Printing.com has caused ripples in the high street print market by offering franchisees of major chains and other quickprinters the option to buy a licence to supply Printing.com-branded short-run colour print.

It said its centralised production approach would allow it to offer printers lower-cost short-run colour than any other production method and that it was complementary to other quickprint services.

"Ive spoken to franchisees and they are frustrated that they arent offered the service by
the franchises," said Printing.com chief executive Tony Rafferty.

He claimed that despite requiring users to buy a Printing.com franchise, the offer was compatible with current franchise agreements such as Kall Kwik and Prontaprint.

"In no way am I inviting anyone to break a contract," he said. "Im not anticipating any Kall Kwik taking their signs down. Were saying why not offer this service in addition?'"

One source in the quickprint sector told PrintWeek his "gut feeling" was that there would be a conflict. Directors at Adare-owned ODC, the Kall Kwik and Prontaprint franchise firm, are planning to meet as soon as possible to discuss the situation.

Rafferty expects the first agreements to be in place early next year.

Story by Barney Cox