The Sign Show Makes Successful Debut

“Given the size of the UK sign-making and display markets, we believe the industry deserves and needs an event that is entirely dedicated to these creative sectors – and we will deliver exactly this at The Sign Show”.

This is what people are met with when they click on the ‘Why Visit’ section of The Sign Show website. Following the first edition of the show, it is safe to say the event achieved exactly that, with organisers and visitors reporting a successful three days at the NEC in Birmingham, with plenty of happy exhibitors and visitors.

Here, SignLink picks out some of the highlights from year one of The Sign Show, looking at what was on show across the many stands of the event, and what stood out for those who attended the inaugural show.

The Perfect Mixture

Over 5000 professionals from across the sign and print markets passed through the doors of the co-located events, eager to see what organisers had come up with for year one of the new event. Of course, the show had an immediate advantage being co-located with The Print Show, the UK’s only large-scale event for the UK print industry that brings in thousands of visitors year-on-year.

However, while wide-format print has often had a presence at the show, including on the impressive stands of big-name exhibitors such as HP, Hybrid Services (Mimaki Europe), Roland DG, and Graphtec (Mutoh), the challenge was for organisers to deliver what they promised – an event that shone a light on signage.

“We understand that plenty of sign-makers offer wide-format printing, but we also recognise that they is so much more than that,” says event director Chris Davies, who also oversees the co-located The Print Show. He adds: “The whole premise of the new show was to host an event that catered for the need of sign companies that do not offer wide-format print, as well as those that offer print in addition to other signage services.

“If you visited us at the show this year, you would have seen everything from sign fixtures and fittings, LED lighting solutions, wrapping materials, exhibition stand services, and even traditional signs and neon. We are very proud to have established not only a new, dedicated exhibition for the signage market, but also a new gathering point for the UK sign industry.”

Those who visited the new show this year were met with an impressive entrance, with two archways offering entrance to The Sign Show and The Print Show – though in reality, both led to the same hall, with the two events taking place alongside each other. This co-location was heavily praised by visitors, as they had free roam of both shows without having to leave the hall.

This also made life easier for those exhibitors that have interests in both markets, with the layout ensuring they were able to capture visitor traffic from both the print and non-printed signage market. This was certainly the case for wide-format print specialists including HP, Hybrid Services (Mimaki Europe), and Graphtec (Mutoh).

Incidentally, Hybrid Services used the event to host the global launch of the Mimaki TS200-1600 dye sublimation printer. The machine is billed as the “ideal solution” for smaller shops, start-ups, and any businesses looking to expand into customised goods and short-run textile production.

“Launching the new Mimaki TS200-1600 at The Sign Show gave visitors the opportunity to see first-hand how dye sublimation could open new revenue streams for their business,” Hybrid sales director Andy Gregory said, adding: “As an entry-level solution, the TS200 makes it easier than ever for companies to take that next step and diversify their offering.”

Hybrid also used the new show for the UK and Irish launch of the Mimaki UJV300DTF-75. A compact, UV DTF printer, Hybrid says the machine allows users to easily create premium decals, bespoke branding, and personalisation.

Gregory adds: “The Sign Show is a timely and important addition to the exhibition calendar. It gives the signage industry its own dedicated space while still benefiting from the crossover with The Print Show. We’re proud to be backing the event from day one.”

Superior Signage

Away from the wide-format print giants and there was plenty to explore in Hall 3 of the NEC. LKH Tools, which, as its name may suggest, supplies the market with a wide range of tools for sign-making. The company was located near to the entrance and reported heavy footfall across all three days of the show, with visitors keen to learn more about its products.

Also experiencing a busy show was EKFA Frame Solutions, which showcased its services and solutions not only on its own stand, but also across the hall. This included partnering with the organising team to help produce the very impressive setup for the Knowledge Zone speaker area within The Print Show section of the hall. The same could be said for Metalworx, which helped create the School of Wrap centrepiece of the show.

“It was a great experience exhibiting at the first-ever show,” said EFKA, adding: “We were delighted to see so many trade partners and showcase what we can do, including the giant light wall display that lit up the Knowledge Zone. It was a really great atmosphere all week; well done to The Sign Show team for putting on such a great event!”

Other stands of note at The Sign Show included Signgeer, which, accompanied by its very own superhero in ‘Signman’, welcomed plenty of visitors to its stand. Meanwhile, the BSGA had a very busy show hosting a live version of its ‘Sign Surgery’. In addition, Sam Armstrong and the Make it Happen team were kept busy on the show floor, meeting with a variety of visitors, while the consultancy also ran a series bootcamps throughout the show – including a full-day session on the day before the show opened.

Visitors were also quick to offer praise to the organising team for the debut show, with many turning to social media to share their experiences.

“We had a wonderful day at The Sign Show and The Print Show at the NEC,” said Olivia Firth, operations manager at ENV Graphics and Signage, adding: “It was great catching up with some familiar faces, meeting new people, and exploring new technologies and suppliers. We saw plenty of opportunities and ventures for future work.”

Ben Lambert, senior business development manager at Pivot 365, commented: “A visit to The Sign Show was a great chance to catch up with familiar faces, meet new ones, and hear more about the challenges and successes across the industry right now.”

Josh Davies, business development manager at Clipeum IT, also said: “Everyone was on top form, and it was fantastic to connect with as many people as I did. Some of the technology is incredible but taking it back to basics with Tony Spinks and the very talented team at Neon Creations was brilliant.”

Hands-On Experience

This brings us on nicely to the special areas that were scattered across the show floor, with visitors to both The Sign Show and The Print Show having the freedom to explore and get interactive with these features.

In The Sign Show section of the hall, visitors were able to try their hand at wrapping on the School of Wrap, with specialists from CVi Group and Space Architectural Interiors. Attendees were also able to explore the range of wrapping products available from Fedrigoni and All Print Supplies, while FESPA UK was on hand to recycle any leftover waste and talk visitors through its Waste Accreditation initiative.

“We’ve had a really busy few days and I’ve been really pleased to speak with so many people not only about what we can offer in terms of wrapping training though CVi Group, but also how our partners at Space Architectural Interiors, Fedrigoni, and All Print Supplies can help them with services and materials,” commented Chris Edwards, director of CVi Group.

Across the aisle at the Traditional Sign-Making Masterclass, attendees were invited to learn all about some of the most loved and respected crafts in the signage industry. David Mearns of Signmode was on hand to showcase some of these techniques, including hand-drawing The Sign Show logo on the backdrop of the stand. He was also very busy teaching visitors how to write signs, with attendees invited to try out their skills on the feature area.

“It’s been a brilliant few days and the show has far exceeded my expectations,” Mearns said, who added: “It’s been so refreshing for people to come and see some traditional signage and learn more about how it is made – even while we are surrounded by so much wonderful new technologies. Well done to the organisers for such a great event; it’s been an honour being part of the first show.”

Finally, Neon Creations drew the crowds at Neon Insights, where those in attendance could learn about the core differences between traditional neon and LED signage, as well as how incredible neon pieces are created. Visitors were invited to try out neon bending, under the watchful eye of the brilliant Tony Spink, Catherine Spink, and the extremely talented Sam Beresford, who joined the company straight from school at 16 and is now a hugely skilled glass bender.

“Honestly, we’ve had a fantastic few days,” Tony Spink says, continuing: “We’ve all really enjoyed being here and speaking with people about what we do. We’re so passionate about neon signs and ensuring they have a future, but it is quite tricky to get in front of people to talk about what we do. Being at The Sign Show this year has allowed us to speak with so many people, both from the industry and further afield, about who we are and what we do. Huge thanks for the organising team for the opportunity; we really hope to be back here next year.”

The good news for Tony and indeed the UK industry is that The Sign Show will be returning in 2026, with eagle-eyed visitors at the show probably spotting a ‘See you in 2026’ parting messages on the archway exit from the hall. Davies confirms this will be the case, with the team already putting plans in place for a larger event next year.

“We had always planned to make The Sign Show an annual event alongside The Print Show, and with year one having been such a success, we’re now ready to go full steam ahead and start planning out how we can grow the event,” Davies says.

“As has been the case since day one with The Print Show, we are completely open to ideas from the industry. After all, we are running the event for the industry, so it is only right that they have their say about what they want to see at the show next year. One thing that is for sure is that It’ll run alongside The Print Show again, with the crossover between the two shows having gone so well this year.”

This crossover is certainly not a new concept, with the boundaries between print and signage having become increasingly blurred in recent years. The cleverly designed co-location of The Sign Show and The Print Show has the potential to grow year-on-year, delivering to the industry a must-attend annual gathering for the very best of print and signage.