An Avon spokeswoman told PrintWeek: "I can confirm that, following a tender process, we will be appointing a new brochure print supplier from 1 January 2011. We will not be releasing any further details or comment at this time."

Pindar has printed Avon’s main 220pp catalogue for the past seven years and installed a specially configured 48pp Lithoman with an additional unit for scent application to produce it.

Chairman Andrew Pindar said: "Clearly, we are disappointed to be losing this Avon work; they have been a fabulous customer for many years. However, Avon continues to be a client in other areas of the business and we anticipate continuing to serve their needs for many years to come."

Pindar added that he was "absolutely confident" the group would be able to replace the work: "The paradox of large contracts is that they block out a large amount of capacity that other customers want."

Sources suggest that Pindar’s loss is RR Donnelley’s gain, amid talk that Avon has opted for a pan-European or even global sourcing deal with the $9.8bn-turnover (£6bn) print giant.

Donnelley’s European platform includes commercial web offset printing in Poland, whereas its UK facility at Flaxby Moor is a specialist directory plant. It declined to comment on Avon or on speculation it will install additional commercial web kit at Flaxby.