The Bedford-based web and sheetfed printer was established in 1992.

It employs around eleven staff and runs a four-colour Manroland Polyman 16pp web press with inline spine gluing, as well as eight- and ten-colour Heidelberg Speedmaster B1 sheetfed presses with reel sheeting option, and in-house finishing facilities.

It also has two Konica Minolta Bizhub digital presses. 

Lawrence said he had been advised to retire on health grounds, and had been in talks about selling the company for about five months.

“I loved producing the print work, but was told I needed to get away from the stress,” he said.

“I’ve always tried to be gentlemanly about business and do a great job for everyone.”

The business has been sold to SPH 2020, which is controlled by Jayden Spring.

"Swan Print is now our main focus, and we intend to carry on as normal," Spring said. "We're relatively busy at the moment despite the virus crisis, and hopefully things will be better on the other side of it. We're quite flexible on the work we can produce and work for a large variety of customers."

Spring has an industry connection in that he is the son of former Aspenlink CEO Jeremy Spring.

Sarah Lynas, who previously worked at Aspenlink, is also now a director of Swan Print.

SPH 2020’s controlling interest in Swan Print became effective on 10 March.