The new Xeikon, which replaces one of the company's existing 330 engines, means digital output now makes up about 60% of the Wolverhampton-based printer's turnover.

According to managing director Simon Smith, the label printer has demonstrated consistent growth in the digital label arena, a move that inspired this latest investment.

"It's a natural progression. It also demonstrates our desire to continually invest in the very best label production equipment," he added.

Despite investing during a recession, Smith said he felt the company was weathering the storm by increasing the 17-staff company's capabilities and boosting its capacity for short-run work.

The Xeikon 3000 offers top printing speeds of 9.6m a minute at resolutions of 1,200dpi. With this resolution, the 3000 provides higher print quality than that produced on the company's existing 330 machines, which offered a maximum of 600dpi.

"It images to a higher resolution at 1,200dpi and produces even more reliable, consistent colour quality over a wider colour gamut," Smith said.

The new machine can also handle a wide range of substrates, including self-adhesive films, opaque foils and textile transfers.