The British Short Run Labelling Association (BSRLA) has already established its own website, private e-mail discussion forum, and code of conduct intended to promote "ethical, fair and sustainable trade in the marketplace."

According to Dr Adrian Steele, director of Staffordshire's Mercian Labels, who spearheaded the BSRLA initiative, it hopes to eradicate practices such as printers taking on trade work for another printer and then approaching their customer directly.

"To say [such practices are] prolific might be a bit strong but it's certainly a common occurrence," Steele said.

Another cause for concern was the raw material price rises and the association was looking into a collaborative buying scheme "possibly with preference for one supplier", Steele added.

The association's activities will all be electronic and based around the closed e-mail forum and the website, which was built with sponsorship from Mercian.

"We won't be doing golf days or gala dinners that doesn't help us. People resent paying 300-500 subscriptions for associations that do nothing for them," said Steele.

Membership of BSRLA is free and companies can request to join at its website.

The only requirement is that the company is involved in the short-run label market and is prepared to adhere to the association's code of conduct.

Those already signed up include: Lancastrian Labels; Sessions of York; Mortons Labels; TPL Labels; Commercial Label Products; and Easdale Labels. Visit: www.bsrla.org.uk