The company said functioning with CtP meant it is more efficient in the energy and power it uses in its prepress department. It is also using Agfa chemical-free plates.

The Irvine, Scotland-based company said the investment has boosted production by 400%. Bills for outsourcing and overtime have plummeted, and time making ready on press has halved because of the system’s accuracy.

Co-director of the £1m-turnover company, Douglas Boyle, said: "It is capable of turning out 21pph, so we are easily hitting our daily plate making target by producing 14 plates at a higher resolution of 190lpi.

"This is four times as many as we would achieve with our manual operation, even when we were running at full speed and producing adequate quality."

Brown Bothers produces a range of four-colour commercial materials for large retailers, manufacturers and local councils, and has 14 staff across its lithographic printing, design and finishing departments.