Printing.com reported a strong rise in sales for the first half of the year and has also signed a second deal with a Premiership football club to produce club branded business cards for fans via its website.

The agreement with liverpoolfc.tv follows a deal signed last year with Arsenal. In the first day of operation Printing.com had 900 hits interested in the cards over a few hours.

"Its not a major money-spinner but its high profile and gets people onto our site," said finance director Alan Roberts.

Printing.com is also in discussion with other clubs about the service.

Sales for the first half of the year to 14 October were up 48% to 2.9m, with losses down 14% to 398,000. Since then sales have risen further, although the firm doesnt expect to break even this year.

The Edinburgh store reached a company record of 60,000 for the four weeks to 9 December 2001.

"If we continue at the rate we are we will be significantly in profit in the next trading year," said Roberts.

It is about to sign the first firms to its franchise deal (PrintWeek, 2 November).

It is also planning to open more of its own stores in the first quarter.

Chief executive Tony Rafferty said the firm was "very optimistic" about increasing its number of stores and announcing its first franchise ventures in 2002.

Story by Barney Cox