Lawton Printing Inc., of Spokane, has acquired an upgraded envelope printer that enables it to print full-color envelopes, says company President Laura Lawton.

The new printer, which the company bought this summer for a little less than $30,000, will allow the company to accommodate more options in-house.

"Previously we had been utilizing partners to print envelopes, but this will shorten the lead times for our clients," Lawton says.

Clients can have full-color envelopes, color photograph envelopes, or just have their logo in color, she says. Lawton also says the new machine also will streamline the order process.

"If say we're printing a brochure and also the envelope it goes in, now everything is being done under one roof and it's a lot faster," she says. "We're handling things from end to end now."

Since acquiring the new printer, Lawton says the demand for color envelopes has been increasing.

"We can do 100 in one color, 100 in another color," she says. "There's no minimum or maximum; it's all priced based on the project."

In addition to its printing services, Lawton also does mailing for its clients. In 2012, the company processed more than 1 million pieces of mail, and it's on track to surpass that number this year, Lawton says.

The business also bought a new digital press, a HP Indigo Digital 5600, a year ago, Lawton says, which enables it to handle more personalization and direct marketing for mailings.

"The two new machines really go hand in hand for mailings," Lawton said. "They allow us to develop more targeted marketing pieces for customers."

Lawton opened in Spokane in 1940 and now operates four divisions: printing services, NaviTabs adhesive tabs, publishing, and InnovAging, a resource guide for senior citizens.