The 380,000 investment has opened up new areas for the 2m-turnover firm and managing director Stephen Clarke said the press would bring in 350,000 of work in its first year.

It has exceeded what we thought it could do and, unlike other presses, it doesnt slow down for board, outputting over 1,000 sheets [an hour], said Clarke.

The firm looked at a Xerox 6060 and a Xeikon, and toyed with the idea of an iGen3. But Clarke decided the latter was too expensive and the others didnt match the NexPress quality.

The 21-staff firm, which operates five- and six-colour Speedmasters, is using the NexPress as a general jobbing press for brochures, manuals, pocket folders and estate agent cards.