The printer's pre-press upgrade follows last year's investment in a four-colour Heidelberg Speedmaster SM52 Anicolor press, which has already clocked up 9m impressions.

Chris Murley, director at the Tyne and Wear-based business, said: "The Anicolor has been brilliant and has attracted a lot of digital work our way... we need maximum flexibility and the reassurance of having back-up plate-making in an emergency.

"It's a vital part of the printing process and having changed one of our B2 presses for a B3 to meet the increased demand for short-run, very fast turnround work, we need many more plates."

Printbylaser's latest Suprasetter was specified with a single casette loader, while its original H75 is equipped with a multi cassette loader. Both platesetters image Saphira plates

The new platesetter has also been specified with all of the Prinect add-ons, including Color Toolbox and Pressroom Manager, which Printbylaser said would allow it to expand its use of JDF/JMF working practices.