The HC5000 full-colour A3 ink-jet printer produces letterheads, manuals and research reports for the Commons and Lords at 105 A4 sheets a minute, around 250,000pp a month.

"The benefit is twofold," said Riso UK managing director Richard Thompson. "The kit allows print departments to save up to 75% of the cost per print compared to a traditional colour copier.

"Savings are at such a level that the investment has a payback sometimes of fewer than six months."

The Vote Office Print Services department had expanded into colour, he said, adding that cost per print worked out at 2p.

Riso said the HC5000 allowed users to benefit from fast and affordable colour printing.

It was first shown at Drupa 2004 and launched here just six months ago. Philip Willems, business manager for colour, said Riso had sold 35 machines in the UK, costing just under 30,000 each, which he called a "quantum leap."

Story by Jez Abbott