Loader signed a deal for a high-speed Delphax digital web press which he said would be the "crux of the whole business", along with a host of finishing equipment at Ipex.

The press, which Loader said was the "fastest toner-based press on the market", will initially run at 1,300ppm with the option to move up to 2,000ppm.

At the show he also signed for a three-unit MBO folder from Friedheim  International, a Lasermax Roll Systems cutter, as well as a Horizon BQ-270 perfect binder and Horizon HT-70 three-knife trimmer, both of which are supplied by Graphic Arts Equipment.

"[The Delphax printers] set up in seconds and we wanted a binder that could do the same," said Loader. "Of course, the quality of the finished book is always the first priority, and the Horizon's output is immaculate."

Loader is promising to ruffle feathers in the short-run book sector with Webspeed, which begins production in the first week of May from its 460m2 base in Little Staughton, Bedfordshire.

Focusing primarily on the academic market and on runs of 100-plus, Loader believes he will be able to produce 100 books "pretty close to the litho price of 1,000".

Prior to setting up Webspeed, Loader, who has 30 years' experience in print, was general manager of book printer Biddles' short-run arm, where he worked for 11 years.