“The online store and customer portal will further support the way we do business and make it easier for customers to find and purchase products,” said general manager Leon Watson.

Users can tap into details of more than 35,000 sign, digital and graphic communication products. Brands include 3M, Orafol, Avery Dennison, ImagePerfect, Arlon, HP and Roland.

Online customers can view products and calculate prices including bulk and bespoke discounts. A 'favourites' list enables customers to quickly order their products.

The site was launched three weeks ago and users can check order history and status, use one-click repeat-order capability and enjoy a wider choice of delivery and payment options.

Watson said: “The website adds another convenient sales and account management channel to our existing offering.

“Trade customers will remain our focus and our free phone lines are open as usual for product advice or ordering.”

Marketing manager Europe and the UK Gabi Parish said: “We already have more than 900 customers signed up to the portal to check their own bespoke pricing, invoice history and of course purchase.

“We felt signmakers and graphics professionals would benefit from being able to purchase products at their convenience, anywhere and at any time.

“It has taken us years from the planning stage to get to where we are today and we will continue to develop the site. A 24/7 self-service portal takes our service levels to a higher level.”

Parish added: “We hope to have 20% of our sales going through the website in the medium term but will still have experts at the end of a phone.

“Increased sales were not the main driver for the portal and webshop: we simply needed to elevate our service levels and offering so customers could order at their convenience.”

In May Spandex added new products for vehicle wrap and interior decoration applications from Avery Dennison, 3M and Orafol to its portfolio.

A month before it teamed up with Roland DG to host an innovation day to woo signmakers, wrappers, printers and shopfitters with equipment and substrates.