Available in two widths - 1,371mm or 1,620mm - the seven-colour machine is being targeted at environmentally conscious point-of-sale and display print businesses.

The L4000 series is suitable for both indoor and outdoor applications and is capable of printing on a wide range of substrates, including PVC, coated-paper and textiles.

Offering output as small as four picolitres in size, the machines can print in CMYK, light cyan, light magenta and white.

The L4000 series, which is showcased as a prototype on the company’s stand, will be commercially available from early next year.

Peter Williams, executive vice- president of Ricoh Europe, said it was the "right time" to launch what it claims is an extremely competitive large-format inkjet printer range for the graphic arts market.

"We have a responsibility to help clients succeed and equally businesses cannot hide from technology change. It is essential they focus on how technology is used to add benefits to their businesses, looking beyond specifications alone," he added.

Exhibiting under the theme ‘Print and Beyond’, Ricoh is also showcasing its "powerhouse"?InfoPrint 5000VP production printer for the first time in Europe as well as InfoPrint ADF Express, a new addition to the Ricoh?TotalFlow workflow suite

"Today, the Ricoh portfolio provides a broad range of technologies and applications to suit specific business needs, without compromise," added Williams.