The Milton Keynes-based company described last month as "very encouraging" on the back of a 7% improvement in its US business in 2009.

Managing director Quen Baum said that the UK results for the month were "particularly strong" and that he believes the company, and perhaps the industry as a whole, is heading back to the growth it achieved three and four years ago.

He added: "One month is perhaps too little to go on. Our focus is on digital finishing and this is a sector that has suffered less than others.

"With Ipex coming up and exciting new products in the pipeline, I believe we can afford to sound a note of optimism."