Chief executive Tony Rafferty said the full-franchise proposition was selling well despite tough climate conditions. The first operation is up and running in Plymouth.

The high street chain wants to open approximately 65 full-franchise stores throughout the UK and Ireland.

Each territory franchisee is granted extended entitlements, allowing them to develop a network of bolt-on franchises within their designated area.

Printing.com now has 33 operational units and plans to raise this to 60-65 by the end of March 2004, and to 175 by August 2005.

Printing.coms new production hub in Manchester is also now operational (PrintWeek, 28 February).