The Berwick-upon-Tweed-based company has bought the CP Bourg BB3002 perfect binder to improve its short-run capabilities, traditionally it has handled longer run work.

Also installed during the spend was a Wohlenberg Golf 6000 binder and a new laminator from Autobond - both machines replaced old equipment.

Chris Hardie, managing director at Martins the Printers, said: "Although we have always done long-run work, digital and short-run printing is also important. The new Bourg will help us utilise short-run work. It has allowed us to move into areas that we could not have gone near without it."

Hardie added that the company is now investigating the current range of digital presses on the market, with a view to investing in a new digital machine during 2009 to add to its digital capabilities. The move to digital printing, and the finishing capabilities to match, has meant that Martins the Printers has also moved into the print-on-demand market.

Clients range from small independent publishers to large well-known publishers. According to Hardie the company prints "anything with a spine".

Turnover at the 40-year old company, which has been printing books for more than 100 years, has increased by around 10% in the last year.

Martins the Printers does all its finishing in-house. Hardie, who became MD 16 years ago, led the company in adding niche finishing equipment such as laminating and spot UV in order to keep everything in-house.