In fact, says event director Rudi Blackett, the show is going from strength to strength. Last year, he reports, the show attracted 22% more visitors than in 2010, and its organisers hope to see another increase in exhibition footfall this time around.
But, he qualifies, it’s not about cramming as many suits as possible into the venue. Rather, the key to a successful three days will be ensuring the right exhibitors meet the right wide-format professionals.
"Rather than concentrating purely on attracting vast numbers, we are focusing more on lots of key decision-makers attending, and the quality of stands and seminars," says Blackett.
Small but perfectly formed
Indeed, it is the relative smaller scale of Sign & Digital compared to the likes of Fespa and Drupa that apparently attracts many of these key decision makers.
"Because it’s smaller you can get around a lot more easily and cram a lot more information into just one day," says Nigel Davies, whose company C3 Imaging attend every year to stay abreast of any developments relevant to the exhibition facet of C3’s commercial printing business.
Blackett is confident that others will share this view and that the ‘Drupa effect’ of visitor numbers for print events being hoovered up by the big show in Düsseldorf will not hit Sign & Digital. There should still be lots of key players in attendance, he says, because it’s a completely different ballgame to Drupa, not only in terms of size, but also in content.
"We cover the wide spectrum of signmaking and digital printing, so there is much more to see from this sector than at Drupa, which of course has a more general focus," says Blackett. "In 2008, Drupa didn’t really affect us and we don’t expect it to this time. We’re an essential date for those who want to keep up with the latest developments in the UK wide-format market."
In fact, even those not yet established as wide-format printers would do well to put in an appearance, says Blackett.
"There will also be plenty of advice on how to get started in wide-format print, and also how to add this to an existing print facility," says Blackett.
"Getting into wide-format print can be surprisingly cost-effective," he adds. "It’s a great opportunity both to offer more to existing customers and to build a new client base."
So what, more specifically, can visitors hope to see this year in terms of the latest technologies?
As you would expect, the answer is: plenty of new product launches. On the flatbed front, there’ll be the UK launch of the Agfa Anapurna M2540 FB, which can print sheets of up to 2,540x1,540mm, and of Océ’s Arizona 318 GL UV flatbed machine.
Meanwhile, Hybrid Services and Mimaki will be hosting the UK and Irish launch of the Mimaki JV400-LX latex printer, Fujifilm the UK launch of its latest LED UV printer, the Acuity LED 1600, and Epson the UK launch of its 1,625mm SureColor SC-S30600 four-colour printer.
The show is a great opportunity then, to consider the next big investment. Particularly as, says director at commercial printers Print Shop Limited David Hoey, you might pick up a bargain.
"We invested in a Roland SP-540i one year," says Hoey. "We went to the show really to buy a smaller machine, but there was a bigger one there that was the same price. People might get even better bargains if they attend on the last day."
Supply-side offerings
But it’s not just about impressive-looking pieces of kit. This year will also feature plenty of print supply launches, including Antalis McNaughton’s pan-European range of wide-format substrates, and Insight Sign Systems’ Lumirescent trough lighting system.
The show will also feature the perennially popular Adobe seminar programme, and live demonstrations at the Signmaker’s Workshop, talks that printers would do well to attend, according to Hoey.
"We actually learnt how to apply vinyl to a glass window at Sign & Digital one year," he says. "It’s always helpful to go to seminars as you can learn new skills and find out about tools that, though they’re perfect for a job, you wouldn’t have dreamt of buying otherwise."
But it’s certainly not all work and no play at this year’s show. To celebrate Sign & Digital’s 25th birthday, there will be a fun Over 25 Gallery, housing historical signmaking equipment and photos contributed by visitors of their predecessors and colleagues, "hopefully sporting amusing 80s outfits," says Blackett.
Another trip down memory lane will be provided by Hybrid Services, which is hosting a Q&A session with 1980s Manchester United legends Arthur Albiston and Lou Macari on the second day.
A more sober addition to this year’s show will come in the form of a new Green Trail, highlighting any products on display with an eco-friendly or ethical element. This trail, says Blackett, will allow visitors to easily identify ‘green’ inks, media, printers, recyclable display products and sustainable solutions as they go round.
"Green print is of increasing importance to visitors and their clients, so it’s crucial that the show reflects this by offering plenty of green advice and products," he says.
So while looking back fondly on the history of sign and wide-format printing, Sign & Digital is certainly, with its new environmental emphasis, putting its best foot forward in looking to the next 25 years.
And, with stands, seminars and workshops on all aspects of the trade, it is certainly aiming to help printers do the same. In the words of C3’s Nigel Davies: "Sign & Digital is a really excellent opportunity to see what’s going on in the marketplace and to see where you might take your business in the future."
THE PRINTER'S VIEW: Howard Evans, director at Kingfisher Graphics
"We’ve been going to the show since Kingfisher was established 25 years ago. We don’t attend every year though, as we like to mix things up a bit and feel one show a year is enough; sometimes we go to Fespa, sometimes Sign & Digital.
We’ve got a new member of our sales team this year, who we’ll be taking. Going along is a great way for her to immerse herself in the industry right from the start."
SIGN & DIGITAL ESSENTIALS
Date 27-29 March
Location Halls 3 & 3A at the NEC, Birmingham
Price Attendance is free, register online beforehand to speed up entry on the day (www.signuk.com)
Opening times 10am-5pm everyday except Thursday, when the show finishes at 4.30pm
Exhibitors More than 160 exhibitors will be showcasing the latest developments within the sign and display industry
Key attractions
? New for 2012 will be the Sign & Digital Green Trail, designed to highlight any exhibitor products with an eco-friendly or ethical element
? Hosted by Terry Steeley from Iridius, the Adobe Theatre will include demonstrations, tips and creative solutions for using Adobe packages
? Returning for its third year, The Signmaker’s Workshop will once again be presented by Paul Hughes of Western Signs & Printing and the Price It Guide, and will offer live demonstrations
? The Corel Seminar programme will feature tips on using this software range, exploring topics from designing a poster step-by-step with CorelDraw Graphics Suite, to harmonising colour in designs
? There will be a number of competitions and prize draws including the chance to win a ‘VIP Premier League experience,’ courtesy of Hybrid Services. Be sure to register for entry to be eligible
? The Sign & Digital UK Awards will be held at 7.30pm, 28 March at the National Motorcycle Museum, near the NEC. To book tickets, email signanddigitaluk@fav-house.com
? To celebrate 2012 as the 25th anniversary of Sign & Digital UK, this year will feature an Over 25 Gallery with historical signmaking products and photographs of those who have shaped the industry over the past quarter century
SEMINAR SCHEDULE
Timings repeated daily unless stated otherwise
Adobe Theatre
10.30-11.15am Photoshop Elements 10 & Premiere Elements 10
11.30am-12.15pm Bridge CS5 – getting started with Bridge
12.30-13.30pm Photoshop CS5.1 – hidden gems
2.30-3.15pm InDesign CS5.5 – knowledge is power
3.30-4.15pm Illustrator CS5.1 – different folk, different strokes
4.30-5pm (except Thursday) Controlling colour – soft-proofing made easy
The Signmaker’s workshop
10.30am-12pm Basic application of vinyl
12.30-2pm Basics of vehicle livery
2.30-4pm The basics of making a signboard
The Corel seminar programme
10.30-11.15am CorelDraw Graphics suite – an overview of new features
11.30-12.15pm CorelDraw Graphics suite - poster project, step-by-step
1-1.45pm (12.45-1.30pm on Thursday) Wilcom DecoStudio® e2
2.15-3pm (2-2.45pm on Thursday) CorelDraw Graphics Suite -
harmonising colour in design
3.30-4.15pm (2.45-3.30pm on Thursday) CorelDraw Graphics Suite – accessorise your graphic suite and expand your creativity
4.15-5pm (3.30-4.15pm on Thursday) CorelDraw Graphics Suite – typography and page layout
