to provide greater ease of use and a longer duty cycle, said executive vice president Vyomesh Joshi.

Bill McGlynn, vice president, digital publishing solutions paid tribute to Benny Landa, the founder of Indigo who sold the company to Hewlett-Packard in 2001.

This was Bennys dream. Its a new price point for acquisition, consumables and service, he said.

The second Indigo is the 3050, an improved version of the 3000 series. All series 3000 users can upgrade to the new machine, which will be free if their machine is under a year old.

Both the 3050 and 5000 use a new ink, which provides better rub resistance and improved adhesion widening the range of stocks that can be printed.

It also costs less than the current ElectroInk.

Earlier machines can be upgraded to use the new ink too.

The 3050 is 25% cheaper than the 3000, starting from 239,000. The 5000, which will be available in the fourth quarter, will start at 279,000. A UK Indigo customer will begin trialling the 5000 in April.

Joining the Indigo range are two KonicaMinolta engined digital printers an 85ppm monochrome machine, the 9085mfp, and a 50ppm colour machine, which is based on the 8050 called the 9850mfp aimed at the quickprint market.

Story by Barney Cox