Digital Print Republic said it hoped the Inkchex tool, which is currently in free beta for registered users, will prove popular with businesses using inkjet kit, including wide-format printers.

The digital print online community believes the tool, which works with process colours and spot colours, could help printers get a better handle on their production costs.

"At the moment, printers just guess their coverage and cost – this takes out the guess work," said joint owner Chris Baker. "It’s fast, costs nothing and gives you a little bit more information."

Baker added that, since the site was launched at Ipex, it had signed up 2,800 users from 101 countries.