Newsweb Corporation, the Chicago newspaper printer which was the first buyer of TKS's JetLeader 1500 inkjet web, has plans for another.

The Japanese maker's US operation has signed a letter of intent for a second press to run in parallel with its existing one, which went into production last October.

Equipment includes a newly-developed sectioning accumulator unit and variable cutoff folder.

The new and existing presses are both to be equipped for variable data printing.

The JetLeader prints at up to 150 metres a minute using piezo electric drop-on-demand heads. The online folder will handle up to 72 pages in five sections.

Printing division president Rod Winscott says actual experience with the press and technology has given them a much better idea of how digital ink jet can supplement an offset operation. "We have the ability to procure new business that was not available before, including small run titles," he says.

"Adding variable printing capability and variable cutoff really maximises the package."

He says an 'open source' policy on ink and paper also helps keep print costs down.