The machines, which were signed for at Drupa, have been installed at its Oldenburg headquarters in Germany while a second W7250 is set for commission next year.

Operating in 24 countries, the group said its latest investments fulfil its need for "fast and reliable" technology when producing photobooks, calendars and greetings cards.

Cewe Color managing director Dr. Michael Fries said it was important for the group to stay up to date with the latest digital print technology.

He said: "Digital print technology is indispensable for our business and it is very important for us to provide our customers with the latest innovations on the market.

"For the large volume of tailor-made photo applications we produce every day, we require presses which are fast and reliable. The HP Indigo W7250 Digital Press provides us with high-volume production and short-run jobs in offset quality."

According to Fries, one of the key applications its Indigo presses will be used for is its successful photobook offering with more than 5m personalised books printed last year.

"We can now offer a large variety of applications using digital and offset to meet the special needs of our customers. I am sure that our subsidiary companies, Viaprinto and Saxoprint, will benefit greatly from the investment as well," he added.