Presstek made a net loss of 1.9m ($2.8m) in its third quarter, which saw a 45% slump in equipment sales to Heidelberg.

The firm also predicted that DI press imaging kit shipments in Q4 would fall by 10-15 units as it awaits UL (Underwriters Laboratories) certification for its Xerox products.

Third-quarter revenue was up 19% to 18m, but last years 1.78m net income was turned into a loss.

Presstek also shipped 32 Dimension platesetters - fewer than expected due to performance problems. Plate sales also decreased.

The company incurred legal expenses of 963,000 from its on-press imaging patent litigation with CreoScitex, which was found in favour of its rival (PrintWeek, 21 September), and 1.4m in warranty expenses.

But president and chief executive Robert Hallman remained optimistic: "We believe the improvements to our Dimension production processes and ongoing cost reductions will contribute to our goal of breaking even in the fourth quarter," he said.

By Andy Scott