"Everything on the Pred8tor is new," claimed president James Gandy. "We wanted a revolutionary printer in every way, from the mechanics and software to the user’s experience. We wanted to make things simpler without compromising quality."

A unique feature of the machine is that it will be controlled via an Apple iPad app.

The firm claims that the 1.22x2.44m UV flatbed and roll-to-roll machine will be the "first commercially available high-speed greyscale printer".

With a claimed performance of under a minute to produce a 1.22x2.44m sheet productivity will be around 180sqm/hour.

The first unit has just been completed and will be at the show.

It claimed that rivals to the Pred8tor, which won’t be available until the first quarter of 2011, "are still in beta stage after many years with no sign of being available".

Using Ricoh gen 4 printheads with a minimum droplet size of 6pl it has an apparent resolution of 1,200dpi and is said to produce the same quality in both roll-to-roll and flatbed modes.

Future options include a feeder table to enable it to handle larger sized rigid sheets.

Pricing will be between €400,000 and €500,000, and will be sold in Europe directly by Gandy.

The firm is the latest venture from wide-format entrepreneur James Gandy following the sale of Gandinnovations to Agfa last year.