The companies have now been branded Colorset UVI London and Colorset UVI Nottingham.

According to Tom Phelan, director at London Bridge-based business, the acquisition of the Sutton in Ashfield business, which had been taking on its subcontracted for the past few years,  offered "great synergies" between both companies.

"With UVI situated in Nottingham this is a great piece of business for us. Giving us a northern foothold, this will be a huge benefit to our existing clients as well as enabling us to expand more easily across the UK," he said.

The acquisition of UVI adds 12 staff to the group, boosting its headcount to 30. Phelan said the £3.5m turnover group is now also targeting the £4m mark in the next few years.

In addition to the purchase, the company has invested in an Océ Arizona 350 XT printer and a Zünd G3 digital router for its London site.

The 3m x 2.5m flatbed, which will arrive in the coming weeks, can print direct onto substrates such as MDF, aluminum, acrylics, PVC, glass, plastic and sheet metal.

Phelan said the combination of the larger flatbed and the Zünd cutter will help the group attract new customers and take on new work.

He said: "The decision to go with Océ came down to a number of reasons, namely the size of the bed, the back-up, the service and the ringing endorsements from other companies."

According to Phelan, a recent visit to Sign & Digital UK helped cement the decision to opt for Océ and the Zund. "It gives us a larger flatbed and will only increase the capacity we have here."

"With that and the cutter, we hope to open up a wide range of new markets allowing us the increase the amount of work we do for point-of-sale and retail clients," added Phelan.