The south east London-based firm has invested in a Durst Rho 320r, 3.2m-wide machine, which replaces a Durst Rho 350.

"Cosmetic clients, who have been sticklers for quality are now accepting direct-to-media output over duratrans for cost and environmental reasons," said managing director Graham Clark.

He said that the firm, which produces 60,000m2 of duratrans per year, had been looking for an alternative that was acceptable to clients for some time.

"Duratrans is not the most environmentally friendly process as it uses silver and bleach and requires a lot of water, clients have been asking for an environmental alternative," said Clark.

"Duratrans produced on our Durst lambda produces stunning quality, some inkjet has got close, but until the 320r not at commercial speed."

Clark also highlighted the environmental credentials of Durst's inks, which when printed onto polyester produced a much greener end product.

As well as being 40% more productive than the 350 it replaced and offering quality that is so much better as to be "unrecognisable", the 320r can also print onto a wider range of substrates including fabric and produce a gloss finish with no speed penalty opening up a range of new applications for the firm.

Clark said that the ability to print onto fabric using the UV machine also offered environmental benefits over the dye sublimation process normally used for printing onto fabric.