Ancient House Printing Group
 
 
Our history
 
Our history
Ancient House Press was established in 1845 as a book-selling and printing business in the centre of Ipswich in a local historic landmark building known as The Ancient House. After a period of time the book-selling and printing businesses were separated and the latter moved to larger premises in the town and became the root of the existing company today. It remained there until 1985 when, due to expansion, the company moved to its existing site on the .

The Company was started by Mr. Frederick Pawsey, a well-known local figure in printing circles. He sold the business in 1897 to the Harrison family, who retained ownership until 1971 when the present owners took over. During the 70’s and 80’s Ancient House Press established a very good reputation as a quality sheet-fed printer, whose customers include many local, national and international companies, as well as local authorities, charities and central government departments.

In 1988 a reprographic plate-making company was bought into the Group to complement the already extensive in-house facilities. In addition the Company established itself in new markets by the introduction of a heat-set mini web printing press. Ancient House Press continued to be at the forefront of technology with a further investment of £250,000 in the pre-press area, by purchasing a Galileo B1 Violet Diode Plate-setter. This enables us to go directly from computer to plate. In July 2001 the Company further added to its extensive range of state-of-the-art finishing equipment by purchasing a Hunkeler mailing line. This gives a wide variety of product options in the area of creative direct mail. In 2002 the company purchased a second CTP system and a KBA 10-colour Rapida press with reel sheeter. 2004 saw a further significant investment in printing technology with the installation of a Komori 16pp 5-unit web press, the largest single investment in the Company’s history. It enables the Company to provide a greater range of printed products at a faster rate including the option of in-line finishing. The Komori’s JDF compliant K Station is a world leader in print technology and has set new standards for quality and efficiency. In 2005 further JDF automation of the plant took place with the introduction of a Muller Martini Prima AMRYS stitching line into the Bindery while the Studio workflow was upgraded to the Agfa Apogee X system.

The Company prides itself on achieving higher than ever quality standards of print with very flexible, quick response
manufacturing. It is well established in the centre of commercial printing with a number of specific specialities and innovations in its portfolio of processes.

Back to top>