The Sign Show to debut at the NEC

The Sign Show will make its debut tomorrow, running at the NEC for three days alongside sister event, The Print Show.

Designed to address the needs and requirements of the UK signage industry, the new show will play host to a range of manufacturers and suppliers from across the market, with the aim of covering as many areas and technologies as possible.

The Sign Show launches with heavy support from The Print Show, which is established as the leading, large-scale event in the UK print industry, with this year marking its ninth edition.

The stand-out benefit of running the two events alongside each other is that visitors will be getting two shows for the “price” of one – though entry remains free for all. Both events are located in the same hall at the NEC, with attendees able to pass freely between the two shows, allowing them to explore the very latest in print and signage.

This, event director Chris Davies says, is crucial in the modern market, as the lines between print and sign-making become increasingly blurred and companies find themselves crossing between the two sectors.

“We created The Sign Show to address a big gap in the market for a dedicated sign-making event in the UK,” Davies explains, continuing: “However, that is not to say that the event will not have something for printers as well.

“Most print companies now offer some element of signage, whether it its banners, posters or vehicle wrapping. By running the two shows next to each other, and in the same hall, it offers visitors to see new solutions and network with our fantastic line-up of exhibitors to explore how they can continue to evolve their business in the long term.”

Who’s Attending?

In terms of exhibitors at The Sign Show, the stand-out names include HP, Roland DG, and Hybrid Services (Mimaki), with a focus on wide-format printing.

Across the hall at The Print Show, wide-format will also be highly visible, with exhibitors such as Agfa, Epson, Fujifilm, swissQprint, Morgana, Vivid Laminating Technologies, and Resolute DTG among those attending this year.

As for more sign-focused exhibitors at The Sign Show 2025, visitors will be able to meet with companies such as Signgeer, Eurobond Adhesives, LEDUP UK, Pacfort, Bisbell Magnets, Sign Making Tools, EFKA, and Metalworx.

There will also be the opportunity to speak to the British Sign & Graphics Association (BSGA) expert team during a live ‘Sign Surgery’, which will be running during the show. Also in attendance will be Sam Armstrong and the Make it Happen team, as well as the FESPA UK Next Generation initiative.

“The main goal of the show continues to be to support signage companies and help them to identify the solutions they need to succeed and grow,” Davies says, adding: “Whether this is presenting them with the opportunity to view new technologies for the first time, or help connect them with manufacturers and supplies, The Sign Show is the ideal meeting place.”

Get Hands On

Alongside the main attraction of exhibitor and their latest solutions, visitors will be able to drop in on several feature areas across the two events.

The all-new The Sign Show will house three interactive areas, allowing visitors to get hands-on with sign-making and related techniques.

The School of Wrap will cover both vehicle and architectural wrapping, allowing visitors to see expert wrappers in action and attend sessions showcasing wrapping skills, as well as try their hand at wrapping. CVi Group, All Print Supplies, SPACE Architectural Interiors. Fedrigoni, and FESPA UK will all feature in this area.

Elsewhere, Neon Insights will shine a light on neon, with the Neon Creations team speaking with visitors about the differences between true neon and modern interpretations. Visitors can also have a go at neon glass-bending.

Finally, David Mearns of Signmode will lead the Traditional Sign-Making Masterclass, where visitors will be treated to live demonstrations of crafts including signwriting, screen printing, and both water and transfer leaf gilding, with the opportunity to try signwriting for themselves.

Meanwhile, located in The Print Show, the Knowledge Zone will be free to access to visitors across both events, featuring an intriguing programme covering key topics in print and sign-making markets, as well as wider issues.

This year, speakers include Simon Cooper, CEO of Solopress; Willsow founder Tom Willday; Jeremy Page, global head of brand and strategy at BrandNation; Colin Sinclair McDermott, founder of The Online Print Coach; Nicole Spencer, managing director of RMC Digital Print; and Mark Bidewell, managing director of BISON.

“We can honestly say that this will be the biggest and best edition of The Print Show since we launched the event back in 2015,” says event director Chris Davies, adding: “Not only will we be welcoming the biggest and best names in print, but also co-locating with The Sign Show, offering visitors two events in a single location.

“No other large-scale event in the UK allows industry members across both the print and signage sectors to explore such a wide range of solutions and technologies under one roof.”