The machine joins a PSX-56 press stacker and Horizon AFC566 automated B2 combination folder as part of a triple investment from IFS.

The 30m/m laminator comes with a rising pile back separation stream feeder and suction paper feed head, which Aspect Press said made it easy to operate.

Greenwich-based Aspect Press invested in the machine as a "toe in the water" venture into lamination but said that it was now running every day after taking a first booking for 22,000 sheets.

Aspect Press joint owner Lee Master said: "We bought it because we had just won a contract to produce menus for a large company and because they are often revised, lamination made more sense than encapsulation. Since then it has attracted more work."

The company made the triple investment to keep work in-house, which has eliminated waiting times for outsourcing and transport costs.

Masters said: "We never say ‘no’ to work and bringing these process in-house not only makes us more time efficient but also means we can be more competitive on price.

"Now we can control quality and costs and hit deadlines, we are much more confident and our customers are happy that no third parties are involved."

As a result of the investment, in-house work helped Aspect Press reduce its carbon footprint and due to its compliance with ISO14001 it won a contract with a large blue chip operation.

"It is investing in equipment like this that helps us improve our sustainability," said Masters.