As part of a major rebranding, Pixart.it will now become Pixartprinting, with dedicated websites for Italy, France, Spain and the UK, with a German version launching soon.

The deal with Precision makes the UK satellite unique in having domestic production capacity available.

Precision's managing director Gary Peeling said the companies were still working out the finer detail and described it as "more a subcontracting arrangement" at present.

Precision has an arsenal of HP Indigo presses and a 10-unit Heidelberg XL75, not dissimilar to the setup at Pixart's Venetian base, and will handle the fast turnaround work for the UK, with the exception of wide-format products.

Pixart's software platform will route jobs ordered through the new localised website to the most appropriate production site, while Precision will bring its 21 customer support staff to bear on the project, so that UK customers are confident they are buying through a dedicated UK channel.

Peeling said of Pixartprinting: "I am fascinated by the success of this solution, it runs like a Swiss watch. [It] automates full choice specification for the professional print buyer."

Pixartprinting owner Matteo Rigamonti added: "I am optimistic and believe this is the right way to approach the difficult English market."

The deal follows Precision Printing's recent £200,000 investment in Oneflow, a software platform to allow it to cost-effectively produce ultra-short run work, which Peeling said had enabled the firm to win a £1.5m a year contract.