Docklands-based DG3 said that it had invested in the press to complement its other digital printers, which include two Xerox iGen colour presses and several other mono machines.

The Indigo 5000 is being used for products including personalised fund reports, financial research work and short-run commercial printing.

DG3 operations director John Macdonald said: "DPM sourced a machine and we visited their factory in Westerham to see it in action. An HP-trained demonstrator was on hand and we were able to run the full range of test jobs that we took there to assist in our evaluation.

"We were also presented with a full history of the machine supplied by HP. The Indigo complements the other digital products that we employ extremely well."

HP is providing support for the Indigo machine, which is being managed on a click-charge basis.

Macdonald added: "We produce between 800,000 to 1m prints per month on the Indigo so it makes sense for the day-to-day maintenance to be in the hands of the manufacturer.

"The machine had a relatively low mileage on it, and all worn and user serviceable parts were replaced before the machine was installed."

Mark Sheldrick, managing director of DPM, said there was as much demand for used digital equipment as there is for sheetfed litho presses as businesses continue to struggle to raise finance for new equipment.

He added: "Indigos tend to be in high demand from printers and Xerox iGens are also very popular. The manufacturers can be quite protective; however, we don’t see ourselves as competition but as operating alongside them."