Durst Group has launched the P5 SMP, a new hybrid LED multi-pass printer that combines productivity, flexibility, and automation for high-volume applications across signage, display, packaging, and décor markets.

Unveiled at Durst’s Lienz demo centre in Austria on 6 November, the 3.5m-wide system can handle both board and roll materials up to 70mm thick and achieve production capacities of up to five million square metres per year. Built on the established P5 platform, the P5 SMP is positioned as a powerful alternative to single-pass systems.

Field testing was carried out in partnership with Austrian print service provider Arian. Robert Posch, chief production officer at Arian, said: “We have tested over 200 materials in various formats on the P5 SMP. The short setup times and high level of automation help us manage this material mix in practice. With the P5 SMP, we’ve also expanded our production capacities and can respond to customer requests much faster – a decisive success factor in today’s sales environment.”

Durst CEO Christoph Gamper described the printer as a “game changer”, noting that customer feedback from Arian helped bring the system to market readiness. “The response from both existing and potential customers to the P5 SMP has been overwhelming. We recorded additional sales during the event itself,” he said.

Key technologies include the Digital Substrate Alignment (DSA) system, which provides front-to-back registration accuracy of ±0.25mm, and an Automated Corrugated System that maintains flatness and prevents material collisions. The printer supports up to ten colour channels and offers resolutions of 700 × 1200dpi and 900 × 1200dpi, with LED curing and low energy consumption of 35kWh.

Director of product management graphics and textile Andrea Riccardi said automation is central to the P5 SMP concept: “From feeders with buffering to alignment tables and stackers, these options enable unattended operation throughout an entire shift.” Maximum productivity reaches 1940sqm/hr, or 340 boards per hour, within a footprint of just 160sqm.

The system ships with Durst Workflow and Durst Analytics software and is backed by the company’s P5 XT platform for ongoing scalability and upgradeability.