Ink Shop Printing has invested £500,000 in a Xerox Colour 1000 digital press and Presstek 34 Di UV in order to increase its presence in the short-run digital market where margins are healthier.

Managing director Stuart Mason said that the change of focus would result in revenues dropping as it is making less profit on £3m than it did in 2006 with revenues of £2m.

 
"Through producing more short-run work, we will be able to get better margins," he said.

The Xerox Colour 1000 digital press is a five-colour press with a fifth colour option, and comes with clear dry ink which allows the Cumbernauld-based business to spot gloss.

"The quality and speed of the press is exceptional, and we purchased it because we were struggling to get work out in time."

The investment has meant the company can now get print out of the door the next day, and it also includes a Presstek 34 Di UV and additional software, including a new e-commerce site, Optimus MIS system and Xerox’s Photo Kiosk Software.

Mason said the software investment alone passed £90,000, but added that it will drive the company "to being a market leader in online print". 

"We'll be using the Presstek for UV applications for labels and plastics, which would mean we can produce print same day," he said.

"As it is short run, it will complement the Xerox press, which provides the micro-run requirements."

The two machines will join the £3m-turnover company's Heidelberg Speedmaster 74.

Ink Shop Printing will also rebrand its business and the website in the coming weeks to better target the fast turnaround market.

"This concept is purely for same day and 24-hour print production," Mason added.