The B3 press spend is a response to growing demand from the printer's client base for four-colour work, fuelled in part by a growing customer base.

Martin Gray, managing director at Fulprint, said: "Like every print business, we have seen a growing demand from customers for four-colour work and, while we were able to produce this with our two-colour Ryobi, we needed to be more competitive in an aggressive market."

The 12-staff printer has already recorded a 30% hike in productivity with the new press, which Gray said has changed the business significantly.

Established in 1985, the company handles a range of work that includes business stationery, newsletters, folders, promotional flyers and mailers.

Fulprint merged with another Yorkshire company, Suomi Printing & Design, early last year, a deal Gray feels has broadened its client offering.

He said: "We have profited significantly from additional printing contracts and we have also benefited from Suomi’s broader, national web marketplace. It’s been a good fit."

The four-colour Ryobi 524HE, which runs alongside a digital Xerox machine, can print at speeds up to 11,000sph and handle stock sizes to a maximum of 520x375mm.