The web-to-print company bought a four-colour Komori press in August 2009, which will be replaced by the eight-colour, as it was running flat out within weeks, producing more than 4m prints in the first two months.

Managing director Matteo Rigamonti said: "When we realised that low print runs were not low enough – there are many jobs with more than 700 to 800 A3 sheets – to be profitable for digital printing, we wondered if we should check out the offset segment, even though we were not completely convinced.

"We discovered that while digital technology has not evolved much over the past 10 years, the offset segment has made progress. In particular, the Komori system we first chose is extremely easy to use."

Rigamonti added that the press's ease-of-use meant no extra staff were needed.

The Komori 10-colour LS1029 has already been installed, while the eight-colour LS829 is due to be in place in March.

Pixart will remain focused on its core products, with brochures, leaflets and flyers the main work at the Venice-based business, according to Rigamonti.