In a pre-close trading statement issued on Tuesday, the firm said that it was holding talks with “a number of prospective partners across the EU, US and elsewhere”.

The first overseas master licence was granted to New Zealand-based Astra Group around the middle of last year.

Chief executive Tony Rafferty said: “We believe it’s a very strong proposition for other companies in other countries and we’re confident that additional master licences will have been granted by [5 June].”

In addition, Printing.com said sales volumes had continued in line with its internal forecasts and that results for the year ending 31 March 2007 would be in line with market expectations.

Meanwhile, the firm is close to completing its ongoing pre-media tender ahead of a switch from violet to thermal platesetters at its Manchester hub.