The company said that the issuing of 50m 40 pence shares would raise £18.9m after expenses. The shares have been issued at a discount of 12.3% on the closing price of 45.6p per share on Wednesday (13 February), the day before the announcement was made. Communisis shares are currently trading at 43.02p.
Shareholders will be asked to approve the issue at a general meeting on 5 March.
The group said the move would help it "achieve its strategic objectives" and will be used for investment in new contracts and to fund previously announced restructuring costs at the group’s Lisburn and Leeds operations as well as for "small acquisitions and working capital".
Chairman Peter Hickson said: "Communisis continues to make significant progress in growing sales and expanding its service offering. As the communications landscape continues to change, we are the trusted partner to our clients in particular with the move towards more digital communications.
"The fundraising which we are proposing today will strengthen our balance sheet considerably; providing us with further resource to invest in delivering new contracts, optimise our cost base and supplement the organic growth plan with niche acquisitions."
The fundraising will see 37.5m issued through firm placing to fund managers and 12.5m allocated through an open offer to all shaeholders.
Communisis chief executive Andy Blundell said the move would be a great "shot in the arm" for the company.
"I don’t think the sector has done this for a very long time. This is a very positive signal for the industry that there is a willingness of equity markets to back listed businesses," he said.
Blundell added: "This is principally about growth capital, funding, new business wins, expansion, working capital and acquisitions.
"We’ve experienced extremely positive feedback and strong demand for this issue – it is significantly over subscribed."
A preview released last month of the company’s full year figures for 2012, which are due to be published on 7 March, revealed net debt was down 15% to £21m compared to £24.7m in 2011 and trading was said to be in line with expectations.
