The desktop direct-to-object Roland was installed on 13 December and followed the Dyss, which arrived in September. The Basingstoke firm, which carries out a variety of packaging jobs for a number of blue chip clients, previously outsourced most of its long runs.

Originally outsourcing the print of its samples and prototypes then finishing by hand, Packaging Experts often turned around commissions in around a week. It can now fulfil requests within 24 hours of receiving a request making use of its new machinery.

Managing director Paul Marsh said: “Last year, we worked on a project for John Lewis in Oxford Street, London, and one of our collaborators was using the LEF-200. Having seen what it could do, I knew straight away that I wanted one of those in-house.

“Combining it with the Dyss means we are saving on cost and time for our clients. Having worked in packaging for more than 20 years, I have seen a lot of services being offshored, so it is important to differentiate. I think the way forward is to add personalisation and working on more one-off projects, which our new equipment allows us to do to add value.

“The idea that print is dead has never been a bigger lie, but companies need to be innovative in order to succeed. I want to look at the pain points of our clients and find solutions, providing them a service that is both personal and efficient.”

Roland DG’s LEF-200 UV flatbed covers a print area of 538x360mm and prints at resolutions up to 1,440dpi using piezoelectric inkjet printheads. The Dyss X5-1310T covers 1.3x1m and will run onsite at Packaging Experts in its T-head configuration.

Packaging Experts’ growing in-house portfolio also includes foiling and CAD work. Covering 372sqm floorspace, the firm employs eight members of staff and currently turns over £800,000.

With final renovations on the base set to conclude in February, Marsh said his plans would then focus on raising awareness of his five-year-old company’s services and aiming to be “knocking on a million” in the near future.