The former franchisees want to capitalise on group buying power and the depth of experience offered by each business, some of which have been operating for decades.

Simon Vine, co-owner of Colour Aspect in Ashford, Middlesex which was formerly a Prontaprint franchise, said: "There are around 70 of us who want to form an organisation, primarily to leverage our purchasing power."

Tony Calmonson, a former Prontaprint franchisee whose Leeds-based business has been renamed Rapido Print, added: "There is already a forum that is available by invitation to ex-franchisees of ODC and people that have been involved in some way with the company.

"There was a meeting last week to discuss forming an association but we have yet to reach a consensus on what we would be aiming to get out of it. There are all sorts of options that need to be agreed."

Another former Prontaprint franchisee, who asked not to be named, said: "We are looking to form a society as we have a lot of expertise between us, and our business alone has been running for 28 years. We are interested in talking to suppliers as a group because we want to get the best prices.

"The people who left ODC have all gone in slightly different directions from each other so the offering between us is enormous."

Kall Kwik and Prontaprint UK franchise owner On Demand Communications (ODC) went into administration on Monday.