The company replaced its Fujifilm Violet Luxel V8 with a Screen Platerite HD 8900S last month, which produces plates faster and uses Lo-Chem reduced chemistry.

The new thermal system produces can output up to 40 plates an hour.

Micropress, which specialises in both litho and digital printing, has also spent around £260,000 on solar panels and energy efficient lighting, which are still in the process of being installed.

Sales executive Rob Cross said that the eco-friendly additions to the plant would help the company in its strategy to become more energy efficient while also generating significant cost savings on bills.

The printer has also installed a waste extraction system for all bindery machinery in partnership with its waste removal supplier and additional fencing around the site for security purposes.

The investments add to the £4.5m spent on relocating from Halesworth to Reydon in Suffolk last November and kitting out the new facility with Heidelberg print and finishing equipment.

In the first year at the new site, Micropress has grown its turnover by around 10% to £11m, and is aiming for even higher income in the future as it targets new markets with an upcoming £37,000 web-to-print platform.

The website, which is being developed and expected to be ready by the end of the year, will incorporate a bespoke web-to-print service that Cross said will help Micropress to target niche areas of business.

"By developing our own system, we can tailor it to our own needs and offerings. Web-to-print is the way the industry is going," he said.