It puts the total number of commercial print companies in Western Europe at 66,400.

According to the report, the sheetfed offset sector comprises around 43% of the market, compared with web offset at 18.71%, flexo with 13.89%, gravure at 8% and screen at 4.24%.

The sheetfed offset market is also expected to grow over the next four years, from 1.4% annually in 2010 to 2.7% annually by 2013.

The report says that despite lowering volumes and fierce competition, plate use is on the rise because of shorter runs, greater colour use and inline coating, with a trend towards thermal over visible light plates.

GAIN's report claims the industry consumes around 1m tonnes of ink and notes a trend to have the capability to mix and formulate inks being built into presses.

It also claimed Europe is responsible for more than a quarter of global paper and board production.

The report costs €1,000 (£901) including shipping costs and is available from www.gain-europe.eu.