The Chesham-based litho operation, which produces commercial print such as brochures and business stationery, has replaced a Screen PFR platesetter with the PlateRite 4300S.

The firm has cut back on the levels of consumables and chemical waste by imaging Fuji Brillia HD Pro-T and LH-PIE plates for its five-colour Heidelberg Speedmaster SM 74.

The £600,000 firm, which reported savings of around £1,250 per month using the new kit, has also bumped its plate-making capacity by a third, imaging up to 20 plates an hour.

Hypa Colour managing director Grant Horton told printweek.com that the PlateRite "has helped cut costs while boosting productivity – it's a great machine".

He added: "We'd previously waste around 20 silver plates a month by exposing them to daylight, which renders them useless.

"We are now able to use all the plates in the pack, and this alone is saving us around £1,000 per year. Costs are down and quality is up," said Horton.