Leeds-based Lettershop is trialling the monochrome inkjet printhead and is already using it to produce live direct mail jobs for clients.

Kodak's new continuous mono technology has been designed for inline digital printing on equipment such as offset presses.

According to John Hornby, chief executive at the 2008 PrintWeek Direct Mail Printer of the Year, the company is already achieving print speeds of 1,000 feet a minute – equal to 305m a minute.

He said: "We've been a customer for a long time, working closely with them while watching the developments in technology closely.

"Becoming the beta site for the Stream printhead was a logical step. We're already reaching speeds of 1,000fpm at resolutions of 600dpi."

Hornby added that the increased resolution had a "discernable impact" on quality, especially on images.

Lettershop can wield the new technology, which offers a print width of 10.56cm and variable data printing inline, on applications for clients including those in the retail and consumer goods markets.

Hornby said: "Kodak’s Stream printhead helps us do that by enabling the production of one-to-one communications that impact effectiveness, brand perception and the bottom line.

"We are delighted to be a beta customer for this groundbreaking technology."

Kevin Joyce, worldwide vice president of sales and marketing within Kodak's digital printing solutions, said Stream was "an ideal fit" for Lettershop and one he anticipates will open up new markets for the group.

Earlier this month, German direct marketing group Meiller Direct became the first European customer to beta test Kodak's Stream printhead.