The Lancashire-based company said the purchase of the second-hand five-colour press means it can now coat inline and no longer needs to use as much thermal laminate.

This also means that it is easier for the finished job to eventually be recycled. The press was acquired for an undisclosed sum and will be installed later this month.

Managing director Brian Hough said the company decided to become FSC-accredited to endorse its existing policy of using papers from sustainable sources.

He said: "We are already ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 accredited, and these standards have paid for themselves through real cost savings.

"FSC on the other hand is more of an intangible benefit so it's difficult to say yet how it has faired for value for money. However, the whole process has been surprisingly stringent."

Printoff Graphic Arts was established in 1976 and its markets include education, health care, commercial blue chip organisations and public bodies. The 41-staffed company has a turnover of £2.5m.