The family-run sheet music, book, journal and educational printing company will mark the centenary by hosting its customers and suppliers at Stationers’ Hall today (1 November) and holding a party for staff later in the month.

1 November is a significant date in the company’s history, as the first entry into its sales ledger was made on this day in 1919.

Halstan has also marked the occasion by investing in a Canon VarioPrint i300 inkjet press.

The press, which was installed at the firm's 12,000sqm facility north of London in August, is capable of producing up to 10 million pages per month and is certified to Fogra standards.

Its environmental credentials were also attractive to Halstan. The press uses water-based pigment inks so there are no plastics or hazardous contaminants, and it has a certified 100% de-inkability score, which ensures maximum recyclability.

Halstan managing director Alan Harbison said: “The versatility of the press is unmatched. Publishers can use their preferred papers, mix different stocks in the same book, mix mono and colour pages throughout the book and we can print just a single copy to a few thousand cost-effectively.

“The press has outperformed our initial targets, which is really exciting for the coming year.”

Halstan was established by brothers Harold (Hal) and Stanley (Stan) Smith in 1919 to engrave sheet music. It now offers short-run digital and long-run litho production and an in-house book bindery to a range of clients.

Its acquisition of cartography and software specialist Pindar Creative eight years ago means it is also able to offer extended workflow, content and data management, and automated catalogue page building options.

With manufacturing sites in Frankfurt and New York, the company has developed an international profile.