The company reported pre-tax profits of 1.8m ($3.3m), up almost 600% on the same period last year, when pre-tax profits were just 316,000. This dramatic improvement was largely due to a reduction in operating expenses, which were down 1.2m to 9.3m from 2005. Turnover only showed a slight increase, up 94,000 to just over 39m.

Edward Marino, president and chief executive of Presstek, said: "Our first quarter of 2006 produced increased revenue and earnings exceeding our traditionally strong fourth quarter. We increased the penetration of Presstek's digital technology products, driving strong equipment and consumables sales."

He added: "We sold more than 200 units of Presstek manufactured digital equipment in the first quarter, which represents digital unit growth of over 30% when compared to the first quarter of last year."