Trade Signage: Trusting the Trade

With the variety of projects now undertaken within the display, graphics, and signage markets, it is impossible for one company to undertake everything that is required of a branded project.

With the market continuing to create challenges and project expectations getting higher, it’s important for signage companies to use trusted and reliable suppliers to provide them with the support they need.
In the world of print, bulk and frequent orders can be common for the likes of leaflets, brochures, and business cards. But as wide-format print continues to grow, and signage projects rely on sometimes complex material work, we take a look at just some of the trade suppliers that sign and wide-format print companies can work with in order to win orders and increase output.

Clear Communication

When it comes to offering in-demand products and keeping up with the latest trends, a trade-only company that always seeks to help its customers is Very Displays, which is based in Market Harborough.

As a trade supplier to the display and print industries, Very offers a wide range of portable display products for indoor and outdoor use, as well as an additional print service. Marketing manager at the company, Kirsty Corcoran, says: “Specialising in fabric printing, we’ve invested in advanced equipment including two 3.2m dye sublimation printers, an automated cutter, and improved UV printing capabilities.”

One of the biggest attributes needed when working with a trade supplier is trust, especially with today’s tight turnarounds and expectations regarding quality and sustainability. Corcoran points out that by working with trade professionals, Very Displays can streamline its processes due to its client knowledge and understanding, which leads to smooth transactions for both Very and its customers.

Corcoran adds that the main advantage of working with a trade supplier is the ease and extra routes to market that become available to a signage company: “We offer large-format printing to help our trade customers when their production is at full capacity, or for those that have limited resources. By supplying the full service to our trade customers, we expand their capabilities, allowing them to say yes to all their customers’ needs and requests. This is further supported with our competitive trade pricing allowing healthy margins for our customers.”

Corcoran also points to the fact that companies like Very can hold large amounts of stock which means businesses don’t have to tie up funds and use precious warehouse space to store various large-format products.

Also in the large-format space is RMC Digital Print, a specialist trade printer which provides products like bollard covers, billboards, flex face skins, and hoardings. Managing director of the company, Nicole Spencer, has worked for the company for nearly fourteen years and has expanded her knowledge of print and signage since starting in a customer service role. Spencer says: “We supply print along with the finishing if the print needs to be installed, or we can supply print only and our clients will get it ‘install ready’. We work with other trade companies to help supply services needed such as frames and installation if this is required, but the majority of the time we’re just supplying the print.”

Speaking about why RMC offers a trade-only service, Spencer explains: “We felt that if we were supplying into the trade industry it was important that we were committed to building trust and confidence with our clients. By focusing solely on trade clients, we ensure that we do not compete with our customers or approach end users. Also, it means we understand the types of companies we deal with better and their need for complete confidentiality, fast turnaround times, and specialist market knowledge.”

We felt that if we were supplying into the trade industry it was important that we were committed to building trust and confidence with our clients

Something that Spencer emphasises is that for many trade suppliers, every customer is treated the same, regardless of size, due to their understanding of the industry and how vital all the work is. “We can produce prints that can’t be done in-house or do them faster and cheaper in some cases,” says Spencer.
“We often work as an extension of our customer’s own print facilities, as we produce overflow work or items that can’t be done by the company themselves. By acting as a ‘silent partner’, we help our clients expand their product offerings and meet their customer’s tight deadlines.”

Evolving technology has been highlighted by RMC as being crucial in 2025 and beyond as it can help in not only processing workloads but also providing quicker and better products. On top of looking to invest in a new online portal for clients, Spencer adds: “We’re also looking at new print technology and perhaps adding dye-sub to our UV and solvent printers. Our customers are asking for sustainable materials, so we work with our suppliers to offer those and have the ability to take back products to make sure they’re recycled.”

Staying Ahead of the Curve

The diversity and range of work that can be produced by those which supply trade signage can be vast, especially when you consider the number of products available like flags, roller banners, and café barriers. Another provider of these products, as well as large-format print, is Venture Banners, which is based in Braintree, Essex.

Started in 2009, the company had the goal of making large-format print accessible to every business in the print industry. Venture says there are many reasons why businesses use them, such as high street printers which don’t have the space for large equipment or commercial printers which want to expand their service offering without a heavy capital outlay.

When asked about advice to printers who are new to the industry, or businesses who frequently communicate with trade suppliers, Scott Conway, director at Venture Banners, says attention to detail is paramount. “Many trade printers don’t provide proofs as standard, so it’s always worth spending a few minutes checking your artwork for hidden issues such as overprinting, low resolution images, keylines, and so on.”

Conway adds: “Sometimes the most eye-catching signage can be eye-catching for all the wrong reasons, such as a typo in the phone number, an eyelet through the MD’s ear, or a leaf-coloured event entrance that becomes invisible in an avenue of trees. So, make sure you get your artwork right, check what you’re ordering, think about your customer’s use case, and don’t be scared to ask questions. That may sound simplistic, but if you think about all the times orders don’t come out as they should, it’s usually down to something pretty simple.”

As for the future, Conway says that the trade-only space often reflects wider trends in the industry, and so at the moment, the huge demand for textile printing is demonstrating the need for sustainability and reusability. Conway states: “In March 2024, textiles accounted for 29% of our total material production and by March of 2025 that had increased to 42%. The leading material within that is definitely stretch/display polyester, driven primarily by our stretch fabric walls, not only because they’re easy to put up and transport, but also because of how impactful they are.”

Steve Muton, technical director at SignFab, agrees that sustainability is still a driving force within the industry with more and more customers asking for energy efficient solutions like low consumption LEDs.
SignFab is a provider of signage products including totems, built up and flat cut letters, tray, panel, and projecting signs, all of which is particularly of interest for those looking for large and fabricated solutions.

Continuing on what is currently popular and being expanded on, Muton says: “We’re seeing greater demand for bespoke, high-impact signage. As brands push for more immersive experiences, the complexity and creativity in signage projects are increasing and we’re here to deliver. Whether it’s intricate fabrication, bold illumination, or large-scale totems, we’re ready to meet the challenge.”

When it comes to the founding of the company, which happened in 2001, Muton explains: “SignFab was founded on a clear principle to serve sign companies exclusively without competing for end clients. The founders saw a need in the market for a dedicated trade partner which could provide reliable, expert manufacturing, allowing sign and print businesses to expand their offering without the expense of full-scale production facilities.”

Regarding what SignFab offers, Muton adds: “We are here to offer advice, troubleshoot challenges, and help deliver outstanding finished products. Ultimately, it allows our customers to focus on their core strengths, knowing their manufacturing is in safe hands.”

When it comes to communication Muton stresses the importance of simply picking up the phone, something which is more and more rare from younger generations according to recent reports. “The more detail we receive from the outset – from drawings and specifications to delivery deadlines – the more efficient and accurate we can be. When in doubt, pick up the phone. We pride ourselves on being approachable and responsive.

“For businesses new to using trade suppliers, treat your supplier as a partner, visit our facilities to see how we can help. A collaborative approach leads to better results, faster turnaround times, fewer surprises along the way, and better relationship building.”

Specialist Providers

When it comes to signage, the materials, fabrication, and installation, can all mean that specialist suppliers are needed to efficiently implement branding and displays that may fall outside of a business’ usual remit.

With this in mind, many specialist trade suppliers exist as go-to companies for specific skills. Founded in 2012, Trade Etching Direct (TED) is one of these companies as it works as a trade supplier of etched signage and decorative metalwork. The company says: “The team works closely with sign-makers, designers, and fabricators to deliver expertly finished outcomes across one-off pieces, multi-site rollouts, and bespoke creative briefs.”

Speaking about its capabilities, the company adds: “TED’s in-house fibre laser cutting capabilities deliver precision-cut flat lettering in a range of metals – suitable for both everyday signage and high-impact architectural applications. Where added detail is needed, letters can also be etched with fine detail, patinated, or paint infilled, all in-house under one roof. This integrated setup allows sign-makers to source both standard and decorative cut letters direct from TED.”

The company says TED’s flat cut letters are used in a range of applications including minimalist internal signage and large-scale branding in public and commercial spaces. “Combining etching, patination, and laser cutting, TED’s flat cut letters give sign-makers a distinctive alternative to standard cut lettering. From luxury retail and boutique hotels to heritage projects and wayfinding schemes, the service offers designers new ways to express brand, character, and identity in metal.”

Also working in the metal space and specialising in a range of design and fabrication methods, Nova Aluminium is another established trade-only supplier which prides itself on the trust of its customers and its ability to continuously refine its systems in response to feedback from the industry.

When asked about using Nova’s services, Lisa Sperring, sign sales manager at Nova, says: “Aluminium systems may be relatively easy to fabricate in principle, but many sign-makers face issues that make in-house production difficult, such as having the space and keeping fabrication separate from the more clinical environment required for laying vinyl for example. Our bespoke set up and state-of-the-art machinery allows us to produce large volumes quickly and efficiently – something not every signage business has the capacity to do.

“While we support in-house fabrication wherever it’s possible – and indeed, encourage those with the space and capability to take it on – we’re here for when that’s not feasible. A clean, clinical environment often isn’t suitable for profile cutting or large-scale fabrication, which is where we step in.”

Sperring agrees with previous comments that questions are vitally important for those new to working with trade suppliers. “Most trade suppliers, ourselves included, are more than happy to share knowledge and experience. That spirit of collaboration is what keeps our industry strong,” says Sperring.

This year Nova Aluminium Systems has celebrated its 20th anniversary which has led to the company holding a variety of celebrations throughout the business. Nova’s celebrations reflect its ability to show itself as a personal and relatable company, which is important when communicating with customers and other suppliers.

Sperring adds: “Trade suppliers and sign-makers rely on each other – it’s a partnership built on mutual expertise. One cannot exist without the other. At Nova Aluminium, we’re proud to be a key part of that relationship, offering our clients the confidence and capacity to take on more, grow faster, and deliver better. We’ll keep doing what we do best – developing smarter, more practical systems – and helping our customers do what they do best – create stunning signage that stands the test of time.”

Sperring notes that trade suppliers for signage are “not just convenient but essential” and sees the advancements taking place in print and signage as testament to how providers of trade signage are more vital than ever. “At Nova, we’ll continue investing in new product development, guided by real-world feedback and our passion for innovation,” adds Sperring.

“We anticipate growing demand for systems that are easier and faster to install, as well as environmentally friendly materials. Our team is already exploring ways to expand our range while keeping simplicity and performance at the heart of every design.”

An Extension of Your Team

It is clear to see from everyone we have spoken to that those who provide trade signage to the industry are vital to signage businesses and the way in which the industry operates. Many of those who run and operate trade suppliers have a vast amount of knowledge and experience in the industry.

Norman Pickvance, managing director of Tradesignz Manufacturing, is one such person having started his career as a screen printer before moving into design and then sign-making and installation. Pickvance says: “Being on the tools and face-to-face with customers taught me what really matters on a job – reliability, precision, and getting it right first time. That hands-on experience led me to set up Tradesignz Manufacturing, with the aim of building products that truly serve the needs of the trade.”

It would be easy to assume that trade suppliers and makers of trade signage could be corporate and faceless operations, but as evident by everyone we’ve spoken to in this article, nothing could be further from the truth. While many industries may outsource as a way of taking away the human element and making operations more robotic, in the signage sector, trade suppliers still operate as independent operations.

“A good trade supplier becomes an extension of your team,” says Pickvance, who adds: “With our large-format CNC and fabrication setup, we can take care of the complex or time-consuming parts like trays, bracketry, or custom panels, leaving sign-makers free to manage more projects and keep production flowing. It’s not just about outsourcing; it’s about working smarter and scaling up without the overheads.”

When it comes to advice for working with a provider of trade signage, Pickvance says to communicate clearly and treat a trade supplier like part of the team. “Be upfront about your deadlines, expectations, and any challenges you’re facing. The more we understand your job the better we can help you deliver it. A good trade supplier will want to support your success, but we’re not mind readers, so don’t be afraid to pick up the phone and talk things through – there’s no such thing as a daft question.”

Pickvance also emphasises building relationships early: “Don’t wait for a last-minute panic job to find someone. When you take the time to work with a supplier consistently, they get to know your standards, preferences, and ways of working, and that can make a massive difference when the pressure is on. A strong trade partnership can save you time, money, and a lot of stress down the line.”

Speaking to Pickvance, it’s promising to know that the future is in safe hands as providers of trade signage are constantly investing and expanding. This is evident in all the businesses we have spoken to, which have all invested in machinery, premises, and staff over the last few years.

“The sign industry is evolving fast – partly due to new materials and technology, but also because customer expectations are changing,” says Pickvance, who concludes: “There’s a growing demand for cleaner, more minimal signage, integrated lighting, and quick turnaround on bespoke work. Sustainability is also becoming a bigger factor, with more clients asking where materials come from and how long products will last.

“As sign-makers adapt, trade suppliers need to stay ahead, which is why we’re investing in 6000sq ft of workshop space and over £90,000 in further CNC, laser equipment, and stockholding – to be ready for the demands of the industry.”