The modules, with widths from 72mm up to 520mm, are suitable for printing variable text in font sizes as small as 2pt, at over 50 metres per minute.

IIJ said the new modules were suitable for a wide range of label presses, including those from Nilpeter, Mark Andy and Gallus.

The company said adding inkjet module to a flexo press provides a "flexible, reliable and economic alternative" to standalone inkjet label presses.

The modules, powered by Konica Minolta inkjet technology, offer high-uptime and a long printhead life. Prices will be finalised closer to the Brussels show, which will be held from 29 September to 2 October.

IIJ technical sales representative Nadina Hnatiw said: “We're still working on the models, which can be retrofitted to the print engine and can print of paper, label stock and film.

“People were asking for faster and faster speeds and we realised with a bit of adaptation we can help them achieve that.

“They're targeted at people who don't want to slow a production line to accommodate a normal standalone inkjet, such as printers of security material, ballot papers or pharmaceutical packaging.

“We haven't finalised a price or the number of models in the range because each one is specced to each individual customer, with different needs for speed, inks and pre-treatment.”

This latest launch follows that of the iS range of colour inkjet modules in 2014, leaving IIJ to focus on its monochrome range.

The units print full variable images in black, white, varnish or spot colours, as well as security inks such as IR black or UV-fluorescent.

Early this year IIJ launched its new HS or high-speed models that print high-resolution continuously variable text images and barcodes at over 160m per minute.

Now IIJ is extending its mono offering to include 600dpi native resolution. IIJ tests UV and water-based inks from a range of suppliers to ensure ink meets customer demands.

IIJ founder and managing director John Corrall said: “Compared to standalone units, our modules provide the lowest cost of ownership, estimated between 30% and 60% lower than competitors.

“Combined with a wide choice of inks, from process colour to special effect and invisible security inks, they offer the best break-even point when compared with the cost of flexo print.”

He added: “With over 150 production lines running across the world, IIJ’s range of ColourPrint and MonoPrint inkjet modules are a proven cost-effective solution.”