GREENHOUSE Graphics is pressing ahead with its green credentials.

The commercial printer, based at Cufaude Business Park, in Bramley, has invested about £500,000 in a Komori Lithrone S429 – the company’s first new press. It replaced a 14-year-old five-colour Lithrone 528, which has been part-exchanged.

The company, which has 11 staff and a turnover of about £1m, has grown over the past two years.

Managing director Ian Crossley describes the press as a “real game-changer.

“It will enable us to increase our turnover by 50 per cent to £1.5m in the next two years and reduce our costs.”

But important considerations are the environmental benefits of the press, which fits in well with the company’s green ethos.

Ian said: “It enables us to totally eliminate spray powder from the factory, print completely alcohol-free and noticeably reduce our energy levels.”

He said that another plus factor is that it reduces waste. For example, when starting a print run, generally it takes 300 sheets to be printed to set up the press, but the new press reduces this to 50 sheets.

Ian said: “From a commercial point of view that is obviously a saving. But from an environmental view that also saves on the use of resources.”

Established in 1993, Greenhouse Graphics uses only Forest Steward-ship Council (FSC) paper, and was the first UK commercial printer to install PV solar panels in 2005 and introduce hazardous waste-free colour printing in 2007. It is also accredited with the EMAS certification – a scheme that rewards organisations for out-standing environmental performance.

Ian said that the Lithrone produces high quality print, but in terms of speed, it performs like a digital press.

“This is on-demand litho,” said Ian, adding that litho print is generally perceived to be the best quality.

“Running on litho presses historically has been tricky because the print has to dry.

“Now with this quick-drying press we can do large-scale and short runs with litho quality.”

Greenhouse Graphics prints several community magazines such as the Oakley Link and the Basinga, using the new press.

“We anticipate that these and many other jobs we print will be produced carbon-free before the end of the year,” added Ian.