Stansted-based Keyboard Graphics secured the first Scitex FB950 in a bid to open up new applications and allow the company to print onto an increased range of substrates.

The business, which produces work for events including banners, posters, floor graphics and folding displays, was bought from distributor City & West End Solutions.

According to Grant Mahoney, managing director of Keyboard Graphics, the company previously had to print onto vinyl prior to laminating or outsource the work elsewhere.

"Our new printer will eliminate this lengthy stage of production, as it can print directly onto a wide variety of rigid media, including corrugated or compressed carton, foam board, plastics, or specialty material like glass, wood and aluminium," he said.

The 16-staff company has recently completed a job that involved producing two 2x2m circles, which were printed on the FB950 and finished on its newly-installed Zund cutter.

"We couldn't have done work like this before. It's made a lot of what we do more cost effective too as printing direct-to-board cuts out around 20% from the printing cost," he said.

The FB950 can print up to 80sqm in billboard mode and offers print resolutions up to 1,200x600dpi.

Keyboard Graphics' new machine replaces two older Seiko printers at the company, which was established 22 years ago and has an annual turnover of £1.4m.

Mahoney said: "We decided that we wanted to invest in state-of-the-art technology that would enable us to successfully add value to customers’ applications without compromising upon quality. We're investing for the right reasons and to take us though the recession."