The Harlow-based firm was born from the merger of Frontline Marketing and Peter James Printing, which were headed by Jason Woolf and Alan Flatt (pictured) respectively. Both are equal partners in Frontline Stationery.

The Ryobi 522HE B2 press, Esko-Graphics DPX platesetter and Epson 4000 proofer were supplied by Ryobi agent Apex Digital Graphics.

"Not only were they able to provide the press we needed - a two-colour machine that had good enough registration to be capable of producing four-colour - but they could also provide a CTP system in a turnkey package," said Flatt.

The duo's next investment will be in post-press kit. "We're going to Ipex in April and we will be looking at finishing... we need a programmable guillotine now," said Woolf.

Both Frontline Marketing and Peter James are still trading under their own names, albeit from the same factory, but these will eventually be dropped in favour of Frontline Stationery. The new firm has already taken on two extra staff.