ICSM has formed a consortium together with Atlas Risk, Challenge Finance, Clydesdale Bank, Coface, Experian and Moore Stephens, to offer a one-stop shop for printers' financial needs.

Ian Carrotte, managing director of ICSM, predicted that, with energy suppliers warning of a 40% rise in utility costs and inflation at an 11-year high, printers would find it increasingly difficult to survive.

He said: "We have developed this package with our partners in a bid to resolve most of the financial problems facing the printing industry today."

The Safety Net package will be available through membership of ICSM, which Carrotte said would cost from £75 a year for the smallest companies.

In addition to access to ICSM's specialist printers' credit information forum, members will receive Experian monitoring services, access to a trained credit consultant and free legal advice on debt recovery.

Also included in the Safety Net will be access to credit insurance and finance through Coface, together with on-going guidance and advice from credit insurance broker Atlas Risk. Pre-approved overdrafts will be available from Clydesdale Bank.

Mark Chamings, receivables finance director for Coface in the UK and Ireland, said: "ICSM has co-ordinated the buying power of its membership so together we are able to offer rates that are just not available anywhere else in the industry.

"Traditionally, the risk rating attached to the printing sector has not been good, but with the trading transparency provided through ICSM's specialist systems, we can negotiate financial deals that will be unrivalled in the sector."

Meanwhile, Moore Stephens will provide specialist advice on company turnaround and corporate rescue, as well as a matchmaking service for printers looking to buy or sell a business.

Steve Draine, partner at Moore Stephens, warned printers not to "bury their heads in the sand" when it comes to financial problems.

He said: "By addressing issues like cash-flow or order book problems early enough, businesses can help stop them from escalating and often avoid facing administration and even liquidation."

ICSM said that the service would likely be rolled out to other sectors early next year, such as freight and haulage, and metal stock holdings.

Safety Net, which is due to officially launch on 9 July, will initially target the UK and Ireland, although it may well expand into Europe should the need arise.