The British Association for Print and Communication (BAPC) is targeting 400 print-related companies in the west Midlands for the project that may be rolled out across Britain.

We are writing to firms and sending out leaflets for field workers to visit those wanting help, said BAPC director Tony Honnor.

Printers have difficulty stepping back and thinking how could we improve efficiency? The scheme will be extended nationally depending on its success.

Free advice on profits and productivity will be backed up with advice on people management, marketing and customer relations.

Honnor would not reveal the cost of the scheme, made possible by European-backed funding from the Learning Skills Council.

But BAPC business advice consultants would help companies draw up action plans and specialists would pinpoint room for improvement, he said.

The idea is to increase the power of the print industry by making it commercially stronger, said BAPC chairman Sidney Bobb.

Our aim is to improve local knowledge and increase prints national profile.

Story by Jez Abbott