Show organiser Faversham House Group said it was "delighted" with the numbers, citing a renewed optimism within the marketplace for the improved figures.

Rudi Blackett, event director for Sign & Digital UK, said: "We are delighted to be able to report a significant increase in visitors to the 2011 show.

"The combination of interactive demos and specialist advice, coupled with the wide range of products and applications on display, made the show a fantastic showpiece for our industry."

The NEC-based show hosted a range of product launches with manufacturers and suppliers recording sales across the three days.

Duncan Jefferies, marketing manager of Mimaki distributor Hybrid Services, said the show was the ideal opportunity for the company to launch five major new Mimaki products.

"We enjoyed three busy days - the interest on our stand and machine orders placed with Mimaki resellers at the show was extremely strong," he added.

Stewart Bell, managing director of Digital Print Innovations echoed his thoughts. "We are delighted with our first Sign & Digital UK. As a young, independent, ambitious business we were extremely pleased with the quality and quantity of the leads we achieved. We’ve already booked a bigger stand for 2012."

Next year's event will take place on the 27-29 March in halls 3 and 3a at the NEC, Birmingham.