Mark Mayers, a designer based in Hayle, Cornwall, gained his certificate after submitting two artwork examples prepared with the Color-Logic Process Metallic Color System.

The artwork was run off by a Color-Logic-licensed printer based in Cincinnati, US.

Color-Logic sales and marketing director Mark Geeves said: "The programme assures brand and product managers their graphic designer is fully qualified to execute metallic designs and has a relationship with a licensed printer."

Mayers added: "Clients know I have a full understanding of the process. It starts at the design end; the designer controls how metallic ink will look on the finished product."

The news follows last week's launch of Color-Logic's Metallic Design Suite to enable designers to create jobs for its MetalFX-replacement system.

Color-Logic, which was founded by MetalFX developer Richard Ainge, has yet to announce any UK printers that are certified to produce work using its system.