First mooted in March this year, the two companies have undertaken a long courting process, which was held up by antitrust checks in North America.

However, a statement today said: "R. R. Donnelley & Sons Company today announced that it has completed its previously announced purchase of Bowne & Co, a provider of shareholder and marketing communications services."

The all-cash deal is valued at around $481m, or $11.50 per share and will combine RR Donnelley's current $2.5bn turnover with Bowne's $675m.

It is unclear at this stage how the UK arms of each business will continue. RR Donnelley has a £280m UK division, while Bowne 's UK arm turns over £20m a year.