In return, Duplo's finishing products will be marketed as a complete print-to-finish package with Canon's printers across Europe.

Duplo UK marketing manager Peter Jolly said: "We were approached by Canon. It is an enabler for Canon sales, but we would be fools not to mention that it will open sales doors for us too."

He added that Duplo would benefit if a Canon customer upgrading to a digital printer was informed about the company's options, from desktop folders to high-end booklet-makers.

"The main driver of our business is marrying our finishing products with digital printing," he said. "Canon is a fantastic brand."

Jolly said no sales targets had been set. "We wanted to get it rolling before Ipex," he added. "We might talk about targets down the line.

Mark Lawn, Canon Europe's European solutions manager for professional print, said: "Duplo is especially focused on developing UP3i technology, which we see as an extremely important standard.

"We view Duplo's involvement as a positive endorsement in driving the digital market forward."