Studio manager Graham Fisher said that the cost of chemical disposal for the company’s six-year old polyester platemaker was becoming increasingly expensive.

"There was also a lot of wastage because every time we started it up, two or three metres of plate roll were used," he added.

The Nottingham-based printer has now reported “double savings” through the reduction in chemistry and the cut down on wastage.

Graham said: "We also had to cut the polyester plates to size for the three different presses. We don't need to do that now so a lot of time is saved and there is no longer a delay in getting work on the presses.

"We run about 500 plates a month and decided going full circle to metal plates would be the most cost-effective choice. The plates run chemical free and can be recycled putting more money back into the business."

CEM's Screen 4300S PlateRite, supplied with an SAL autoloader, is capable of producing 21 plates per hour at 2,400dpi.