The company, which supplies the publishing and mailing industries with printed films, has installed the machine at its Norfolk plant, where it says it will help boost capacity and speed up turnaround times.

The Onyx press can print at a maximum speed of 365m per minute with up to an 800mm repeat. It has a maximum print width of 1,200mm, can handle reels up to 800mm in diameter and features an automatic air recirculation system.

The machine went online in April. Jonathan Neville, Polyprint's managing director, said the new press had replaced a manually operated Coral six-colour machine. "This is a big investment by any measure. Once we had decided to increase our capacity, it was a question of finding the very best machine for the job," he said.

He stressed that it was important to invest in the business in tough economic times, although he acknowledged that there were signs of improvement in the direct mail industry.

"If you stand still, then everyone else overtakes you," he said, noting that there were still issues with bad debt and suppliers going bust.

But he added: "You have to try to keep up with the industry if it's what your customers require. We do see an upsurge in demand – it's not dramatic, but it's there."

The new press is Polyprint's second Onyx eight-colour press. In 2007, the company spent about £1m on its first Onyx eight-colour. Both machines were supplied by Italian company Uteco.

Polyprint prints polythene mailing films and produces polythene and PET packaging for the food industry. It is based in Rackheath near Norwich. Its mailing house clients supply direct mail to brands including John Lewis and Sainsbury's.

The company also supplies the 12micron polythene bags in which PrintWeek is distributed.

It has six presses, including the two Onyxs, three Emerald eight-colour machines and a remaining Coral six-colour.

Neville said that the group's next investment would be an upgrade to its exhaust fume abatement system.