"We were struggling with a job for a computer software client and we needed a machine that could up the quality," said chairman Peter Burrows.

The family-run firm, established in 1890, replaced its Heidelberg MO VPH four-colour with the new 500,000 press.

"We particularly wanted the CD version of the Heidelberg but it was too big to fit into the space we had," said Burrows. "But with its compact size and 7 o'clock configuration we decided that the Sakurai was the next best option."

The new press, the firm's first five-colour, will run alongside the firm's Heidelberg two-colour Speedmaster 52 and a two-colour MOS-ZP.

Installation will be complete on the 17 August and the Sakurai is the second of its kind to be installed in the UK.

The firm, which specialises in college, school and commercial work, recorded an annual turnover of 1.2m in 2004 and has 16 staff at its Oxford premises.

Story by Anna Whitehouse