In a trading update released ahead of its full year results the group has reported strong growth in underlying profits, building significantly on last year’s performance of £1.62m.

Meanwhile full year revenues are in line with expectations at £27m, up from £24.3m in 2012/2013, with net cash at £2.6m at year end.

In a statement the company said: “The economy is picking up and we start our new financial year with confidence. We have recruited much of the talent required to fuel the growth expected in the forthcoming year. Growth is anticipated across all of our operating businesses as we expand the range of products and services we offer.”

Across its printed.com, goodprint and smileprint brands sales were up 16% to £9.3m during the period, reflecting the first full-year contribution from web-to-print platform Goodprint, which was acquired in November 2012.

The company stated: “The growth in sales continues to highlight the stickiness of our customer base and the extent to which they are buying more. Average order values remain consistent with prior quarters for both new and repeat customers.”

Across the three brands sales in quarter four, from December 2013 to February 2014, reached £2.2m (2012/13: £2.0m) although the number of new and unique customers was down year-on-year from 18,677 to 14,153 and from 30,035 to 28,819 respectively.

Tangent share price increased 0.38p to 11.63p in morning trading.