The B3 press, supplied by Apex Digital Graphics, includes a sealing unit and replaces an existing four-colour Ryobi machine that was struggling to cope with the change in workload since it was installed in 2009, when just 20% was full colour. This has since increased to 60%.

Sales and marketing director Ben Johnson said: "Over the course of the last two years, we have witnessed an increased demand from clients for super-fast turnaround print that does not compromise on quality.

"Our inability to seal inline meant that we often had to pass print jobs through the press up to four times – four process colours, plus a sealing run for each side of the sheet. This was putting pressure on turnaround times and limiting the productivity of the business. With tight margins and a volatile price/speed-orientated market, we needed to act."

The new press, which was installed at the end of December, impressed the company on its first job, with 1,000 A4 leaflets dry and ready for post-press within half an hour of printing.

Managing director Paul Johnson said the 1.2m turnover company was in an enviable position, having grown the business from £700,000 in 2010 and enjoying a cash rich position that had enabled the company to put down a larger deposit and pay down smaller monthly installments over a shorter time period than the arrangement for the preceding Ryobi machine.

He said the company had spent around £370,000 on new equipment over the past year which included workflow and MIS software that revolutionised the efficiency of the business as well as "a Mimaki wide format machine and an inline Duplo stitching unit. That means we can stitch 144-page booklets which not many others can get close to.

"I supposed you could say we are diversifying into all types of media. We're now producing all types of media, from billboards to wallpaper and banners.

"We put in a mezzanine floor, but it's conceivable we're going to run out of space soon, and it's probably quite a good time to look around.

"But we're not complacent. We'll continue to diversify even though right now we're in a position where we can't quite believe it."

The 525GE press is constructed with a compact format offering a 40% smaller footprint than comparable B3 rivals, with features such as a low pile delivery to save space.

It also features semi-automatic plate changing, automated cleaning of ink rollers and blankets as standard as well software for programming ink levels, according to the profiles supplied from pre-press and other printing control technologies.

The company's next plan is to overhaul its website which has already brought in six new accounts since it's relaunch.

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