The new device was installed at the London firm before Christmas, with production commencing on 2 January.

The high-end flatbed printer has a 3.2x2m bed size and prints at up to 206sqm/hour, or 57sqm/hour in fine art mode. It has twin CMYK channels with an additional channel for white or varnish and can print onto media up to 50mm thick.

It was supplied by SwissQprint’s UK distributor Spandex and replaced Tod’s old Impala model.

Tod managing director Andy Davis said the Nyala’s versatility would open up new opportunities for the business. 

“We think it will give us a point of difference because of the creative possibilities of the raised ink effects it can produce, as well as lenticular printing. We’ve started promoting it and have already had some enquiries,” he said.

“It’s also five times quicker than our previous machine, so we can turn things around more quickly and handle larger volumes if necessary that we would have had to outsource previously.”

The Nyala 2 can also produce drop gloss spot UV effects.

It represents a £260,000 investment for the company and joins a raft of other equipment at Tod’s 650sqm facility in Farringdon, including two HP Indigo 5600 digital presses, a Vivid Laminating digital foiling system, Kongsberg XP cutting table and further finishing facilities including layflat, PUR and perfect binding, as well as book binding services.

“Our focus is on fast turnaround, highly creative work,” Davis added.

Tod, formerly Tangent On Demand, employs 30 staff and has sales of around £3m. It shares common ownership with Printed.com, which has a production site in Cramlington.

The shareholders sold their Ravensworth property marketing business to the owners of Zoopla last September.