The Wimbledon-based printer, which installed the press last month, decided to invest in the mid-range digital press after experiencing a shift in demand towards shorter runs.

The £3.2m-turnover company, which was founded in 1896, is hoping that the new press will help it to boost sales by £150,000 in the first year and a further £150,000 beyond that.

Managing director Jan Prokop said: "We are seeing run lengths continually reducing and we wanted to ensure that we are able to cover all of the options for our clients so that we can secure the digital work as well.

"We found that the Ricoh press gave the sharpest text printing and that it was very flexible with the materials that you can use; we don’t need to use treated paper and we can use the same paper that we use with the litho presses. The print also has a very litho look to it and is not overly shiny.

"We had looked at other digital presses and found that some work mottled on uncoated stocks, but we did not have this problem with the Pro C751."

Purbrooks works with a wide range of clients including those in the financial and legal services sector, along with local authorities and membership organisations.