The five-colour press will be installed at the Warwickshire printer this month and will move straight into a double day shift operation.

John Emmerson, joint managing director, said the company bought the press after visiting Ipex and being "bowled over by its productivity".

He said: "We invested because we needed to stay competitive, and just having this model will generate interest and leads. Its running power will put it at the heels of the B1 market.

"Having the two-way link between press and repro will be better for colour management and colour reports, which will help us run to ISO 12647."

The self-funded investment was worth £800,000 and marks the first time the family-owned company has invested in a brand new press.

Emmerson said: "We have never stopped investing, and in a few years' time we may look to buy another press to join this one."

The press will join an SM74-6P and an SM 74-2P and it replaces two SM 74 five-colour presses.

Emmersons has a £2.6m turnover and hopes to increase this to £3m following the investment.

The company employs 24 staff and produces work for sectors including fashion, agriculture and education.

Joint managing directors John and Jamie Emmerson are the second generation to run the company, and have been at the helm for ten years. The business was set up in 1981 by their father.