According to the industry body, Dotgain.org will "help lead the way forward in the modern, multichannel media landscape".

Headed up by former Lorien Unique technical director Tony Hodgson, the initiative will offer a range of services, including training, consultancy and networking.

Michael Johnson, chief executive of the BPIF, said that Dotgain.org offered a "meeting place for printers and creatives to interact and support each other".

"Digital technology has changed the face of all media, including print. In order to survive, all parties involved must adapt and focus on customers' changing needs," he added.

Hodgson, who takes the official title of programme manager, said the timing of the launch was prescient as it comes at a time when the world is emerging from a recession that will change the face of print.

"In previous recessions, print has been seen as a bellweather for the economy, emerging in its previous form as the economy recovers," he said.

"This time around, print will not be the same. The onward march of the digital world is having a profound impact and printers are reinventing the way they work."

The initiative is targeting printers, digital agencies and  their clients. Mem­bership for the smallest companies will be "less than £500" per year, rising to £2,000 per year, dependent on turnover.

Members of the scheme will also be given free access to the US digital print association PODi.