LOD, Israel--Aug. 9, 2004-- NUR Macroprinters, a leading supplier of wide-format inkjet production printing systems for the out-of-home advertising market, announces that beta testing for the NUR Expedio 5000 superwide UV inkjet press has begun at Gescom S.p.A., a high volume digital print service provider located in Viterbo, Italy. NUR Expedio is the first roll-fed wide-format inkjet production press equipped with UV-curable inks to reach the market. Gescom has a longstanding relationship with NUR Macroprinters having served as a beta test site for the NUR Tempo flatbed inkjet press in 2003. The company currently operates seven NUR Fresco wide-format inkjet presses and three NUR Tempo flatbed inkjet presses. "A strong belief in the future of UV-curable inks printing technology for both roll-to-roll and flatbed printing applications was behind our decision to add the NUR Expedio to our equipment roster," says Sandra Paolucci, managing director at Gescom S.p.A. "We plan to increase our production of textile and flag printing applications with the machine - applications that are better suited for production with UV-curable inks," she adds. Comments Dr. Ettore Segatori, owner of Gescom S.p.A., "The unique combination of speed, image quality and flexibility characteristics in the NUR Expedio will help us to attract new business as well as further broaden the range of services we offer to our current customers. It fits perfectly into our business model of high productivity and fast job turnaround." "NUR Expedio's use of UV curable inks has the potential to radically change the cost structure for our customers by providing substantial savings on substrates. UV curable inks can also enable them to use media previously unsuitable for inkjet printing," says David Amir, president and CEO of NUR Macroprinters Ltd. "Being the first to incorporate UV technology in a roll-to-roll machine, and in a superwide machine in particular, is a strong indication of NUR's intentions to take the superwide market into a new era." The beta test phase for the NUR Expedio is expected to last for three to five months with commercial shipments planned to commence towards the end of this year with revenue expected to be recognized during the first quarter of 2005. About the NUR Expedio 5000 The NUR Expedio 5000, previewed earlier this year at both the International Sign Expo in the U.S. and at Drupa in Germany, is a 5-meter/16-foot superwide inkjet production printer that uses UV-curable inks. The machine is the first of its kind; the first roll-fed wide-format inkjet production press equipped with UV-curable inks to reach the market. Its speed, quality, environmental friendliness, and ability to print on virtually any media available give this new superwide printer the potential to revolutionize the wide-format inkjet production printing marketplace. NUR Expedio will print on a variety of media, including standard less expensive uncoated substrates that ensure low operating costs and higher profit margins. With NUR Expedio users can also explore new premium priced printing applications on specialty media. NUR Expedio can print 8-color, 720 dpi, high quality indoor signage for close-up viewing, as well as billboards and other superwide applications at super-fast speeds up to 150 square meters (1600 square feet) per hour - making it both productive and exceptionally versatile. Its multi-roll printing capability even further increases productivity. The inkjet press' use of UV-curable inks eliminates the need for costly solvent disposal equipment and addresses the requirements of environmental regulations imposed in some areas. The UV-curable inks also mean the machine will not require expensive, specially coated substrates for good ink adhesion.