Dunfermline-based Pandaprint installed the EV at the end of May and it will run alongside a Heidelberg Linoprint digital printer and a Ricoh Pro 8100S mono production printer. As the EV is based on Ricoh’s Pro C7200 printers, Pandaprint’s new machine will be maintained by Ricoh engineers.

The EV was unveiled in March and has already been taken on by Slough-based Dynamic Print Media, although Pandaprint has installed the first machine north of the border.

Managing director Mark Wilson said: “Digital machines are often not as reliable as litho, so we thought it would be good to make sure we had a back-up by running two colour machines at once instead of replacing our Linoprint. This means we have the increased capacity during busy periods and makes sure we do not let our clients down.

“Obviously there was some trepidation at being one of the first to take on the Versafire EV, and we know there may be some teething issues. But it is good to be out ahead and one of the first.

“It will increase our offering with the fifth unit allowing for clear or white, meaning we can print onto black substrates, and as it can run up to 370gsm paper we can offer heavier board.”

Replacing the Versafire CV in Heidelberg's digital portfolio, the EV boasts a 'floating' fifth colour capability that allows white ink to be printed onto a substrate before the standard CMYK in a single pass.

The EV can print at speeds from 85-95ppm at A4 size, with resolutions at 4,800x2,400dpi and makes use of automatic inline calibration and inline register to increase stability, precision and quality. It is compatible with Heidelberg’s Prinect DFE, allowing for easy integration into existing workflows.

Pandaprint will use the EV for a range of commercial applications including business cards, leaflets, posters and booklets.

Alongside its digital print facilities, 21-staff, £1.8m-turnover Pandaprint also runs B3 and B2 litho presses from Heidelberg and Komori.