The Milnthorpe, Cumbria-based company has bought a Fastbind Elite perfect binder, a Casematic casemaker and a Surepro laminator.

Paul Calland, managing director, said: "We actually initially only required the ability to perfect bind our digital prints, as we produce a lot of paperback books.

"However, we saw a niche market here because, although a growing number of companies are producing hardback photobooks, consumers have to use fixed website templates and then wait up to two weeks for delivery.

He added that the company had taken a different strategy, allowing customers to send in their files in PDF format over the web with no restrictions on design or layout.

"We will print the books on our Xerox DC 5000 digital printer and bind them using the Fastbind equipment in one to three days, so customers get flexibility, speed and professional quality, he said.

Previously, the 18-staff company, which prints small- and large-format work, handled school year books, self-published books, photobooks, commemorative books, financial reports and accounts.

But with the investment from Ashgate, Cypher is now focusing on providing the casemaking service to photographers and baby shops.

Callard added: "A wedding photo album can cost up to £800, but now photographers can also provide extra hard back copies for the rest of the family at a fraction of the cost because we can give the them contract rates. Baby shops can also offer this as an added value service."

See also:

Start-up business completes £750,000 kit investment


Me and My: Fastbind CaseMatic