Based in Enderby, Leicestershire, the 55-staff company said becoming FSC accredited would enhance its reputation with existing clients and allow it to tender for work that it may be otherwise excluded from.

Pre-press operative Richard Walker, who oversaw the certification, said: "As well as doing the right thing for the future of this planet, working in a more environmentally aware fashion has tangible business benefits.

"Customers, financial institutions and watchdog organisations have become highly aware of environmental issues and their corporate social responsibility over the past few years."

C&R staff spent six months making changes to their storage and print procedures.

Sales and marketing manager Mark Tebbatt said: "Alongside the given levels of quality and service, the environment is now becoming an integral part of our clients' considerations when choosing their print partners."

He added there will always be the need to revisit the environmental standards currently set, but all initiatives have to have a starting point.

The £3.75m-turnover company is part of the Print People Group and serves the B2B, commercial and public sector markets.