The move follows Adobe's surprise announcement earlier this month that the Adobe Partner Connection Print Service Provider Program would be discontinued from 4 February "due to membership decline".

Quark, in a demonstration of its "continued support of the print community", launched its special offer yesterday (20 January), inviting all eligible printers to join its output provider program at no cost.

"We are excited to extend our output provider programmes by offering these special enrollment incentives," said Cyndie Shaffstall, director of QuarkAlliance.

"Quark remains a consistent and committed partner to printers. In the last year alone, we have demonstrated this commitment by adding print-oriented, PDF enhancements to QuarkXPress and expanding QuarkAlliance to include an online searchable directory."

Adobe Partner Connection members are entitled to a one-year free enrollment in the QuarkAlliance program as an authorised partner, while existing QuarkAlliance members can claim a one year free re-enrollment.

Benefits of the scheme include priority technical support, a free copy of QuarkXPress 8, "increased market visibility and potential revenue opportunities".