The Milton Keynes-based company opted for the Drupa-launched machine to offer on-demand book runs with runs as low as one copy.

The printer invested in the Meteor after being impressed by its ink fusion technology and substrate flexibility, the company said.

It can handle up to 3,900 A4 images an hour on papers ranging from 70-350gsm. The DP60 machine can also output on PVC, polycarbonate, polyester, Teslin, vinyl and PET.

Managing director Michael Costello said: "We may be a start-up, but we're far from an upstart."

He added: "Some people have said that this is the wrong time to be opening a business but, if you know what you're doing and you make the right investment choices, I think there's a fantastic opportunity."

Digital Book Print is a family-run company headed by Costello, and completed by wife Sarah and sons Paul and David.

He added: "We aim to offer genuine runs-of-one with no wastage and that is what the DP60 does.

"Other machines produce a few overs and that flies in the face of the short-run concept."

The company also opted for the Meteor's offline varnishing system, which offers a reduction in waste offered by the U-Varnish compared to a regular film laminator.

Costello said: "The U-Varnish is also so easy to use that even I can run it. We have only four employees and we want to keep staff levels low which is why all the machinery has to be easy to operate."