The press replaces two existing Heidelberg machines, a two-colour MOZPS and a GTOZ 46, and will also be used occasionally to complete work generated by the firm's Digital Pen & Paper service.

The 120-strong company installed the machine last month and it has already handled more than 30 jobs in a 7.5-hour shift, producing commercial print, including business stationery.

BCQ Print operations director Alan Pond told printweek.com: "It's given us greater flexibility, performance and throughput.

"By replacing a machine that's 25-years-old with one that's brand new, it's also improved efficiency and brought with it an improved ease-of-use for the press minders."

The Speedmaster will carry out work created by the firm's Digital Pen & Paper service, which allows clients to use a wireless ink pen to capture and transmit information as it is written on to ordinary paper.

Handwriting is translated into pen strokes and these strokes are then transmitted via either a mobile phone or a PC.

BCQ Print joint managing director Tyrone Spence said: "Customers are not expected to know what equipment their order is best suited to run on; that's our expertise and there are many occasions when litho fits better than digital."

BCQ Print was formed 14 months ago from the merger of Buckingham Colour Press and Colour Quest. It runs a raft of Heidelberg Speedmasters and digital kit including two Xerox iGens and two HP Indigos.