Available from 1 November, the premium uncoated smooth paper, which is priced from £775 per metric ton, can be purchased in five weights, ranging from 70gsm to 120gsm and sized either SRA1 or SRA2.

Wigston said it is hoping to solve the problem of fluctuating exchange rates, which has affected the UK market and led to uncoated stock becoming harder to source. A situation compounded by the PM2 machine at Stora Enso’s Veitsiluoto mill being out of action since the summer.

“Snowcap is immediately available, which is the most important thing,” said Wigston director James Walker.

“As one of the oldest paper suppliers in the UK, founded in 1932, we feel it is our place to make sure the gap in the market is plugged and people can still print profitably.

“There is a constant demand for uncoated stock, it is a high-volume product used every day by everyone who uses litho offset methods. It is a brilliant, arctic white sheet with excellent runability."

Snowcap is available in both pallets and ream-wraps, intended for a variety of jobs, including greetings card inserts, journals and exercise books. While Wigston’s stock includes many papers suited to digital printing, Snowcap is touted as “especially for litho”.

Based at 3,800sqm premises in Coalville, Leicestershire, Walker said the company is actively looking to expand its 50-strong team. Wigston says that a two to three hour travelling time for its orders is feasible to “the majority of the UK’s commercial populace”.

“Our growth has been sustained over the past couple of years and turnover has been promising so there are certainly plans to evolve the business in the very near future,” added Walker.