The deal, signed with administrator UHY Hacker Young, gives Tangent access to VLM's extensive web-to-print software for the housing market, as well as the rights to trade under the company's Digital Print Partnership (DPP) brand – a trade digital print service.

Tangent chief executive Nicholas Green said the deal signalled the company's commitment to expanding its digital print market share.

"DPP has enormous potential and we will be looking to expand the service," he said. "In addition, we will be combining the VLM software with our digital print capabilities."

Former VLM managing director Declan Malone will join Tangent as part of the deal.

Green said that the company was not looking at any further substantial acquisitions as it consolidates its operations, following the recent acquisition of London-based agency Lateral.

VLM had a turnover of £3.4m in the last financial year. It is currently unclear what factors led to the collapse of the company.

In November 2007, it became the UK's largest HP house, following the installation of four HP Indigo 5000s.

Much of the company's work prior to the launch of the DPP was involved in the printing of Home Information Packs (HIPs).

Administrator Andrew Andronikou of UHY Hacker Young was unavailable for comment at the time of writing.

More to follow...