The Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire-based company is replacing its existing three-year-old Indigo 5000 press – a move it said would enable it to print "beyond traditional commercial print".

According to Terry Walker, Technik founder and managing director, the colour production possible on the 5500 was an important factor in making the investment.

"It was important for us to be able to produce the highest quality digital print and we also liked the press’s ability to run substrates up to 350gsm," he said.

Technik, along with sister company Connekt Colour, employs 52 staff and offers a range of print, design, photography and production services.

The company has recently completed several digital print jobs, including a volume entitled God’s Cookbook, published by The Arcadian Press. The 368pp title was printed on wood-free paper in a run of 250 numbered copies and 50 client copies.

Walker claimed that, with this kind of work, Technik is selling "a concept" rather than a product.

"The capability of the HP Indigo press 5500 means that we can print products far beyond traditional commercial print," he added.

HP's Indigo 5500 press can print at resolutions up to 800x1,200dpi and at speeds of 68ppm in full-colour mode and 136ppm in two-colour operation.