The installation of the screen press has enabled the large-format retail point-of-sale specialist to turn around an extra 15 large-format display jobs per day.

"The Thieme's speed, quality of print and reliability has made a real difference to our business," said production director Craig Donachie.

The installation of the four-colour press required a 700m2 extension to be built at the firm's Letchworth site.

The Thieme 5070 was installed at the firm four months ago, and is capable of screen-printing images up to 2.6mx1.6m.

"With 80% of our work involving four-colour process printing, the introduction of the Thieme made a huge difference to our productivity overnight," said production director Craig Donachie.

This has been just one part of a massive investment programme during 2004, which has seen the installation of a flat-bed digital printer and a direct computer to screen pre-press facility.

Showcard Print is a subsidiary of point of sale display, retail interior and education furniture group Havelock Europa.

Story by Andy Scott