The Harlow, Essex-based company believes the machine will enable it to offer the fastest and most competitive display print service to the retail market, challenging offset-produced work and allowing it to win work back from Asian suppliers.

"We are promoting the benefits to customers to persuade them to switch from litho," said joint managing director Neil Parker.

"Customers are starting to realise the environmental, time and cost benefits of printing directly onto substrates and we are expanding our customer base as a result."

The firm has taken a CMYK plus white version of the 250sqm per hour machine, which can produce 50 1.6x3.2m sheets per hour.

"Because we can produce more work in less time, cost of production has been cut and we can pass the savings on to our customers," said Parker. "It represents a step change for our business."

Its print quality has opened up new markets for the firm in retail and fashion display.

"The white capability is important and the gloss is fantastic," according to production director Peter Clark. "We expect the percentage of gloss jobs to increase as people see the results."

The Onset S20 joins two existing Inca machines, a Columbia Turbo and a Spyder 320, as well as screen print presses at the group, which provide design, print and manufacturing of 3D PoP for European retailers.

Customers of the 280-staff firm include supermarket Tesco, for which the firm produces signage at 700 UK stores.