“We wanted to supplement our digital capacity with press technology that would be price competitive for smaller runs and personalised print,” said director Phil Sydenham.

The Wellington-based company runs two B2 five-colour Speedmasters, an XL 75 and an SM 74, for offset work as well as the seven-colour HP Indigo 5000 for digital.

“The Versafire CV is additional kit that will support the Indigo and integrate the Heidelberg systems, so there should be some good colour consistency,” he said.

“It allows us to process some of our variable data with more speed because the RIPs are a bit newer. It seemed like a good supplement to our digital offering.”

The company will also be able to offer customers the chance to use clear and white varnish and neon options, which were launched by Heidelberg at Drupa.

Sydenham would not disclose the cost of the equipment but said his 32-staff, £5m-turnover business would benefit from the faster RIP times and white and fluorescent inks.

“We have seen an increase in digital demand and we wanted to try a [dry] toner-based system that could cover the really short runs at a competitive price.”

Sydenham added: “There is an improvement in quality and a more tactile, litho-like feel in this value end of the digital market. The six-page format means we can produce folders.”

When the Versafire CV is delivered in July it will start on flexible days but could run extended shifts if demand dictates.