Print and design group Snap Printing has announced a 12 per cent increase in sales in the third- quarter, and says it is on course for growth of between 10 and 12 per cent for the full year.

The company, which has 23 franchised outlets throughout Ireland and a print facility in Baldonnel, Co Dublin, said yesterday third-quarter sales were €6.24 million.

For the whole of 2006, sales were €22.7 million, a 12 per cent increase on 2005. This year they are expected to be around €25 million.

Muiris Murphy, Snap's group managing director, attributed the growth in revenue to the development of a service where the company acts as marketing consultants to its clients, providing design, print and promotional services.

He said demand remained healthy among the company's clients. "Our overall results to date this year are a good indicator of the confidence in the Irish business sector at the moment.

"Although these are challenging times for the Irish economy, we are finding companies are working harder to get their messages across.

"There is still confidence in the market, with companies prepared to invest in promoting their products and services."

So far this year Snap has opened one new outlet in Wexford.

Mr Murphy said while there were no immediate plans to open any more stores, there was plenty of potential for future growth, particularly in the midlands, the northeast and the southeast.

Snap Printing holds the master franchise for Britain and Ireland from the Australian Snap Printing Group.

Each outlet is owned and operated by individual franchise owners.