DURST X P5 X LAUNCH

Durst introduces P5 X ‘true flatbed’ at global launch in Brixen, Italy

The newly launched P5 X flatbed roll-to-roll printer is a testament of Durst’s commitment to continuous growth in the large-format printing sector

Durst has launched the P5 X –a ‘true flatbed’ with roll-to-roll capability to fill a mid-market position in the company’s P5 large-format printing portfolio of products.

The Durst P5 X aims to meet the demands of mid-range large-format printing with exceptional quality and efficiency

Speaking at a media launch at the company’s head office in Brixen, Italy, Durst CEO and co-owner, Christoph Gamper said the P5 X is a long-awaited and important addition to the P5 range of products that will allow the Durst brand to compete specifically within the ‘true flatbed’ category.

Andrea Riccardi with the new Durst P5 X

“The P5 X is a testament to our commitment to continuous growth in the large-format printing (LFP) sector,” Gamper said.

“We continue to push boundaries with the new technologies, expanding our capabilities to meet our customers’ evolving needs. The P5 X, proudly ‘Made in Durst’, reflects our dedication to innovation, quality, and reliability showcasing the best of what Durst stands for.”

The Durst P5 X combines the best of ‘true flatbed’ and roll-to-roll printing

Durst head of product development, Andrea Riccardi, said he believes the P5 X will be of interest to small, medium, and high-end customers.

“I am proud and excited about the P5 X because this is the first time we have presented a true flatbed printer manufactured by Durst. The launch of the P5 X gives Durst a complete 360 portfolio for hybrid printing,” he said.

Andrea Riccardi examines the key factors for a flatbed

“The market for P5 X sales is not about the size of the customer, as we know many of our customers have flatbed printers to satisfy certain types of production as well as special applications.

Durst Oceania’s Matt Ashman at the launch of the P5 X

“Since 2018, we have scaled up the P5 range from the P5 350 up to the P5 Super Multi-Pass (SMP) in order to have faster and faster machines. The SMP is the fastest machine in our portfolio and we see this as the alternative to single pass UV at the top end of the market.

“Now with the P5 X, we can almost complete the P5 portfolio. This product will be targeted at the mid-market,” said Riccardi, who openly identified swissQprint as a direct competitor for the new P5 X.

(l-r) Durst’s Wolfgang Knotz, Christoph Gamper, Christian Harder and Andrea Riccardi with the media at the P5 X launch in Brixen

Gamper also addressed the expected direct competition in the market with swissQprint and provided more clarity on the positioning of the newly launched product, which will represent the entrylevel of the P5 category.

Andrea Riccardi (left) and Matt Ashman (second from left) at the first public viewing of the P5 X at the Durst demonstration centre at its Brixen headquarters

“The P5 range is an ecosystem – it is not a single product. Many of our customers in the printing community will need this ‘entry-level’ flatbed. We will obviously cross paths with companies like swissQprint and other companies, but I don’t care about the competition as we have our spot [in the market],” Gamper said.

Durst welcomed journalists from all over the world for the launch of the P5 X at its head office at Brixen in Italy

“This will allow customers – who are not currently Durst customers – to enter into the Durst world, allowing them to scale up like a lot of other companies that have grown with us after starting off with just one machine.”

Durst Oceania managing director Matt Ashman said he is looking forward to being able to offer customers this product and has already started to receive interest from Australian printers.

Samples printed on the Durst P5 X confirmed versatility of the ‘true flatbed’ with roll-to-roll capabilities during the global media event

“The P5 X complements the other products in the P5 portfolio and is the true flatbed machine that everyone has been asking for from Durst for some time,” Ashman said.

“The market needs a machine like this with the flexibility, reliability, and functionality that Durst customers have come to expect.”

Durst expands into mid-range, large format printing with the newly launched P5 X

The P5 X will continue to utilise Ricoh Gen 5 printheads like the other products in the P5 range, and is designed for highend applications such as bespoke visual communications, large scale decoration and speciality packaging.

“The P5 X is built to meet the highest standards while also being accessible to those wanting to enter the ‘Champions League’ of printing,” the company said.

Samples from the Durst P5 X show a variety of unique effects and raised printing techniques available

Riccardi said the P5 X was a passion project of his and represents the perfect blend of advanced features and accessibility.

“The P5 platform integrates highend systems, hybrid solutions, and comprehensive software, service, and ink solutions. With the P5 X, Durst introduces a true flatbed printer with roll options, sharing the benefits of the entire P5 platform,” Riccardi said.

(l-r) Christian Harder, Christoph Gamper, and Andrea Riccardi address the press at the launch

“The P5 X is built with operator convenience in mind. Its ergonomic design minimises outer edges, allowing boards to be loaded and unloaded comfortably in an upright position. Safety features include a light curtain on the print carriage that slows down the printing in case of interruption, ensuring maximum safety. The P5 X also includes user-friendly LED indicators that show the correct positioning for boards and identify which vacuum rows should be activated. Magnetic pins are easy to mount, streamlining the entire setup process.”