The Suffolk-based book printer, which uses a mixture of Agfa, KPG and Fuji plates, is using the negative-working plate for book blocks, colour covers and illustrations.

"What we like about the Creo plate is that it is UV resistant without baking," said Clays' manufacturing director Angus Campbell. He scotched rival firms' claims that Creo's distribution would let it down. "They don't promise without delivering," he said.

Clays was one of the first firms in the UK to install the Magnus VLF machine. Campbell said that he would report to the firm's commercial team before a decision was made about the plate.

Creo UK marketing manager Maria Machera said other large groups were also trialling Creo plates. "The fact that people of a certain magnitude are looking at our plates is good," she said. "But it is a trial, we don't want to be over optimistic."

Story by Barney Cox