This represents 60 firms, including some of the biggest exhibitors at previous shows making verbal agreements at least for space.

"Were looking at 10-15% growth on 2001," said exhibition director Andrew Furness. "Weve got some companies that left after the 1999 show and new companies that havent exhibited at Northprint before."

To encourage more visitors from smaller companies, who cant take time out of the working day to attend the show, Reed is introducing evening opening for the first time.