It is part of the firm's plan to become Europe's premier graphics and point of sale specialist. Managing director Paul Whitehurst said the firm now had a real chance of establishing itself as a world leader in print.

Whitehurst said he saw the move to litho, which will happen early in 2005 as complementary to Cestrian's offering, and "a natural progression". He said he was "doing the usual rounds" and the investment would be "a hefty spend".

The Manchester-based digital and screen printer has tripled capacity with its move to a 7,432m2 complex at Cheadle Hulme, near Stockport and consolidated three sites into one.

The new site will include an additional 2,400m2 of storage space to expand its fulfilment business.

Whitehurst said Cestrian had needed to move, after the company had outgrown its Hazel Grove premises. Staff will grow from 85 to 110 by the end of the year.

Investment has also been made in new digital equipment, including the latest Inca Columbia Turbo that joined the Columbia installed last March, the first in the UK.

It is also set to be one of the first UK users of the NUR Expedio 5000, a 5m wide roll-fed UV-cured ink-jet machine.

Story by Andy Scott