There is no denying that inkjet technology has moved far beyond its initial niche home-office focus of the early 2000s. In the last decade, it has begun to transcend its role in wide-format graphics to penetrate the final ‘holdout’ sectors of textiles, publishing, and commercial packaging – driven by demand for shortrun flexibility and on-demand production. With that in mind, the modern inkjet market is arguably defined by its versatility and variety of possible options. For the modern print facility, the challenge is no longer finding a platform that simply ‘does the job’ – but selecting the bespoke solution that fits your unique production niche. The latest innovations in inkjet reflect the diverse needs of an industry that now demands both microscopic precision and industrial-scale volume across all print outputs. In this feature, we dive into the machine lineups of four UK inkjet specialists, looking across the entire landscape – including small- and wide-format solutions for print, packaging, and signage applications, with the aim of helping you navigate a sea of possible options and find the technological match for your business ambitions. Systems Thinking Given that inkjet is far from a monolithic technology, with different systems excelling at different tasks, some would argue that a vendor-neutral approach from specialists or suppliers can ensure that hardware is selected based on the user's specific needs. One company taking such an approach is Digital Printing Systems (DPS) UK, which offers a wide range of cut-sheet and continuous feed inkjet solutions from the likes of Canon, Fujifilm, Kodak, Ricoh, and Kyocera. DPS’ mission statement is to remain a “fiercely independent” print specialist that provides advice based on “diligently monitor industry trends and technological advancements from all the major manufacturers.” As Will Doherty, managing director at DPS, asserts: “DPS are vendor neutral, so we don’t push any one particular brand or product. Our role is to fully understand what our clients are looking to achieve and provide impartial guidance on the best-fit solutions to help them to meet their objectives.” DPS’ product range covers all aspects of digital print technology including small- and wide-format, cut sheet, and continuous, with the company also offering ancillary products and services including process automation software, print finishing solutions, and consultancy services for what Doherty describes as “special ops projects.” Doherty provides a detailed breakdown on his perception of the current inkjet landscape. According to his analysis, the Canon VarioPrint iX3200 is still considered the dominant force in the SRA3/ B3 inkjet market, known for its high speed, volume, and 1200dpi quality, though its cost requires substantial print volume. He comments: “In the small-format cut-sheet printing space, this machine is undoubtedly the daddy.” Doherty compares the Canon to the HEIDELBERG Jetfire 50, which “in essence is the same system with the HEIDELBERG Prinect front-end.” While the Jetfire is a new entrant, he expects HEIDELBERG’s place in the market to grow significantly despite limited high-end inkjet experience. Both companies have recently introduced new models in the space, namely the B3-format Canon iX1700 and the B2 HEIDELBERG INKJET PRINTERS | JONATHAN PERT Jonathan Pert speaks to a variety of suppliers and specialists across the inkjet landscape to understand the future trends of the technology IS INKJET STILL BOOMING IN 2026? 49 www.printmonthly.co.uk Issue 359 - March | April 2026
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