The project, which is being led by Kate Ferrucci of Nottingham-based graphic design company Quarto Design and sponsored by Apex, centres on a set of 20 artworks with the theme "Thinking of Homeland" which have been created and donated by Japanese artists living outside of the country.

A limited edition of 500 offset litho prints of each work will be produced at Apex’s open house event, which takes place at its headquarters in Hemel Hempstead from 4-5 October.

The event, entitled Total Printing 2, will feature digital and lithographic print production alongside a range of MIS, web-to-print, pre-press and post-press solutions.

Apex sales and marketing director Neil Handforth said: "We are delighted to be able to provide some tangible assistance to the earthquake tsunami aid effort on behalf of the print community in the UK. Our strong ties with Japan via our long-standing relationship with Ryobi mean that the tragedies suffered earlier this year in the country had a significant impact with the team here, especially those of us that have visited our colleagues in the far-east."

The sale of "Thinking of Homeland" will help to raise funds for Japanese Red Cross and its restoration efforts in Japan. The set of 20 artworks are being printed by conventional litho on a Ryobi press and will be housed in a wooden box, designed by Quarto, which acts as both a carrier and a frame that can be hung on the wall.

The "Thinking of Homeland" prints will be available to order from late October onwards.

Visit www.quartodesign.com.