Although the division will remain under the BCQ banner, JollyBig will operate with its own management team on a nearby facility to the main BCQ site.

The operation was launched after the installation of a Canon imagePrograf iPF9000S 1.6m-wide water-based printer, a Mimaki JV33 1.6m solvent machine and a Mimaki cutter.

Wide-format specialist Ian Douse has been brought on board to manage the division along with two operators.

BCQ joint managing director Tyrone Spence said: "We have been in the marketplace previously, but not in such a serious way. Before it was just another output device, but this will give us the 'oomph' to bring in a lot more work."

The Buckingham-based company employs more than 100 staff and has a turnover of around £10m. Spence added that BCQ was targeting a £1.5m turnover from JollyBig.