Kyocera has unveiled what it claims is "the world's fastest" 1,200dpi inkjet printhead with the launch of the KJ4B-Z series.

The manufacturer's claim is based on its own research comparing 1,200dpi single-pass inkjet printheads with a width of 108mm and one head for feed direction.

Capable of print speeds that can reach up to 80 metres per minute, the KJ4B-Z can eject up to 64,000 drops of ink per second from each ink nozzle.

According to the manufacturer, this results in approximately 330 million drops per second from a KJ4B-Z head with 5,120 nozzles.

The 108mm piezoelectric printhead is suitable for a range of applications from commercial print to wide-format display work.

Kyocera is pitching the printhead at companies producing short-run catalogues, brochures and other marketing materials.

With a 108mm head width, the manufacturer claims fewer printheads are required for wide-format print applications.

Although the company would not be drawn on OEM partners using the printheads, the first samples will be integrated into machines towards the end of the year.