Unveiled at C!Print in Lyon, France, on its official release date, 6 February, Agfa said the new machine was designed as a smaller, more accessible machine for commercial printers.

Boasting the same technology as the bigger machines in its family, Agfa’s new 1.6m-wide printer prints on rigid and flexible media using LED curing technology. It also utilises Agfa’s thin ink layer technology and white ink printing.

“Some years ago, we were prominent in the 1.6m flatbed market,” said UK marketing and channel manager Steve Collins. “We then decided to move into the more mid-range sizes with our Anapurna products. We are now revisiting 1.6m, which is very exciting for us.

“The H1650i is ideal for a company looking to diversify, but without the money for one of our bigger machines. It will encourage natural growth for commercial printers who can then move upwards organically from this particular machine.”

Anapurna H1650i printers are driven by Agfa’s Asanti workflow software, designed for high quality and consistency in prints. It runs at a production speed of 28sqm/hour.

The machine is available in the UK through Agfa UK, distributor Litho Supplies, and Agfa Graphics’ own local dealer channel, and will cost “less than £90,000”, according to Collins.

Every printer in the Anapurna family has a reinforced belt drive and shuttle beam, a gradient and multi-layer functionality and six 12pl printheads. They are fitted with air-cooled LED-UV lights that allow printing on thin and thermal sensitive substrates.

Agfa Graphics turns over circa €1.3bn (£1.15bn) and is part of the €2.5bn-turnover Agfa group, which comprises a workforce of 12,000 employees in 80 countries.