PaperCo said Paper-Plus would strengthen relationships with printers but would not “remove any flexibility a customer has in choosing suppliers”.

Brian Breslin, group credit manager at PaperCo, said: “We looked at the supply chain and recognised that a number of factors including overcapacity, outsourcing and the constant pressure on margins continue to squeeze all links in the chain and can leave printers extremely vulnerable.

“It is only one facet of this initiative, but we hope to roll it out across the UK print market.”

The service, which offers the potential for better terms on financing and paper purchasing, is aimed at all areas of the sector, from those trading profitably to firms needing additional funding, invoice discounting or factoring to help them with seasonal dips.

Breslin added: “Given the significant issues in the UK and global banking and financing markets, it makes the timing of this launch all the more relevant as we are looking to work with our customers to develop or maintain long-term relationships.”

The product was unveiled at the BPIF/Print Yorkshire conference in Leeds last month and is a partnership between PaperCo and finance print specialist Eurofactor.