"They guard against the possibility of the worst happening a debtor disputing your charges," he said.

Allies said that if all businesses kept to the new rules, the industry would be able to increase debt recovery by almost 50% per year.

Designed with printers in mind, the model terms and conditions cover issues such as variations between colour proofs and completed jobs, ownership of plates and responsibility for electronic files.

BPIF head of legal affairs Anne Copley said the terms provided a sound basis for printers carrying out standard jobs, and would help protect firms against bad debt and litigation.

However, she emphasised that the terms were only suggestions and would require slight modification to suit every company.

ICSM has enhanced its website in the past six months, with the addition of more online facilities.

Users can now access a weekly London Gazette service and online debt recovery via its client debt manager programme.

A full range of international credit reports is now available, along with the model terms and conditions and credit application form.

visit: www.icsmcredit.com

By Andy Scott