After investing in a Ricoh Pro C751 digital press in May last year Fine Print found its demand for lamination work increased as its short-run orders went up.

Joint managing director Lee Tilley said: "We didn’t have a way of doing it ourselves so we were outsourcing it. Because that involves a minimum set-up charge, it wasn’t really cost-effective. We thought it would make sound business sense to bring it in-house."

The company chose a Foliant Taurus 530SF, supplied by Intelligent Finishing Systems, because of the level of automation and sheet size. After initially looking at an SRA3 size Tilley opted for B2 because it covered all bases and would avoid continuing to contract out.

The 30mpm laminator will handle work from the Ricoh Pro C751 and the company's more established B2 Komori Lithrone and Heidelberg Printmaster presses. It has a rising pile back separation stream feeder and a suction paper feed head.

The new machine has reduced turnaround times from a minimum of 24 hours to same day. And Tilley says the company can take in more work as it is cost-effective to laminate short runs.

He added: "It turns out we took the decision at just the right time because, since the investment, our suppliers have put their charges up. We had expected to achieve return on investment in 18 months but now I think we will be able to achieve that faster."

The company was established in 1987 by Lee’s father Jack and he now jointly runs it with his brother Scott.