The Eastbourne-based security and commercial printer has supplied Tesco with a tailor-made software programme that reduces hand finishing.

A4 letterheads, information sheets and vouchers, which are supplied by Smith & Ouzman, are being overprinted on a laser printer at Tescos Crawley plant.

Smith & Ouzman divisional director Nick Smith (pictured, left) said: "We wrote a similar programme for Barclays. The software recognises which letterhead and vouchers go where."

The quantity of direct mail-outs is being kept under wraps, but volume has doubled since February.

The Sussex company supplies Tesco Clubcard Deals with vouchers, incorporating holographic feature, invisible ultraviolet, guilloche security pattern and a watermark, which it produces on its eight-colour Muller Martini Concept and Dimuken foil embossing machine.

"A lot of people still think that we are just security printers, but we are commercial printers as well. This shows that we can be very successful in that market," added Smith.

Story by John Davies