The deal will enable YPS to offer its customers a broad range of wide-format kit. In 2009, the company became the the UK dealer for EFI’s Rastek range of hybrid and flatbed UV-cured printers, but the contract was mutually dissolved in March this year.

YPS told PrintWeek that its latest deal would enable it to offer clients a broader range of machines than before, while its move to re-establish itself as a supplier of wide-format printing equipment is backed by a rebrand from Your Printing Supplies to Your Print Specialists.

The North East-based firm said it will soon launch a demonstration suite to showcase Mimaki kit to prospective clients. It will use the suite to demonstrate the Mimaki JV33 range of printers and the UJF-3042FX flatbed desktop printer; as well as complementary products including SignLab and Colorgate software, cutters and laminators.

The partnership between YPS and Hybrid Services has already resulted in two machines being sold. Display and brochure printer PPD has bought a Mimaki JV33-160, a 1.6m platform for producing outdoor graphics; and Aztec Colourprint has bought its first digital printer, a JV22-130.

Garry Brown, YPS’s managing director, said: "Our rebrand reinforces that we are the perfect specialist technical partner for all those in the wide-format print space – particularly businesses looking to take advantage of the possibilities offered by digital print.

"Resultantly, we were looking for the right partner to provide market-leading digital technologies to our channel. We quickly identified Mimaki for its world-renowned range and for its UK master distributor Hybrid Services, which has the same prominent customer service ethic as we do."

YPS said it would continue to provide service and support for EFI Rastek kit still in the marketplace.