"That really culminated in the company being placed into administration," said administrator Paul Ellison of Hurst Morrison Thomson Corporate Recovery.

The move is rumoured to be part of Boots' plan to use two suppliers to automate the print buying process.

The 2.5m turnover firm, which is still trading, was also hit by sister company Beshara Press going into liquidation in September 2003, which left it with bad debt.

Ellison was looking to sell the firm by the end of July and is talking to several interested parties.

Interested parties will be talking to Boots to see what level of work will be available," said Ellison.