The "1st Book" was launched at a customer seminar on Tuesday (12 March), where the digital printing specialist highlighted the range of creative possibilities using techniques such as white ink, clear ink, and raised ink using its pair of HP Indigo 7600 presses.

Samples in the book include special substrates, such as Mirriboard, Folex and Yupo Tako, and easy-to-use colour charts showing the different metallic effects possible using Color Logic software.

Managing director Lawrence Dalton said the firm wanted to highlight the possibilities of its cutting-edge digital printing kit and extensive in-house finishing capabilities.

"We need to get the message over that designers can offer things they perhaps wouldn't have thought possible before," he explained. "We can proof it, tweak it, print it and you can still have it by Friday."

The firm has developed extensive in-house finishing capabilities including case binding, die-cutting, foiling, folder making, round cornering and drilling in order to retain total control of the work being produced and the timescales involved.

"We want designers to think 'I'll give 1st Byte a call' when they have something tricky to produce, or a new creative idea," Dalton added.

1st Byte currently runs a 24/6 operation, and Dalton said the £4m turnover, 44-employee firm was considering expanding its hours to include Sunday working.

The invitation to the seminar demonstrated a number of the techniques being promoted. It featured a "triplex" sandwich of different boards: black and fuchsia Colorplan, plus silver Mirriboard. The printing included white, four-colour, metallic and raised ink effects, an embossed detail, and a "personalised foiling" effect using white ink over the silver board.

HP Indigo marketing manager Julia Cole gave a presentation highlighting the powerful physical properties of print, and Premier Paper also provided attendees with an update on the firm's range of digital substrates and its carbon capture programme.

Customer Juliana Ross, account director at Orbit Design Studio, praised 1st Btye's speed and quality: "1^st Byte are very good at coming up with new ideas about what's possible, including foiling, embossing, and different types of binding such as lay-flat that has really helped us do some fantastic things – all done in record time," she said.

The 1st Book has been produced in ring binder format and will be updated with new sections and samples as the firm develops new technique and substrate combinations.