The Attleborough, Norfolk-based firm was awarded an £8,000 government grant towards the cost of the £70,000 machine because of the environmental benefit that the Suprasetter 74 brings to the business.

The automatic platesetter, which was installed in June, replaced a Heidelberg Prosetter, which the firm part exchanged.

The new machine will significantly reduce the firm’s chemistry, processor and disposal costs as well as its use of electricity and water.

The firm has also recently introduced more energy-efficient lighting in the factory and is considering ISO 14001 certification in the future.

“It has made us leaner and more efficient and brought us bang up to date with any software issues we were having before,” said managing director Colin Barker.

“The print quality we’re getting now has improved too because we’re getting a sharper reproduction with the new plates.”

The company looked at alternatives from various suppliers, but decided that the Suprasetter 74 best fit its requirements.

“We’re used to the Heidelberg software, so that was part of the thinking behind it. We also know that its machines have a good set-up and are reliable,” said Barker.

About 600 to 800 chemistry-free plates a month will be output from the Suprasetter to feed the company’s three B3 presses; a four-colour Shinohara 52IV, a two-colour Heidelberg PM 52 and a two-colour Heidelberg Quickmaster. The company also runs a Xerox DocuColor 242 digital press.

The firm, which employs nine staff and has a turnover of £400,000, produces a range of commercial print including brochures, leaflets and POS material for customers based largely around East Anglia.