The London-based contract publisher made the move following long-term pre-press supplier F1 Colour's launch of an offshore service in August with Indian repro firm Express KCS.

The publisher ran initial tests before trialling Irresistible in September.

"After a few teething issues, we ironed them out and are now looking at further titles," said Nigel Mackay, production director at River Publishing.

"Outsourcing offshore is not new, but in the past it would have exposed us to some risk. The way F1 Colour has structured its service, we have the security of a local and trusted account team combined with the considerable savings offshore gives," he added.

"Weight Watchers Irresistible magazine has proved the service works."

River Publishing said that significant cost savings compensated for the fact communication was not as smooth as with a London-based supplier and turnarounds were a little bit slower.

River's clients include Harrods, Holland & Barrett’s Healthy and Superdrug’s Dare magazines. F1 Colour said its link-up with Express KCS was the next step in the future of the firm.

"We’re very please with how it’s working," said F1 managing director Ken Harrison.