The body's Economy Survey predicts many such companies are expecting double-digit growth with a quarter saying that sales in Q4 2010 exceeded figures from the same period in 2009.

The research, carried out by InfoTrends, polled 432 respondents from around the globe with around half from printers, and the remainder resellers or manufacturers.

The results showed that concerns around the environment were coming to the fore, as economic worries waned. For many, this included investments in reducing solvent use and some 13.5% of respondents were also looking to switch to green energy use.

Respondents also reported growing interest in technologies such as QR codes from clients, although half of respondents said they currently lacked the capabilities to offer this.

Fespa sales and marketing director Marcus Timson said: "[The survey] makes invigorating reading for our community. It shows an industry emerging with determination from the downturn, planning for growth, and anticipating and addressing shifts in customer demand".