Steve Edwards, managing director of the Shrewsbury-headquartered company, said: "We believe that there is a place in the market for a CTP bureau that can provide a fast and reliable service, utilising ISO 12647-2 colour management as a basis for product quality and consistency.

"Our research suggested to us that while there are companies to provide 'plates only' in the South East and the North East of the country, there was nobody that we could find providing such a service in or around the Midlands."

Edwards added that while other print companies will provide plates as an additional service, printers looking to outsource their plate supply would not want to place work with a competitor.

Quay 63 is equipped with a HighWater Python platesetter and can supply ISO 12647-2 colour managed proofs via its Epson Stylus Pro 9880.

"We know of a number of companies who are still relying on film output. Film is becoming a rare commodity these days, and users will have to make a switch to CTP in the very near future," said Edwards.

"With most of the country within a two-hour drive of Shrewsbury, we are convinced that we have a winning formula."

In addition to the plate "test drive" offer, printers can also download free software that will allow them to rapidly upload files to the Quay 63 secure servers.