The Derby-based printer decided to buy the system, which was installed by GAE and costs upwards of £120,000, after it bought in an HP Indigo 5500 digital press last year.

Work from Colourstream's pair of 10-colour Heidelberg Speedmasters and the new Indigo was being saddlestitched on a Heidelberg Prosetter 435 using Stahl folders.

Now, the Horizon system, which includes two 20-bin VAC-Turbo PowerCollating towers, reverse delivery jogger and integral offset stacker, handles the short-run work from both litho and digital lines. The legacy system is tasked solely with long-run work.

Colourstream founder and managing director John Greene said the company was increasing its focus on short-run work because of the higher margins, but had to speed up the finishing to turn around jobs more efficiently.

"The fact it is a genuine saddlestitcher and has a three-knife trimmer makes it so much better than the other solutions on the market. We hadn't realised there was such a thing available," he said.

"It wasn't until we discussed it afterwards that we began to see how the Horizon would be ideal for our shorter-run litho work too… working from flat sheets means no folding into signatures – that's where the real time is saved."

Greene saw the Horizon system at last year's Northprint exhibition. It will also be on show at GAE's open-house event in February.

Colourstream specialises in A5 and A4 booklets for print management companies, local authorities, educational establishments and design agencies. Its client roster includes Rolls-Royce, Denby Pottery, National Trust and Derby College.

The company was founded 15 years ago, employs 30 staff and has a turnover of £3m.