UK printers see improvement in summer trade

UK printers saw improved performance during the summer and are upbeat about autumn trading levels, according to a new report.

UK printing firms have given an upbeat assessment of their performance during the summer months.

Responding to the latest Printing Outlook survey from the British Printing Industries Foundation (BPIF), one-third of UK printers said trade improved during the period, while just 11 per cent observed a dip in activity.

The research resulted in a positive balance of 22 on the body's index scale, a significant improvement on the -12 that was registered at the same time in 2009.

And UK printers are also confident about their prospects for autumn, predicting trading levels during the period will be stable.

Commenting, Andrew Brown, corporate affairs director at the BPIF - which was established as a support organisation for firms operating in the print and graphic communication sectors - stated the results were "very encouraging".

However, he noted there is still much to be done as the UK printing sector continues its recovery, adding: "The industry is still trading well below pre-recession levels."