Rounding up the last 12 months of print technology wizardry

Manufacturers across Europe and beyond have been busy launching their new and improved printing technologies for the wide-format printing industry throughout the last 12 months. Assistant editor, Ana Lambert, reports on some of the highlights that hit the headlines in 2025.

January

Starting the new year with a bang was Roland DG’s two new product launches, with swissQprint concluding the month with its much-anticipated product release.

Roland DG exapnded its large-format printer series with the arrival of the TrueVIS XP-640. It offers advanced high-speed data control technology, newly designed dual staggered print heads and a 7in LCD touch panel that helps automate the printing process and reduce skewing.

Also new from the manufacturer was the TY-300 wide-format printer which is equipped with newly engineered print heads, True Rich Colour 3 settings, and offers two white ink density profiles on various fabric types, and a dedicated DTF shaker oven.

SwissQprint, launched its new fifth generation flatbed printer series with the Kudu, Nyala 5 and Impala 5 models. The models are based on completely reworked machine concepts, electronics, and software allowing them to hit top speeds of 341m sq/hr – 23% faster than the previous generation.

The machines also come with a new robust printer base and linear motors that make printing performance faster and more precise.

February

Starting off February, Agfa announced a new model to its hybrid lineup, the Anapurna Ciervo H2500 inkjet printer. This was said to complement the H3200 launched 2024 and offers the same versatility and performance in a more compact format.

Speaking at the launch, Arnaud Calleja, Agfa’s VP of digital printing solutions, said: “This new addition to the Ciervo family is yet another testament to Agfa’s commitment to continuous innovation and to providing a beast for every need, ensuring that sign and display professionals have the right
tools to excel in any setting.”

Soon after Agfa’s launch, Liyu England released its X Line Hybrid UV Printer to the UK market. Designed for sign makers, print shops and manufacturers, the 2.1m printer allows users to add more print heads, ensuring scalability, and offers great versatility with what it prints onto.

Eddie Tucker, managing director of Liyu England, said: “We know businesses need flexibility. No one wants to buy a new printer every time they need more speed or capacity. The X Line Hybrid gives you control, start small and expand when you’re ready. It’s a printer that grows with you.”

Continuing the launch of UV printers, Mutoh Europe presented the HydrAton 1642 to EMEA markets. The UV roll-to-roll printer is compatible with heat-sensitive substrates, due to its lower operating temperatures. The printer also makes use of AQUAFUZE, an advanced UV-curable water-based ink technology from Fujifi lm, and Mutoh’s VerteLith RIP software.

Rounding off February’s launches, various printing giants grasped the opportunity to introduce their new releases to the masses. The annual exhibition provides manufacturers with an unrivalled occasion to demonstrate and showcase their new wide-format printers to an interested audience.

Epson unveiled its new eco-solvent SureColor S9100 printer. While, InkTec launched its new JETRIX hybrid printer, the XAR320 and JETRIX LXa8 LED UV printer. Not to be forgotten was Mimaki’s new JFX200-1213EX flatbed printer, and it was the first time that Roland DG’s new TrueVis XP-640 appeared to the public at a show.

March

With spring approaching manufacturers, such as Epson, Mimaki and Liyu, saw the opportunity to release new and improved machines for their customers.

This month saw Hybrid Services introduce the Mimaki direct-to-textile and dye sublimation printers, the TX330-1800 and TX330-1800B, to the UK and Irish markets. The printer series offers extensive textile printing capabilities on a variety of materials and are equipped with dual ink set capabilities to seamlessly switch between textiles pigment inks and dye sublimation inks.

A month after its most recent release, Liyu England’s X Line range was extended due to the addition of a trio of new machines. An entry level industrial flatbed printer, a high-precision digital cutter and an eco-solvent roll print have all been added to the X Line collection.

Eddie added: “These machines are built to help businesses enter the industrial large-format arena without the normal associated costs.”

March concluded with Epson releasing the latest addition to its large-format signage printer line-up with the SureColor S7100. The four-colour eco-solvent printer incorporates advanced technologies, such as an upgraded PrecisionCore Micros TFP print head and larger ink packs.

Chris Davies, head of C&I product management, Epson Europe, said: “The SureColor S7100 embodies Epson’s ongoing commitment to innovation and dedication to supporting signage professionals.”

April

The lead up to FESPA 2025 had companies flocking to reveal their new hardware in what was noted to be a bumper month of releases.

Kicking off the month HP welcomed two new arrivals to its portfolio. The only all-in-one compact HP Latex printing solution, named the HP Latex R530, which is designed to help PSPs overcome the hurdles of rigid printing while taking advantage of new commercial opportunities.

The next released were the set of wide-format Latex printers, the HP Latex 730 and Latex 830 series. The new machines are designed to deliver high-impact print quality, enhance productivity and costs for small and medium-sized PSPs.

Daniel Martinez, global head and general manager of HP Large Format Business, said: “It’s the key things that make a difference, from our new colour pipeline HP Pixel Control to the new output platen that enables PSPs to print from the leading edge, we’re bringing innovation in this new series to
deliver unrivalled quality, enhanced production and sustainability.”

Agfa expanded its collection of Anapurna Ciervo hardware with the introduction of the H2050 and the H2500. The more compact Ciervo machines
feature advanced optional media feed guides for precise and reliable corrugated printing, making them ideal for packaging and point-of-sale applications.

Roland DG’s UV flatbed printer, the VersaObject LO-640/300, saw greater precision, speed and printing volume introduced to the direct-to-substrate market. The printer is able to create detailed graphics on media up to 242mm in height, as well as substrates such as plastic, leather, and wood.

A new easy-to-use roll-to-roll printer was released by Mimaki, with exclusive UK and Irish distributor Hybrid Services stocking the machine. The JVC200-160 uses eco-solvent inks and offers features to ensure reliable, productive operation and outstanding print quality.

Arjen Evertse, director of sales and Mimaki Europe, said: “This new introduction provides customers with even more opportunities to easily expand their business with new print capabilities.”

China Print Supplies introduced the ThunderJet UV printer to the UK market. The ThunderJet is designed for multi-layer printing on various substrates and comes with white ink and a varnish option. It is equipped with four Epson i3200 print heads and has a water-cooled print plate that dissipates LED heat and keeps media flat.

Scott Clutton, one of the directors at CPS, said: “This machine reinforces our commitment to delivering the best solutions in every printing category.”

May

It’s FESPA season. Getting the last-minute machines out, Epson, Agfa and Roland DG dominated May releases.

Ever-evolving Epson unveiled three new arrivals to its hardware offerings. The manufacturer released its latest eco-solvent large-format printer with the SC-S8100. The new 64in hardware features an expanded six-colour ink configuration and a new, larger PrecisionCore MicroTFP print head which increases productivity by up to 30%, depending on the material type, compared to the SC-S60600.

The new Epson S3200-U1-2 and S3200-U3-2 print heads offer the same features as their predecessors, but have improved structural design that allows for compatibility with UV inks, improves reliability and durability and ensures a stable print quality.

Agfa launched its new flatbed printer, the Onset Panthera FB3216, at FESPA’s Global Print Expo. The new machine’s heavy-duty construction ensures
non-stop operation, while the advanced print carriage delivers flawless, branding-free prints.

Dieter Jancart, segment manager high-end printing systems at Agfa, said: “This unique press delivers flawless prints across graphics and packaging
while adapting seamlessly to any workflow, setting a new standard for flatbed printing.”

Wrapping up the FESPA launches, Roland DG added a new addition to its flagship TrueVIS line in the way of the XG-640. It boasts of newly designed dual staggered print heads that eject finer ink droplets at higher densities. The printer uses new GBL-free TR3 ink to deliver rich, vivid colour in a wide colour gamut, with a choice of ink configurations up to eight colours.

Ryugo Nimura, president, global sales and marketing division, said: “The new XG-640 is our fastest printer/cutter ever, combining the overwhelmingly high images quality and versatile expressive power of the TrueVIS series with our pioneering print/cut technology.”

June

Shaking out of the post-FESPA lull, manufacturers such as, InkTec, Kongsberg and MH+P kept the industry’s technology advances alive with new
releases and launches.

InkTec added to its line of UV flatbed printers with the new UV6090. Though compact, it can handle media up to 600x900mm with print speeds of up to 7.52m sq/hr. The machine is also said to be used among a variety of different substrates, such as, glass, metal, acrylic, PVC, leather and even wood.

The Entro digital cutting tables launched by Kongsberg Precision Cutting Systems, are entry-level apparatus designed for sign makers and packaging converters. The Entro 20 is equipped with a preconfigured FlexiHead toolhead and purpose-built for cutting and creasing in light production environments. The Entro 24 builds on the core strengths on the 20, but has a powerful milling functionality supported by a 1kW MultiCUT spindle, conveyor belt system for automated industrial 25L vacuum for more demanding rigid applications such as corrugated plastic (up to 10mm thick), acrylic panels and plywood.

Newly unveiled from MH+P Technology was the MHP PosterRoller, engineered specifically for the prevention of dents in stiffer papers and foils.
The machines have been successfully tested on substrates from 80 to 550gsm, including various papers, foils and textiles.

July

This month highlighted the developments made in all-in-one technology and dye sublimation, with releases from technology titans Roland DG and
Mutoh.

The DIMENSE DA-640 by Roland DG is built around three integrated elements: newly developed print heads, structural ink that defines where embossing appears on the print and specialised media, which expands up to 2mm in thickness when exposed to heat, bringing the texture to life. The machine eliminates the limitations of pre-fabricated materials and inventory heavy workflows by enabling dynamic, customisable output with full-colour CMYK printing and precision embossing.

Concluding July’s quieter month of releases was Mutoh’s newest dye sublimation printer, the XPJ-1682SR DS Pro. The 64in-wide machine integrates two AccuFine HD 3200-nozzle print heads in and staggered set up, delivering drop placement accuracy at production speeds up to 86m sq/hr.

The printer supports up to eight colour channels and features all of Mutoh’s smart automation tools such as DropMaster2, FeedMaster, Nozzle Area Select, and Media Tracker.

August

The launch that captured the attention of the industry this month was Agfa’s new B1 inkjet press, which promised to be one of the most productive on the market.

Beta testing for Agfa’s SpeedSet Orca was completed following its first installation at The Delta Group. The SpeedSet Orca is a single-pass water-based solution which seems to be the most productive B1 Inkjet press on the market, with top speeds of up to 11,000 B1 sheets per hour.

Martin Shipp, COO of The Delta Group, said: “The press is so versatile that we utilise it for a wide variety of applications using different fibre-based substrates. We can run jobs that we would have traditionally run on our offset lines, giving us much more flexibility on the production floor without compromising quality.”

September

Settling into this year, September saw Canon release its new hybrid printer, with other launches from Mimaki and swissQprint.

Starting the myriad of launches this month were the Canon Colorado XL7 roll-to-roll printer and Colorado XL7 hybrid printer which bring the benefits of UV gel to a new market segment. The new 3.4m Colorado XL-series powered by UV gel technology is the latest roll-to-roll and hybrid printer to join Canon’s large-format graphics production portfolio.

Building on the success of Mimaki’s 200 platform, Hybrid Services launched the new Mimaki TS200-1600 sublimation inkjet printer. Running on Mimaki’s Oeko-Tex eco-passport certified Sb411 inks, it ensures high-density prints that are both durable and environmentally responsible.

A pair of new flatbed models were released by swissQprint, the Topi 5 and Oryx 5, which have been tailored to users with high-quality requirements and small-medium volumes. Both machines are versatile – not least thanks to a roll-to-roll option – and are said to be highly precise. The two machines complete the Generation 5 lineup that you may remember was launched in January.

October

This spooky month welcomed a trio of HP releases, combined with Kongsberg’s cutting system, providing customers a lot to be excited about.

This month saw wide-format printers able to benefit from three new major innovations from HP. The HP Latex FS70 W printer, the HP Latex Productivity Kit and an enhanced HP PrintOS Production Hub, were said to reaffirm the manufacturer’s commitment to mid-to-large-scale PSPs who are under pressure to optimise margins, improve efficiency and expand into higher-value applications.

Kongsberg PCS’s product line-up received a new addition in the form of the Smart Material Handler, a modular, sheet handling solution for the digital cutting of sign, display, folding carton and corrugated applications.

Stuart Fox, president and CEO, Kongsberg PCS, said: “Solving our customers’ challenges is central to our proposition so we are continuously exploring
ways to enhance our customers’ productivity and reduce manual intervention, enabling operators to

focus on more high-value tasks.”

November

Starting to conclude the year of big launches and new releases, November offered new technologies from Azonprinter and Durst Group.

Fully compatible with trunk, large, medium, and small suitcases, Azonprinter’s launch of the new MonsterJet Luggage Edition defined the next generation of Azonprinter UV technology, purpose-built for direct customisation of luggage and travel accessories.

November also heralded a new product launch from Durst Group in the way of the new P5 SMP, a new hybrid LED multi-pass inkjet system. The
system targets the sign and display, POP/POS, corrugated packaging, and display, as well as industrial décor printing markets.

Andrea Riccardi, director of product management graphics and textile at Durst Group, said: “To unlock the full potential of the P5 SMP, automation is
essential. Durst offers comprehensive solutions here – from feeders with buffering, to alignment tables, and stackers that enable unattended operation throughout an entire shift.”

Looking to the future

Although the year isn’t over, taking a look back at what has been released has spurred on an intrigue for what 2026 has to offer for the wide-format print industry.

Whether the likes of Roland DG, Canon or Epson will have more new launches or big releases to share. We look forward to what all companies have to offer for 2026 and reporting on those significant releases as and when they happen.