“This gives us something different, the primary drive is cost-effectiveness but it also opens up new opportunities and it is right for us to get experience with hybrid technology,” said Eclipse managing director Simon Moore.

Eight heads are being installed at the Kettering-based DM printer, covering the entire width of the Speedmaster and enabling full personalisation in black at any position on the printed sheet. The total investment was in the region of £500,000. Production will begin in late June or early July.

“Because of where we are in the investment cycle with our continuous-feed presses, this was a good chance for us to get to know inkjet technology,” said Moore. “This enables us to get experience with inkjet and to learn if we want to invest in hybrid or white paper.”

Moore said that the addition would enable it to increase flexibility for lasered letter work during busy times of the year bolstering its five Océ VarioStream 7650 toner-based continuous feed printers. It will lower the firm’s click charges and base printed stationery reel costs as well as offering a small quality improvement through printing the shells sheetfed rather than web.

The Prosper S5 heads have been fitted in a tower before the sheeting unit of its Cutstar reel-sheeter, similar to the configuration used by Anton Group.