released several new machines within the last year. SwissQprint’s Topi 5 and Oryx 5 completed the wide-format manufacturer’s Generation 5 line-up of flatbeds that was initially launched in January 2025. Erskine Stewart, managing director of swissQprint UK, explains that like the other Gen 5 models, these presses offer “increased speed, ten freely configurable colour channels, as well as various add-on options for increased versatility and a rock-solid machine frame.” Topi 5 is the Swiss manufacturer’s new 3.2×2m flatbed printer, capable of producing prints at up to 126sq m/h. Oryx 5 is its 2.5m-wide counterpart with an output of up to 114sq m/h, 26% more than its predecessor model, the Oryx 4. Both models are tailored, as Stewart puts it, to “users with high quality requirements and small to medium production volumes. Hence, given the full range,” he says, “swissQprint has a solution for every size of business.” The tenth colour channel was added for the fifth generation of machines in response to customer feedback and was primarily based on the previous addition of UV ‘neon’ inks to swissQprint’s lineup of ink options. SwissQprint users were finding that they wished to add neon channels, but they had already used the nine colour channels that the machines provided, for example with a CMYK, light colours, white, and varnish configuration. This focus on adapting to customer needs is a core part of swissQprint’s ethos, and the response from customers is of highest focus for Stewart. Speaking about the UK response to the new lineup, he is very positive, saying: “The launch of Generation 5 has truly energised the UK market and marked our most successful year yet. Our customers, who already trust swissQprint for exceptional quality, performance, and reliability, have responded enthusiastically, with many upgrading to benefit from the latest technology.” Stewart also suggests that the upgrades of the new machines have allowed for a wider number of companies in signage, graphics, and the wider print market to adopt swissQprint technology. He comments: “The new Generation 5 platform has opened the door for many new businesses to adopt swissQprint technology, drawn by its versatility and innovative features that enable them to take their production to the next level.” Research and development is a continuous process at swissQprint’s headquarters in Switzerland, where more than 30% of the team work to find further improvements that can be released in subsequent models. As Stewart adds: “Our focus is always on refining performance, efficiency, and user experience. As is our tradition, we tend to share details only when new developments are ready for release – ensuring that every announcement is backed by proven results.” In an increasingly competitive landscape, companies like swissQprint exemplify how a long-term vision can sustain innovation. As new models emerge and technologies mature across the sector, one thing is certain: wide-format printing will continue to transform how we communicate visually on a large scale, blending technical precision with artistic expression. The ongoing collaboration between R&D teams, software developers, and materials specialists ensures that wide-format printing remains not just a tool, but a platform for further creativity and growth. What unites all the manufacturers we spoke to is a commitment to expanding the possibilities of print – offering higher speeds, greater media versatility, longer durability, and more sustainable processes. ▲Demand for more sustainable printing has boosted the use of UV curing, biodegradable inks, and recyclable media 43 www.signlink.co.uk Issue 262 - December 2025 | January 2026 WIDE-FORMAT PRINT KIT PART 2 | JONATHAN PERT
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