This follows the completion of a successful beta trial in Japan earlier this summer. The first European beta site is scheduled over the next few months, with full commercial availability in Europe planned for Q4 2011.

“The commercial availability of the Jet Press 720 marks the start of a new era for sheet-fed digital printing. We are very proud that Fujifilm is at the forefront of this revolution.” comments Ryuta Masui, Senior Vice President, Fujifilm Europe GmbH. “Since the technology announcement at Drupa 2008 and its live demonstration at Ipex 2010, Fujifilm has been perfecting the technologies within this groundbreaking new press as we want to make sure that the Jet Press 720 will make a difference to a printer’s business right from day one. As a result, we are confident that the Jet Press 720 is going to create new opportunities for both traditional commercial printers and the new breed of digital-only printers who are both looking for cost effective short run print of exceptional quality.”

The Jet Press 720 is a four colour digital press capable of printing a B2 sheet in a single-pass, resulting in production speeds of up to 2,700 B2 sheets an hour. It makes use of Sambatm print-head technology to achieve resolutions of 1,200dpi x 1,200dpi with four variable dot sizes, and is set to raise the bar in terms of the quality that can be achieved with a digital printing system. Significantly, by applying a primer to the printed sheet prior to imaging, the Jet Press can print onto standard offset coated and specified uncoated papers.

Once imaged, the B2 sheet can be treated like an offset sheet, dropping into existing finishing equipment, with many special finishes possible. As a result, in terms of finishing flexibility, digital print can be treated more like offset print than ever before.

“The interest in this press at Ipex was unbelievable, and the conversations we have been having with many printers across Europe since then have only reinforced this,” concludes Masui. “We are looking forward to talking further with interested parties and demonstrating the benefits the Jet Press 720 can bring.”