South London-based Tower Printing, which specialises in litho, digital and large-format print, has also signed for a factory next door, which will house the Heidelberg press when delivered.

Director Gavin Jones said its round of investment, which builds on a new Océ flatbed machine it bought last year, had enabled the company to further expand into the large-format, litho and digital sectors.

"The new Heidelberg is a beautiful machine and the whole investment now means that we are geared up for better quality litho and digital work," he said.

"We really are already extremely busy in all sectors now, and this just gives us greater firepower."

Jones added that the addition of the Axis Control front end on the press would allow the company to print within tight colour-control tolerances.

The Xerox Colour 1000 is the latest in the Xerox family of digital presses and can be used for high-quality work with the unique benefit of digital spot varnish. 

Jones added: "We have been progressively busy in the large-format division. Following the installation last September of an Océ Arizona 350GT flatbed printer, we have also placed an order with Océ for a Zünd G3 flatbed cutter.

"It will stand alongside the Arizona and six HP wide-format inkjet printers."

He said the Zünd would "dramatically improve capacity" within the large-format finishing department and would allow the company to expand the growing need for short-run printed display units.