The Epping-based company said that having its own CTP system enabled it to produce plates round the clock, and has given it the ability to be constant and in control over the duration of a job.

Managing director William Alldis said: "It has given us better turnaround times in this digital world.

"We were spending £2,000-£3,000 sourcing plates each month, but now with our financial packages in place we’re spending less than £1,100 per month. It was a no brainer."

He said that as control and customer service is "everything", having CTP was essential to achieving these goals.

Within the next six months, Lab247 is also hoping to buy another litho press, either a five or six colour B2 press, and also a large format flatbed digital press.

Current turnover of the ten-staffed company is £500,000, and markets include the leisure industry.

Lab247 started out as a nightclub photography company, and then took advantage of demand for quick turnaround promotional material for clubs and individual promoters.

It diversified into providing print for individual clients’ requirements, growing in "an organic and customer led fashion".

See also:

VIM enters the inkjet CTP market with new plate

Report predicts expanding Chinese presence in European CTP market