Established in 2006, Print 2 Media has expanded its offering into other areas, picking up a range of new customers in the process, particularly in the education sector, helped by the launch of its school-focused division, The School Sign Shop. Offering everything from school playground signage to wall murals, The School Sign Shop now works with education settings across Cornwall and the UK.

Most recently, Mousehole School, Penzance, was the recipient of graphics including three large maps; one of the area local to the school that highlighted nearby landmarks, another a UK map showing sites of interest and importance, and the third a world map with postcard pictures of famous sights. A fourth graphic was a timeline detailing major historic events.

For this project, Print 2 Media selected Drytac Polar Grip, a white polymeric self-adhesive vinyl, used in schools before, which offers adhesion to any surface including metal, plastic, wood, glass, and brick. Print 2 Media purchased the film and accompanying laminate from Premier Paper Group, the exclusive Drytac distributor in the UK and Ireland.

Print 2 Media printed all graphics in house using its Canon Océ Colorado 1640 and SwissQPrint Nyala 4, while its specialist team installed the pieces on site at the school.

‘School customers are always the best,’ Print 2 Media founder Glenn Wrigley said. ‘The teachers are so enthusiastic and happy to have such a useful teaching aid and the children certainly let us know their thoughts. They are always so positive and take real pride in their new wall murals. We have been working with Drytac materials for over five years now and are always pleased with the end result.’

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The company began working with Multiplex, the construction company behind 22 Bishopsgate, back in 2019, producing a range of graphics and wayfinding signs for the 65-floor building.

Among the applications delivered by Signbox on the 22 Bishopsgate project were experiential wall and ceiling graphics, installed in September 2023 at the entrance to the site’s public viewing experience.

The entrance to Horizon 22 is now decorated with graphics printed in-house at Signbox on a pair of HP Latex 800W printers which were installed in the summer of 2023 by HP reseller Colyer.

Using the HP Latex 800W machines is said to not only ensure a high-quality print on all graphics but also offer a sustainable element to the project, given that all HP Latex printers use HP Latex ink, which is claimed to be significantly kinder to the environment than solvent, eco-solvent, and UV inks.

The reliability of the HP Latex 800W printers and their ability to deliver high quality, accurate prints, meant Signbox was able to deliver and install the graphics on time for the client.

Greg Bailey, senior project manager of Signbox said, ‘We achieved all our self-imposed KPI targets set out at the start of the project and completed our works snag-free at the point of handover.

‘Due to the dynamic nature of the project, it required us to be hyper agile, reacting to changes in the design of the built environment as the project progressed. We managed to achieve all client variations and deliver these within the main project period.

‘The final finishing detail of our work is outstanding; this was the opinion of the client team as well as ourselves.’

The project also won gold in the Interior Décor category at the 2024 UK Sign Awards.

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Speaking about the co-location of SDUK with Printwear & Promotion Live (see preview on p40), event director Tony Gardner said, ‘Sign & Digital UK 2024 is the first SDUK under our ownership, and we are really looking forward to seeing how the co-located event works. All shows must continue to develop their offering and we believe a co-located event is key to help grow the show, and to attract a new audience into the world of sign-making and large-format digital printing. Visitors will have the chance to explore the latest technology and innovations first-hand, with many of these advancements being showcased in the UK for the first time.’

The exhibition will be complemented by the International Sign Association (ISA-UK) Explains Lounge. Now in its third year, the Lounge will host a series of presentations and panel discussions designed to inform and educate visitors to the show on the latest developments, trends and innovations and how they will impact the large format printing, sign-making and visual communications industry.

Topics include managing your sign business, business advice sessions, daily panel and feature sessions. The Women in Sign and Graphics session focuses on their contributions to the industry, while The Printing Charity will share ways to support mental well-being within the sector.

On the show floor, Hybrid Services, the exclusive UK and Ireland distributor for Mimaki Europe, is introducing three new printers at the event. These are the Mimaki TxF300-75 direct-to-film printer launched in August 2023, the UJV100-160Plus LED UV printer announced in September 2023, which will have its first UK exhibition showing, plus the first showing of the Mimaki UCJV330-160 LED UV integrated printer/cutter. The latter is a 1.6m production machine that Hybrid says offers ‘highly creative capabilities coupled with ultra-low running costs’.

RGB and Oki Europe are teaming up to support motor vehicle number plate printing with a complete ‘business in a box’ solution. They will be featuring the A3+ Oki Pro9542 printer, which includes white toner, and the Oki C650, described as ‘the world’s smallest high performance colour printer’  but still suitable for commercial print.

UK Feather Flags will showcase various products, including a new line of Eco fabric exhibition display solutions that it says demonstrate its commitment to sustainable signage. The company aims to build brand awareness, forge new business relationships, and gain insights into emerging market trends.

Sign Trade Supplies plans to display its range of sustainable aluminium profiles, sign fixings, and components, emphasising value to customers. The stand will also feature an interactive element, adding a ‘fun and engaging dimension for attendees’.

Assured Signage aims to use the show to highlight the potential of digital signage as a new revenue stream for traditional sign-makers and printers. It will present its media player, Sureview Genesis, which is claimed to offer offering exceptional performance and a low cost of ownership. The stand will also feature displays from Papercast, showcasing e-ink displays ideal for outdoor applications.

Roland DG  is taking space at both SDUK and Printwear & Promotion. At the former, it will showcase its new VersaObject MO-240, which replaces the company’s popular LEF2 Series and is designed to enhance direct-to-object printing with new levels of productivity. For those interested in signage, interior design and vehicle wraps, the company will also be showcasing its TrueVIS AP-640 resin printer, plus the popular TrueVis LG-640 UV print and cut device, and the 2.4 x 1.2m VersaObject EU-1000MF flatbed that can handle objects up to 95mm thick. These will be backed by demonstrations of the DG Connect software app.

Brownings, in partnership with Magnwall, plans to showcase novel wireless electrification systems at SDUK 2024. This allows users to mount electrical accessories onto the face of tension fabric systems, eliminating the need for complex wiring. The stand will also feature Brownings’ range, including TexSign tension fabric systems, Flex face products and bespoke snap frames.

BestSub will showcase its latest engraving machine, craft heat presses, Otter DtF system, and a comprehensive selection of craft supplies, materials, and tools.

InkTec had been planning to show a brand new printer, the Jetrix LXa5 flatbed, but the conflict around the Suez Canal has delayed it, so the firm will focus on sustainability, showing how Jetrix printers can be upgraded to move with the times and continue to deliver on their initial investment. The Jetrix LXi8 UV flatbed will be present, sporting a new user interface that improves the nesting and mapping capabilities of the printer to minimise media wastage. There will also be the first showing of the Jetrix XGR320 3.2m UV LED roll printer. Both machines will be printing with GreenGuard Gold accredited inks.

QPS will feature four LED UV printers from ColorJet on its stand – the 49sqm/hr Verve 2513M flatbed, the Verve Mini 1050 x 1650mm compact flatbed, the 2m width Vulcan Hybrid X and the 3.2m Vulcan 3201M which offers at top speed of 76sqm/hr. Collectively these cover a full gamut of wide-format applications from small signage and promotional items to high volume roll substrates, plus rigid materials including ACP, foam, board, flute board, glass, ceramic tiles and wood. QPS will also feature the Nazdar range of inks.

Drytac won’t have a stand of its own, but its products will feature on Epson, Hybrid Services and Roland’s stands, as well as that of exclusive distribution partner Premier Paper Group. While Premier will display a selection of Drytac materials and can advise about the full range, Epson will feature SpotOn Floor 200 and ReTac Textures Sand wallcovering films, while Hybrid will be printing Polar Chrome reflective PET, Polar Choice White film and Visiprint films. Roland’s stand will show ReTac ChalkMate, which yields a blackboard-type finish.

Another first will be the debut of the SC-V1000 A4 flatbed printer from Epson. This is an entry-level flatbed printer aimed at small businesses in the promotional goods industry. Described as highly compact and affordable, V1000 can print directly on a wide range of substrates with a thickness of up to 70mm, including acrylics, polycarbonates, PVC, aluminium, metal, polyester, foamboard, styrene, wood and stone, making it suitable for creating promotional and personalised items.

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Since 2014 Standbuilder has grown from supplying on-site technicians to the exhibitions market to becoming entirely self-sufficient through strategic investments and working closely with CMYUK in recent years. The company is now entirely self-sufficient for large format graphic production and finishing. Its plant list also includes a Mimaki print/cutter, Kongsberg C60 digital cutting table, Trotec Speedy 400 cutter/engraver and an AE sewing machine; it is also a regular use of the UFabrik line of materials in its exhibition work.

The new EFI hybrid printer replaces a Vutek QS3 Pro 3.2m printer at Standbuilder and this move to EFI’s latest technology aims to enhance productivity and reduce operational costs. The printer supports continuous board printing, accommodating large boards or multiple smaller panels with simple changeover from rigid to flexible printing, complemented by dual roll capability for flexible media.

This has helped Standbuilder to bring printing and finishing automation in-house, leading to a significant transformation. The company recently completed one of its largest projects to date, building 150 exhibition stands in just two weeks, covering over 4000 sqm of print.

Director Bruno Roquette said, ‘The integration of world-class digital printing production equipment enables Standbuilder to deliver high-quality, large print volumes efficiently, meeting strict deadlines with industrial-level speed. This improved workflow has positioned the company to attract larger contracts, contributing to overall business growth as the company now expands into Europe with its newly opened Barcelona operation.’

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Bulldog Display owner Brian Prosser stated, ‘People pay silly money for this kind of machine when they don’t need to.

‘It uses the latest generation Ricoh Gen6 Print Heads, which is the key component, and the engineering is equal to anything else on the market – there was no contest!

‘Plus, this is the third machine we have bought from RSR, they have always looked after us and been a great company to deal with.’

Print Finisher Tyler Hill said, ‘This is a machine which will do pretty much everything for us.

‘Typically, this means adhesive rolls such as greyback or high tack, plus all kinds of boards up to around 80mm thick, with the option of running acrylics, glass, even wood.’

The new Gibson machine replaced a roll-fed Refretonic 3.2m Eco Solvent Printer. The addition of a flatbed production capability was a key reason for the investment, but not the most significant as Mr Hill stated, ‘Running UV inks has been a revelation.

‘Previously we would print and then laminate, but now we have cut the lamination stage out altogether, which saves a great deal of time and expense.

‘It’s not just reduced print and drying time, there’s a better-quality matt finish to our work, plus it’s more durable and scratch resistant.’

During busy periods, the new Gibson Hybrid can produce up to 24 sqm/hr as Mr Hill explained, ‘The vacuum bed keeps everything precisely flat and rolls continuously like a treadmill.

‘There are lots of details I like, it’s self-lubricating, unlike our old machine, and it comes with an Onyx Rip which offers a lot of control.

‘There are lots of clever design features to make my job easier.’

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The Sheerness, Kent operation specialises in the production of custom printed site hoardings and boards, exhibition graphics, window graphics, banners, posters, and other items. It aims to provide a bespoke on-demand digital printing solution and works with UK print management companies, design agencies, marketing teams and retailers.

JBF Digital managing director Joe Field explained the decision to invest: ‘We needed something to be able to keep up with the orders coming in and this was the direction in the next step of our growth. We also needed to be able to keep up with the competition and stand out from the crowd. Previously we were being out-costed, but with the V7000 we’re now more price competitive and delivering a better quality to our customers.

‘The business was really struggling at times to complete incoming orders. We were running 24 hours a day sometimes and looking to take on extra staff. Now we can take more work on, complete it to a higher quality and offer quicker lead times,’ he added.

The Epson flatbed was recommended to JBF by specialist reseller Perfect Colours. Having two SureColor SC-S80600 roll-fed solvent printers, JBF was familiar with the brand, and felt that the flatbed ‘ticked all the boxes’.

Mr Field expanded, ‘A key benefit is the ability to print directly onto the substrate. Normally we would print on vinyl, laminate, and then fix it to a board. This three-step process could involve up to three people. Now it is a one step, one person process as often the use of UV negates the need to laminate. This saves time and money. It is also more environmentally responsible as there is no need to use vinyl. We can also use eco boards and other more sustainable substrates such as 100% recycled Foamex.

‘Important too for us was the fact the white ink can be laid down in one pass. Normally this was a two-step process and this took more time and the quality was not always as good. When you are using expensive material like acrylic it is important to get it right. We also liked that it had its own red ink. No other flatbed machine prints its own red.’

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The prints were created and installed by local print service provider H2O, based just outside Cannes, using an HP Latex R2000 hybrid and Latex 3100 roll printer. H2O produced all of the signage and displays at the festival, including rigid panels, outdoor signage, barriers, banners and posters.

HP’s Latex technology met the festival’s specifications in terms of definition, lighting and colour consistency. The printers’ versatility was also key, enabling the creation of a wide range of applications; the HP Latex 3100 printer alone produced nearly two-thirds of the festival’s printed materials.

The Cannes Film Festival also partnered with HP to help meet the festival’s sustainable development goals. Since 2021, theFestival has partnered with firms specialising in the development of a circular economy to ensure material reuse within the cultural and educational sectors of the local region, including all event materials and marketing collateral, such as red carpets and print creations. HP’s water-based Latex technology was seen as being central to this.

Sylvain Vivier, director of H20, said, ‘In an increasingly digital world, the power of printed graphic arts remains as strong as ever. We set out to deliver imagery through technical and creative excellence, as well as expertise that aligns with our and Cannes’ CSR values. Along with HP, our collective commitment to sustainable printing is clear to see through the many print creations at the festival.’

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Clients sourcing graphics from MacroArt at the event were provided with a turnkey print, install, dismantle and take-back service for their stand graphic prints, ensuring that all materials were captured and brought back for recycling correctly. Analysis after the event showed that some 1500sqm of graphics materials was collected, graded and processed into suitable audited waste streams by MacroArt’s dedicated Sustainability Team. The team developed processes to minimise impact for clients on-site whilst maximising the quantity of materials reclaimed.

Matt Guise, MacroArt’s sales director, was delighted with the success of the initiative. ‘As the first of what we hope will be many turnkey projects, it was rewarding to see both how smoothly everything went and how much material we were able to redirect to our audited waste streams,’ he commented.

‘Our experience at ICE has clearly shown that making a significant reduction in waste at large-scale shows is more than achievable, and we are now focusing on delivering and improving this service at future events. By providing this for both individual clients, and large scale shows with multiple clients, we are once again proving our commitment to offering the most sustainable options for graphic production.’

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Speaking at the CCE International 2023 event in Munich, Mark Rust, DS Smith’s UK engineering manager, said the company hoped the seven-colour, 1.8m-wide Nozomi C18000 Plus printer would eventually see the phasing out of all of its screen printing. It still retains a single screen printer from a fleet that used to be 10-strong.

‘We have a lot of work in retail display that we are using litho and screen printing for. We’re hoping to get faster turnaround, especially since the Nozomi is single-pass, so instead of lots of processes we can get the job done in one. We will also get better utilisation of our skilled labour, and sustainability is a big factor too,’ said Mr Rust.

He added there was also work that could be switched from litho presses, which would help the sustainability argument for the EFI system, by reducing the need for chemistry and press clean-up on the litho side.

This is DS Smith’s second Nozomi, following the installation of one in Lisbon two years ago. The new system is expected to be printing commercial work in mid-May. The Ely site is being completely refitted and equipped partly with digital printing kit from DS Smith’s Aylesford site in Kent. When complete, the firepower at Ely will include two HP Scitex systems (an 11000 and a 17000), as well as die-cutting and some additional finishing assets.

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Ri-Jet PO100 is a 100-micron thick polyolefin plastic film suitable for the decoration of points of sale, shop windows and panels. The company says the film is exceptionally flexible in its latex, UV LED or UV-gel printable versions, with the added benefit that it can be removed from the application surface without leaving any traces. Due to its flame-retardant properties and because it complies with Reach and RoHS regulations, Ri-Jet PO100 is suitable for both outdoor and indoor applications.

Daniele Perotti, product manager for graphics at Fedrigoni Self-Adhesives, said, ‘Ri-Jet PO100 not only meets the demands of our end-users, major interior design, fashion and luxury brands, who prefer PVC-free solutions for their short-term communication campaigns, but also the commitments that Fedrigoni has undertaken in terms of sustainability and environmental impact, underpinned by precise life-cycle assessment calculations that have been extended to the entire range of products.’

Fedrigoni says certified data shows that the production of this film requires 2% less energy and 32.5% less water, reducing CO2 emissions by 15.5%. Its development is part of the company’s plan to reach its 2030 targets which include a 30% reduction in polluting emissions and 70% of its self-adhesive product volume incorporating cutting-edge sustainable features.

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