The 5,400sph press, which was installed at the Dartford, Kent-based firm’s premises in December, is part of a £100,000 investment programme which has also included a Tharstern MIS.

Managing director Roy Risley said: “We’ve always been litho printers and we waited for the digital technology to get to a point where we felt comfortable.

“It was a culture thing for our customers and us, but we have found that 95% of our customers are completely happy with our quality of digital. It’s really come on so we decided we wanted another digital press.

“Our first C901, which we have had for about two and a half years, has generated a high volume of short-run business from existing offset customers and new markets. We can now do runs as small as 12 books, even if customers want them perfect bound and stitched.”

The company looked at other alternatives from Xerox and Kodak but felt that the Linoprint had the quality and reliability it was looking for.

“You know when you are dealing with Heidelberg you will get the right advice and support. They understand the ethos of the commercial printer and can make things happen if anything goes wrong,” said Risley.

The firm also runs a six-colour Heidelberg Speedmaster 74 on its litho side and offers a range of in-house finishing options including laminating, cutting and creasing, folding and perfect binding.

Diamond Colour Print has 14 staff and a turnover of just under £1.1m, £900,000 of which comes from litho print. The business believes it can reach at least £300,000 in digital sales with the new Linoprint press in place.

The firm produces a range of general print including business cards, booklets, prospectuses and brochures for companies including insurance companies, schools and end users.