The Southend B1 and B2 printer has taken delivery of the new model to handle short- to medium-run length work and it replaces an existing Presstek 46 engine.

Established in 1953, the 32-staff company is already achieving output speeds of 9,500sph on a variety of jobs such as leaflets, brochures, letterheads and business cards.

According to managing director Martyn Austin it was important to invest in order to up capacity despite the recession,

"To be honest, we feel that when business picks up again, we will have every base covered to take advantage," he said.

The Presstek will handle jobs ranging from 500 to 10,000 copies, which Austin estimates will cost up to 30% cheaper and be faster to produce on the digital offset press.

He said: "We were well-equipped for very short runs of up to 500 copies and for longer runs more than 10,000, but it wasn’t proving cost or time effective to print jobs like 500 or 1,000 four-colour business cards on a B2 press."

Much of the company's work comes through its web ordering system that offers customers a 24-hour turnaround on a variety of jobs.

"The 52DI gives us the perfect solution. It takes 50% less time to makeready and print on the 52DI versus our B2 litho press. The big advantage is that the plates are imaged on press," said Austin.

The company, which has a turnover just under £3m, runs a six-colour Heidelberg Speedmaster 74 and a Speedmaster 102, as well as a Xerox DocuColor 2060.