The Stockport company has made the transition from direct imaging following growth in its litho operation, which includes two four-colour Heidelberg Quickmasters and a four-colour Speedmaster.

The firm, which operates 24-hours-a-day, will run the platesetter with Saphira Chem-free plates and anticipates it will output around 2,000 plates each month.

Paragon Printing managing director Alan Marshall said: "We were a Direct Imaging technology user but we have grown our litho side and today it makes sense to use a reliable CTP system which can produce metal plates for all our machines."

He added: "CTP gives you a first generation dot and with the Suprasetter you have the option of running processless."

Paragon has specified the Suprasetter with cassette loading, which will allow the printer to pre-load up to 100 plates, leaving the machine to output unmanned.

Marshall said: "We operate 24-hours-a-day and having the cassette loading device means we have a night shift with no labour costs at all."