The family-owned business in Chalgrove, Oxfordshire, outsourced production to local manufacturer Thomas Fabrications, who produced the first batch of 50 over Christmas.
Rolapress is designed to work offline with staple-folder bookletmakers to create a tighter fold for a better quality finished look.
Ashgate managing director John Price said: "It is hard to get a flat fold when the booklet is pushed up with a knife between two rollers as is typical on a traditional bookletmaker."
The machine works by placing up to five booklets or a bulkier book against the lay while users manually slide the pressing roller over the folded edges. Price said that it was aimed at those producing short digital runs.
The compact machine can process sheets and books from individual CD size through to 460mm x 460mm.
Nottingham-based Tompkin Press ordered the first machine at the turn of the year and MWL Print in Pontypool, south Wales, have just taken delivery of another after looking for a solution to enhance the finish of layflat photobooks.
Price said: "I think the Rolapress has a very exciting future in digital print finishing although it is inexpensive at £349 plus VAT.
"It solves the problem of bulky and bulbous spines and gives customers a good quality finish.
"I think there are an awful lot of people who would be very pleased with the results."
Ashgate launches digital book flattener
Ashgate Automation has developed the desktop Rolapress to rid books of the bulky spines achieved on traditional bookletmakers.
