The Presstek 52DI (pictured), a landscape-format four-colour B3 machine, will get its worldwide launch at Ipex in April.

Capable of producing 10,000 sheets per hour and with a job-changeover time of 10 minutes, including imaging, the new machine is 40% more productive than the portrait-format KBA 46 Karat DI press, which Presstek sells in the UK.

"This is the first time we're bringing a Presstek press to market," said Ray Hillhouse, who has been promoted from UK managing director to European director of sales and marketing.

He added: "Having a portrait press [the 46 Karat] was never a problem for us in the UK, but having landscape format will open up the market."

The firm believes the landscape format will really come into its own on the continent.

The 341,000 (500,000) waterless machine gets up to colour in 20 sheets and the firm claims it is competitive on run lengths from 250 up to at least 10,000.

With the 52DI, which will beginning shipping in Q4, the company plans to confound pundits who have written off DI technology. In its 2005 results, Presstek revealed that DI press sales were up 75% on 2004.

The 2005 figures also showed strong European growth with revenue up 12% in the second half of 2005.

A new European headquarters has been opened near Heathrow Airport. The site includes training and demonstration facilities for its DI and CTP kit as well as sales, marketing and service support for customers and dealers.

Presstek's 2005 revenues rose 111% to 157m ($274.1m), while its net income rose 56% to 3.5m.

Presstek 52DI Specifications
- Type: waterless DI

- Run lengths: 25-10,000+

- Changeover time: 10 minutes

- Speed: 10,000sph

- Sheet size: 520x375mm

- Stock range: 0.06-0.5mm

- Resolutions: 300lpi and FM

- Architecture: central impression cylinder

- Plates: ProFire Digital Media (polyester roll)

- Price: 341,000