However, the company said that the problem is a short-term one and would be overcome quickly.

PrintWeek has been contacted by a number of printers claiming they have been made to wait up to 10 days for delivery of toner.

One printer, who preferred to remain nameless, said: "We will run out of black toner this afternoon. We have a machine sat there that we can't use and we are turning work away."

It is understood that the problem has hit companies in the US and Asia, as well as the UK, but only affects a "small number of products", including the Xerox 700.

Kevin Perlmutter, European head of corporate communications, said: "This is a result of increased demand. As well as demanding more toner, customers are using more – a higher density of ink and more colour on page.

"It is our number one priority to effect a short-term solution and we expect to have the problem sorted in the near future. We have big supplies coming in all the time. In the future, we aim to have the right amount of supply to satisfy demands."