Bookings for the Harrogate-based show were badly affected by the economic downturn, which led to notable absences including the likes of Heidelberg, Manroland, KBA and Canon.

However, exhibitors present at the show, including Bodoni Systems, Duplo, Ricoh and Watkiss, all spoke highly of the event.

Ian Reid, managing director of Bodoni Systems, said although visitor numbers had been affected by the drop in dealer attendance, he had still been "pleasantly surprised by the response".

Jo Watkiss, communications manager at Watkiss, added: "There didn't appear to be the tyre kickers you often get this year, everybody was there for a reason."

This sentiment was echoed by the majority of the show's exhibitors, who remained positive despite the drop in attendance, from around 4,000 visitors in 2007 to just 1,600 this year – a 60% drop.

Duplo marketing manager Peter Jolly said: "We picked up more than 120 leads at the show and there was a lot of interest in the new UV coater. I think that justifies our presence."

Chas Moloney, Ricoh UK marketing director, added: "We were delighted with the quality of the visitors and their knowledge of digital print and of our products. I'm sure we'll see a massive return on investment."

Nicky Mason, managing director of Northprint organiser IIR Exhibitions, said prospects for Northprint 2011 were impossible to predict at this stage.

She said: "I think it depends on what the economy is doing and what the print industry is doing. We've always been in the position at Northprint where we've wanted more space.

"I would never have thought that after the 2007 show we would find ourselves in the position that we were in this year."

Visitor reports from the show were also positive in the main, with the only criticism being the decline in the number of exhibitors.

Pascha Turnbull, managing director of Inc Dot, praised the PrintWeek, BPIF and Print Yorkshire seminars, which she said were "very good but under attended".

"I think a lot of people missed an opportunity there," she added.

Martin Taylor, partner at Minuteman Press, said he was disappointed with the lack of wide-format equipment at the show, but added that this had meant he had more time to focus on small- to medium-run digital equipment.

Meanwhile, IIR is pressing ahead with plans for this year's Total Print! Expo, which is scheduled for 20-22 October at Earls Court 2, in London.