The sixth channel, which was always on the product roadmap, will give a configuration of white plus CMYK plus white, enabling converters to print both under-white and over-white.

This gives a variety of benefits, including boosting the opacity from 65% to 85% in pure white areas of a label and increasing edge definition and clarity when printing labels with white knockout text.

FFEI managing director Andy Cook said: "When you're printing a coloured background with white knockout text, there is a tendency for the weight of the surrounding ink to cause some loss of edge definition. If you apply the white on top you get much crisper, nicer result.

"Also for applications where you want a really 'white' white, you can now print the under-white and finish with the over-white to give the highest levels of flatness and opacity."

The white over-print also means label converters will be able to print CMYK with the white on top when printing on the reverse side of clear label stock, for applications such as wraparound labels on water bottles.

"A lot of labels are printed from behind, where you're then protecting the print with its own stock," said Cook. "Digital has tended not to do that and to use a varnish instead to protect the print, but the whole point of Graphium is to be flexible and to help people to print more jobs in digital. So now with the over-white you can print the labels from the inside if that's what you want to do."

The modular design of the press means users will still be able to opt for a flexo white in order to keep costs down on jobs requiring a lot of white ink.

FFEI has also tripled the maximum print height, from 200µm to 600µm, via an operator-controlled system that adjusts the height of the printheads in three increments to enable the full range from 40-600µm.

"This will open up printing on cartonboards and very heavy vinyls, which again is all about adding flexibility for the user," said Cook.

The enhanced Graphium, which is also now capable of printing to ISO 12647-2 thanks to some tweaks to the calibration routine, is now available for demonstrations in worldwide distributor Fujifilm's Bedford showroom.

The press will also be demonstrated in the US at Label Expo Americas 2014 from 9-11 September. Further updates are planned, including the option of a digital spot varnish for the sixth ink channel.