According to IIR, more than 2,250 visitors attended the Harrogate show, up from 1,600, with the second day in particular proving popular.

Figures are still some way off the 4,000 that attended in 2007, although these numbers were achieved in the context of a much larger print industry at the time.

A number of deals were done at the show, with Ricoh, the show's largest exhibitor reporting sales to Platinum Print, DDL and Horizon Digital. Elsewhere, Ace Print Finishers bought an AP360 High Speed Punch from Renz.   

Another finishing manufacturer, Unibind, sold one of its FoilXpress low-cost foilers off its stand; the machine was launched at the show.

Unibind was not the only company to debut a new product at the event: finishing equipment manufacturer Dumor made its UK debut.  

Another UK first was the Creasestream range from Tech-ni-fold, which marks the company's move into machinery production.

AMS launched two new machines at the event, the Speedstar 3000 Label printer and M1 Colour Page Printer. And Technotrans' stand featured the new Basic.r entry-level reverse osmosis unit. Show debutant Videojet launched its latest UV curable ink, as well as a host of other products.

Press manufacturer Presstek and web-to-print software provider RedTie also used the event to announce a partnership.  

IIR's print group director Trevor Crawford said: "At a time when the industry is still facing a host of challenges we’re delighted on behalf of our exhibitors and visitors that the reinvigorated Northprint has been completely vindicated. 

"The new look Northprint was supported by the biggest ever marketing campaign and features such as the Printers’ Profit Zone provided our visitors with business-focussed content as well as the opportunity to see a wide range of technologies from exhibiting companies."