The range, which was launched at Sign & Digital UK 2008 earlier this year, consists of four models that have a width ranging from 1.6m to 3.2m, and are available in a four- or six-colour format.

Mike Farmer, equipment manager at Sun Chemical, said customer needs in the market varied enormously – from vehicle graphics and estate agent boards to high-quality POS.

He said it was important to provide a range of printers that could cope with this diversity as traditionally, these types of applications had been served by screen process printing.

Farmer added: "The digital process is now well-established and is very much seen as a complementary offering to allow printers to deliver short-run production economically without compromising on quality."

Sun Chemical said the Apollo range is also priced as an entry-level investment. It said printers could benefit from productivity and profitability as the output does not require laminating or mounting to achieve rigidity and protection for outdoor application.