The pre-owned machine relies on StudioRIP software to image Tiff files to film, which are then exposed to flexographic printing plates.

The specialist in single-serve food portions, based in Telford, Shropshire, replaced an ageing Agfa Accuset unsuited to a recently acquired Uteco Emerald 1200mm-wide flexographic press.

Operations director Paul Mainwaring said of the Stingray, which has a 630mm film width: "We might not be a true print house, but print is still an integral part of what we produce.

"Each single-serve portion is held within a printed sleeve of some description and 25m of these are produced on-site via our flexo printing press every single day.

"The recent upgrade in press required a rethink on platemaking. A CTP product might have been ideal but we could not justify the expense for such a machine."

Supplier Marlowe Graphic Services suggested a wider-format imagesetter, coupled with the StudioRIP software, to improve control of the production of files.

"We have now calibrated the new press and imagesetter and are enjoying better results than those from our previous equipment," Mainwaring added.

Andy Hemmings, Marlowe sales director, said: "The Stingray provides a 630mm film width, ideal to produce half-width plates for the new 1200mm-wide flexo press. It was a great opportunity for the business to move forward with the latest RIP technology."

Single Source supplies both the home and European foodservice markets via a network of wholesalers and distributors.