UK Graphic Awards celebrates achievements in wide-format print

There were 14 awards up for grabs, with categories including Wide Format Printer of the Year and Best in Show

Jonathan Pert

October 16, 2024

ITV weather presenter Emma Jesson returned to direct proceedings, with a live band playing after the awards were presented

Last night (October 15^th), the UK Graphic Awards returned for its fourth year, hosted at a new venue in the Hilton Metropole hotel in Birmingham.

The awards show and gala dinner recognises and celebrates the talent and creativity of the wide-format print sector.

There were 14 awards up for grabs with categories including Branded Interiors, Construction, Exhibitions, Leisure & Hospitality, Live Events, Museums & Galleries, and The Green Award which recognises sustainability-focused projects. The awards were tiered, with Bronze, Silver, and Gold levels up for grabs, as well as Highly Commended winners in certain categories.

ITV weather presenter Emma Jesson returned to direct proceedings and guests were also treated to a live band after the awards were presented which helped to fill up the dance floor and keep the fun flowing.

For Roksoliana Sydorska, who is a part of the organising team for the UK Graphic Awards and product manager at Vantage, said the event is a great chance for networking and celebrating the industry.

Speaking to SignLink at the show, Sydorska explained: “It is an amazing opportunity not only to bring all the industry together and celebrate everyone’s success and talent, but also to reunite and have fun each year.

“We are so happy to see all the satisfied faces at the end of the night. Seeing this industry working together as a single organism is an important thing for us.”

*Among the winners was Signs Express Southampton, winning a Gold Award in the Branded Interior category*

The Next Generation of Print

Among the awards was the popular Rising Star Award which celebrates individuals who have made an impact in the print and graphic design industry. The winner of the Rising Star Award this year was Isabel Shanahan, digital artworker and project coordinator at Imageco, with Kyle Wright of Signs Express Central Lancashire gaining the Highly Commended prize.

SignLink spoke to Shanahan previously about her nomination to which she commented: “I am absolutely thrilled to be shortlisted, it feels like an achievement in itself. It is great to be recognised for my work within the industry, it means a lot to me and has definitely given me a confidence boost.”

Speaking after winning the award, Shanahan exclaimed: “I feel absolutely phenomenal, I’ve never felt so great in my life! It was a really important award for me to win.”

Shanahan went on to explain the importance of encouraging young people in the print industry, as well as highlighting the work of women within print.

“Getting more young people in print is probably the most important thing for me. I hope that, with other rising star awards including the one I just won, it will encourage more young people to get into print, because there are so many roles that are available.

“I know so many amazing young women in print that also could have won this award tonight, and they would have been just as deserving, as would many young men. It’s great to feel that young women in print are being taken seriously and appreciated.”

Reacting to Shanahan’s win, Sydorska commented: “Seeing that the winner was so hyped up about her award is just the best gift that we could get and also the best feedback we can get for an award.”

*The Rising Star Award celebrates individuals who have made an impact in the print and graphic design industry*. *Image: Marcus Rice*

Humble Beginnings

Another winner on the night was Envision Media, which won the coveted Gold Award for Wide Format Printer of the Year, Under 30 Employees. The wide-format print and signage solutions company, founded in 2012, has garnered clients including Formula 1 and Sky Sports. In the past year, Envision has expanded its factory space by 50% and its workforce by 40%.

Antonia Johnston, sales and marketing manager for Envision Media, spoke to SignLink after receiving the award.

“It was definitely an award we wanted to win, but we never imagined that we could get there because of the calibre of the competitors that we were up against. To be recognised in the same arena as so many big brands, it’s an absolute achievement.

“Our directors are just hugely humble. They come from humble beginnings, just a small town in the North West, and to now be here and in this arena, it’s mind-blowing.”

Asked what the future holds for Envision Media, Johnston added: “Definitely watch this space. There are big plans, but I’m keeping my cards close to my chest.”

I feel absolutely phenomenal, I’ve never felt so great in my life! It was a really important award for me to win.
Isabel Shanahan, digital artworker and project coordinator at Imageco

The category of Wide Format Printer of the Year, Over 30 Employees, was won by Service Graphics. Previously the company had won the Gold Award for Live Events in 2023.

Sussex Sign Company was presented with its first UK Graphic Award, winning Gold in the Roll Out category.

The company recently completed a major signage project for Paxton Access, transforming its Brighton headquarters and three factory locations. The project included the wrapping of a 36 x 6m building with cladding to resemble a circuit board.

*Managing director of the Sussex Sign Company, Norman Mayhew, with his award*

Speaking after receiving the award, managing director of the Sussex Sign Company Norman Mayhew stated: “It’s absolutely amazing. I started the business 30 years ago on the 1st of January 1995 with my father-in-law, and this is the culmination of 30 years of hard work.”

Mayhew went on to focus on the hard work of his team: “To succeed in any business, you’ve got to surround yourself with people that are far better than you could ever wish to be, and that’s what I’ve managed to do. The team are absolutely fantastic, and this is their award, not mine.”

Speaking about the event, Mayhew added: “This is like the Oscars of the graphic industry, so we’ve just won an Oscar! I can’t tell you how excited I am, and I can’t wait to bring this back to the team.”

The award for Best in Show was won this year by Moss UK. The branding and signage company also won Gold in the Live Events category for a Google-themed live event installation at the Tobacco Dock event space in London.

A Good Cause

With organisers Vantage being based in Ukraine, each year the awards show engages in fundraising efforts for the war in Ukraine. This year, a silent auction took place for Volunteers Support Ukraine, an organisation that provides essential aid to both soldiers and civilians affected by the war.

Sydorska, a Ukrainian citizen herself, spoke of the support the print industry has given to these causes.

“I’m really thankful to the audience out here that are willing to listen about Ukraine’s war with Russia, and that they are willing to donate to our fundraisers. This really means a lot to our team.”