Managing director Paul Coulson first saw the device last year on Heidelbergs stand at Ipex. We were looking at that time for equipment that would enable us to offer something different, he said. We will be able to die-cut any shape as the item is printed.

The firm will demonstrate the machine at an open day next month. It thinks that within six months the die-cutter will be used on a third to a half of print going through the press.

In Print hopes to use the die-cutter for items such as leaflets, cards and lightweight packaging up to 400gsm.

The firm is also installing an SM52-2 this month and has already taken delivery of a six-station ST100 saddlestitcher and Prinance MIS from Heidelberg for its new purpose-built 800m factory.

Kocher & Beck UK is supplying dies for the die-cutter.