Under the contract, UDM will provide all operational and marketing print materials for the two hotel chains.

No value has been revealed for the contract.

Thistle will also use UDM’s E.Quator web-based print management software, which handles enquiries, proofing, point-of-sale, templating and stock management.

Thistle and Guoman Hotels marketing director Iain Richards said: “UDM demonstrated a strong understanding of our needs. We expect considerable benefits from UDM’s technology.”

UDM general manager Brian Dorkings said the company had beaten one of the ‘larger’ print management firms to the deal.