With less than two weeks to go until The Print Show opens, alongside the all-new, co-located The Sign Show, exhibitors have been revealing their plans for the events, while organisers have announced the final few Knowledge Zone speakers and details of other special features across the two shows.
Both events will take place in Hall 3 of the NEC in Birmingham from 23-25 September. Now established as the leading industry print event in the UK, The Print Show will be running for the ninth time, once again playing host to the biggest names in the market. Meanwhile, The Sign Show is an exciting addition for 2025, delivering a dedicated event for the UK signage sector.
The layout of the hall will allow visitors to pass freely between the two events and explore the very latest developments across both the print and signage markets. Registration is free, with visitors only needing to sign up once to access both shows, while those in attendance will also be able to access the various special features across the two, again free of charge.
“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,” said event director Chris Davies. “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. Add in our special features, including the Knowledge Zone speaker area in The Print Show and the School of Wrap in The Sign Show, and it’s a gathering you simply cannot afford to miss.”
New additions
Organisers have confirmed several exhibitor signings during the final weeks leading up to The Print Show, while floorspace for The Sign Show has completely sold out.
Among the additions to The Print Show is paper giant Antalis. Based on Stand P610, Antalis will use the event to highlight its portfolio of papers, packaging and visual communications solutions to printers, designers, packaging specialists and visual communications experts.
Products to look out for include creative papers and digital papers, such as Keaykolour and the newly launched 2U Silk and 2U Silk Digital. There will also be the opportunity to learn about its graphical boards, with a new swatch available to attendees, as well as packaging solutions and its rigid materials.
“This year’s Print Show will be a major platform for Antalis to demonstrate not only the diversity of our product and service offering, but also our leadership in sustainable practice,” said marketing and communications manager, Katie Farr.
Also confirming its plans for the show is Roland DG, which is appearing at the event for the first time. Located on Stand S310 in The Sign Show section of the hall, Roland will be demoing its new Dimense DA-640 wide-format printer,
The DA-640 is capable of producing embossed prints with up to 2mm of 3D effects, opening all manner of opportunities to companies across both the print and sign-making markets. Stand-out features on the machine include the ability to produce print in qualities of up to 1200dpi on materials as wide as 1,615mm. It can also run substrates up to 1.0mm thick and offers printing in four-colour CMYK.
“Getting to spend face to face time with customers is super important and what better place to do that than The Print Show and The Sign Show, this September,” said Rob Goleniowski, head of sales in the UK and Ireland for Roland DG UK. “Customers can read about and research products online, but there is still no substitute to seeing things in the flesh and discussing opportunities and requirements in person with the specialists.”
Build your knowledge
While exhibitors and their latest solutions will be the primary focus for visitors, organisers are committed to ensuring attendees get the most out of their time at The Print Show and The Sign Show, with several special areas running throughout the two events.
The Knowledge Zone will again play host to a selection of knowledgeable, expert speakers from across the print industry and further afield. This year, the programme has again been designed to address the issue most important to print companies, with many sessions also set to be of interest to those in the signage market.
Sessions include a discussion on the long-term benefits of AI in print, led by Jeremy Page and George Kowalowski of BrandNation; championing the future of print with FESPA UK and its talented Next Generation; and the Printing Charity’s Knowledge Exchange Live on workplace wellbeing. In addition, Tom Willday, founder of Willsow, will share his experience of appearing on the BBC’s Dragon’s Den with his innovation: the world’s first plantable children’s book.
Aside from the Knowledge Zone, the introduction of The Sign Show this year means three new feature areas for visitors to explore. The School of Wrap will serve as the centrepiece for the event, showcasing vehicle and architectural wrapping, with those in attendance able to try out wrapping for themselves, under the guidance of experts from CVi Group, SPACE Architectural Interiors, All Print Supplies, Fedrigoni and FESPA UK.
Visitors can also drop in on Neon Insights to meet with the talented team at Neon Creations, learn about the wonderful world of neon signs and have a go at neon bending. In addition, attendees can get hands-on at the Traditional Sign-making Masterclass with David Mearns of Signmode, trying out much-loved crafts such as sign writing.
On the air
Other features to look out for this year include the in-event launch of PrintFM, a brand new, global radio station dedicated to print. The Print Show will mark the first time that PrintFM will broadcast live from an exhibition, with Deborah Corn, Intergalactic Ambassador to the Printerverse at Print Media Centr and the executive director of Girls Who Print, hosting shows from her own space within the hall.
Deborah will also feature in the Knowledge Zone, exploring how printers can position print as a security solution and leverage personalisation to drive long-term customer relationships and revenue growth. With data breaches, phishing scams, the flood of intrusive digital marketing and now with AI superpowers having made consumers sceptical of online and inbox interactions, print is very much the trusted alternative!
Meanwhile, the British Sign & Graphics Association (BSGA) will be running a live Sign Surgery from its stand near the School of Wrap. Here, visitors can speak with experts from the BSGA about their signage requirements and get the latest intel on industry developments.
There will also be the opportunity to meet with other trade organisations such as the British Printing Industries Federation (BPIF) and Independent Print Industries Association (IPIA), as well as young people focused groups such as FESPA UK’s Next Generation Committee and Young People in Print.
“The Print Show and The Sign Show are so much more than just another exhibition; we are committed to delivering events that offer real value to visitors and allow them to go away with new ideas to grow their business and succeed in the modern market,” Chris said.
