The VarioPrint iX3200’s high print quality has allowed the firm to confidently replace the litho work, while reaping benefits of digital production, such as printing collated and ready-made packs, according to Tom Lipman, TCW’s managing director. 

He told Printweek: “Using the correct programming, it saves us a lot of time, but the quality doesn’t drop.”

This year, the firm anticipates saving around £300,000 by bringing the litho work back in-house – but that is just the beginning, Lipman said.

“It has the capacity and ability to do an awful lot more than that. I could expect it to produce up to a million pounds’ worth of digital work on this one piece of equipment a year, at the least,” he explained.

The iX3200, which uses inkjet technology to print up to 320 A4 duplex images per minute, is capable of 1,200x1,200dpi, and uses water-based inks.

“Training was good, and we have no complaints with anything, really. But the best thing about it is the quality – it is sensational,” Lipman said.

The machine is TCW’s first cut-sheet Canon, with previous experience with the manufacturer on the company's wide-format side.

“We’re very, very impressed by the Canon iX[3200], and I’m sure you’d find the rest of the market is as well,” he added.

Stuart Rising, head of commercial print at Canon UK & Ireland, added: “We’re excited for our relationship with TCW solutions to develop.

"The installation of the VarioPrint iX will enable the business to drive growth as it diversifies its offering for a variety of markets, while ensuring quality and efficiency remain at the core of what they do.”

It has joined a pair of HP PageWide T240 web presses, one of which is due to be swapped for the UK’s first PageWide Advantage 2200 press in the new year, with which TCW aims to rapidly grow its direct mail capabilities.

TCW employs 15 staff, turning over around £5.5m.