The Portsmouth-based business said it achieved the accreditation to differentiate itself from competitors because, at present, only about 7% of UK printers can boast FSC status.

Marketing manager Ben Adcock said: "We became accredited to open up business opportunities in certain sectors and also to demonstrate that we are concerned about key environmental issues and processes.

"Many organisations have been asking us for months and explaining that we must have FSC status in order to win the print work in future."

The 130-staffed business has also taken order of a fourth 10-colour Heidelberg XL series press, which will arrive later in 2009. It has also become PEFC approved and is waiting for the official certification.

Bishops Printers has a turnover of £11.8m and serves a range of general commercial work, from small local businesses to large companies.

More than half of its work is with trade printers, agencies and print management companies, rather than end-users.