Issue 264 - April | May 2026 www.signlink.co.uk ▲ FESPA 2026 Preview We take a look at this year’s exhibition so you can plan your visit accordingly Page 35 Kongsberg Ultimate 24 Michael Walker reviews the most recent addition to the Kongsberg Ultimate family Page 19 Protecting against cyber-attacks SignLink asks several professionals about how to best protect against cyber threats Page 54 Adventures in Sign Painting Sam Roberts highlights the work of four talented signwriters based in Barcelona Page 31 Flatbed Printers in Focus We take a look at a selection of the latest flatbed printers on the market Page 50 Apprenticeships in Print Tom Brazier from KGK Genix shares his experience as an apprentice in wide-format print Page 24 Preview 35Page 2026
CONTENTS Issue:264 April | May 2026 ISSN 2976 - 9213 NEWS Industry 06 Business 10 Kit and consumables 12 applications 15 Events 17 SPECIALS Under the Hood: Kongsberg Ultimate 24 19 Industry Tips: Colin Sinclair McDermott 22 Fresh Perspectives: Tom Brazier 24 Company Spotlight: Signs Express - Swansea 28 Adventures in signpainting: Sam Roberts 31 FEATURES Events: FESPA 2026 PREVIEW 35 Specialist: Working with digital Screens 41 Business: Trade Signage 46 Hardware: flatbed Printers 50 Trending: cybersecurity 54 IN THIS ISSUE 31 35 06 28 15 24 19 12 3 www.signlink.co.uk Issue 264 - April | May 2026
ISSUE 264April | May 2026 Publishing director Page Tuck Production Ben Mallon Contributors Rob Fletcher, Michael Walker, Colin Sinclair McDermott, Sam Roberts, KGK Genix Contact Editorial: 0117 980 5040 Sales: 0117 960 3255 Production: 0117 980 5041 Accounts: 0117 980 5042 Socials Find us online www.signlink.co.uk All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying, recording or any information storage or retrieval system without the prior consent of the publisher. The views expressed by contributors to SignLink magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher or editorial team and Koru Media Ltd. takes no responsibility for any errors that may have occurred. The publisher also accepts no responsibility for the advertising content, including any error, omission or inaccuracy therein. Calls may be recorded for training purposes. Koru Media Ltd. retains the right to publish and re-publish any images or information sent to the publication. Koru Media Ltd. Unit G, Link House, Britton Gardens, Kingswood, Bristol BS15 1TF Editor David Osgar david@linkpublishing.co.uk Accounts Jan Thomas jan@linkpublishing.co.uk Features writer Rob Fletcher Rob@linkpublishing.co.uk Production manager Ben Mallon ben@linkpublishing.co.uk Accounts Kathryn Quinn k.quinn@linkpublishing.co.uk SignLink SignLinkMagazine printmonthly_signlink MEET THE TEAM VIDEO COVERAGE Scan the QR code to watch our video coverage over on our SignLink YouTube channel Commissioning editor Jonathan Pert jonathan@linkpublishing.co.uk Hello and welcome to SignLink April/ May! 2026 is finally starting to provide some blue skies and warmer weather in the UK, which also means better weather for signage, wide-format print, and outdoor displays. The Easter holidays also provide plenty of opportunities for seasonal displays, as well as a much-needed bank holiday weekend for many workers throughout signage and its associated industries. While it feels like Spring has only just arrived, it also won’t be long until FESPA returns to Europe, this time taking place in Barcelona, which is the first time the exhibition has been hosted in the city for 14 years. To celebrate its return, and get ready for the show, this edition of SignLink has plenty of information to get visitors ready for their visit. First up is our FESPA 2026 preview, which you can read on pages 35 to 39 and includes information all about this year’s six co-locating shows, as well as information about special attractions and exhibitors such as Mimaki Europe, Plockmatic Group, and for the very first time, Very Displays. On the theme of Spain and FESPA, we also have a special edition of Adventures in Sign Painting (pages 31 to 33) from Sam Roberts, who highlights many of the talented sign painters that reside in Barcelona, and whose work you can see throughout Barcelona, giving the perfect reason to take a break from the halls of FESPA to check out their work. On top of all that we have a raft of interesting features and specials including insights into cybersecurity (page 54), a viewpoint on apprenticeships from KGK Genix (page 24), and a celebration of success at Signs Express Swansea (page 28). As digital screens advance and become an addition to a display rather than an alternative, Jonathan Pert takes a look at the ways sign-makers can embrace and work with this technology (pages 41 to 44). Finally, Rob Fletcher speaks to a range of trade signage providers, in order to weigh up when best to utilise them, and the benefits of doing so. I hope you have a great April and May, and I’ll see you in the next one! EDITOR S NOTE Jude Corless, digital content & marketing executive at Hybrid Services, says that not only is the Mimaki JV200-160 solvent printer a fantastic asset to print businesses, but it also doubles up as the perfect reading stand for the latest issue of SignLink. Want to be featured in our next issue? Email: editor@signlink.co.uk WHERE ARE YOU READING SIGNLINK? Sales Page Tuck page@linkpublishing.co.uk Watch Online 4 email: editor@signlink.co.uk Issue 264 - April | May 2026 Printed on Sappi Magno Satin from EBB Paper CBP034244
6 email: editor@signlink.co.uk Issue 264 - April | May 2026 INDUSTRY | NEWS SignLink SignLinkMagazine printmonthly_signlink Data and market intelligence specialist, Keypoint Intelligence, has released two new forecast reports analysing the global wide-format print market through to 2029. The studies aim to examine how print volume, technology adoption, and application value are shifting across regions and production environments. The reports, namely the ‘2024– 2029 Global Wide Format Print Forecast’ and the ‘2024–2029 Wide Format Value of Print Forecast’, reveal a market that, in the words of Keypoint Intelligence, “continues to grow selectively,” with performance increasingly shaped by “application mix and technology choice rather than overall print volume alone.” Discussing the findings of the forecasts, Johnny Shell, senior principal analyst (Wide Format Printing) at Keypoint Intelligence, says: “Wide-format printing is becoming more focused and more disciplined. Growth is concentrating in specific technologies and applications, and understanding those shifts is critical for vendors and suppliers planning their next moves.” The Global Wide Format Print Forecast analyses hardware placements and print volumes across a number of ink technologies, highlighting changes in production behaviour and workflow priorities. The Wide Format Value of Print Forecast, by contrast, examines how print value is distributed by application and region, aiming to provide insight into where revenue opportunities are strengthening or softening. According to the reports, the wide-format market will see an increased emphasis on productivity and output efficiency, as well as diverging growth patterns across regions and applications. The industry is also likely to see significant and ongoing shifts in the technology and application mix through to 2029. The focus on efficiency, driven by intensifying competition, labour shortages, and rising operational costs, will require a disciplined approach, with growth concentrating on technologies that deliver faster high-value output rather than just higher volume. While the reports suggest that success in more mature markets will be based on high-productivity technology and consolidation, emerging economies may offer faster growth but with a higher chance of economic volatility. In many regions, sectors like décor, textiles, and packaging are currently outpacing the core signage market in terms of growth, with many vendors responding by further diversifying their offerings. This trend of diversification from both technology providers and vendors is set to continue in the coming years. Both of the wide-format print reports are available for purchase on the Keypoint Intelligence website. The reports suggest a growing emphasis on productivity and output efficiency KGK Genix has launched a new 12-month mentoring scheme designed to support personal development, strengthen leadership skills, and invest in the long-term growth of both its people and the wider business. The programme is designed to bring together junior and middle management with members of KGK Genix’s senior leadership team, creating structured time for knowledge sharing, open conversation, and tailored development. By focusing on real challenges and individual goals, the scheme aims to go beyond traditional training to create meaningful progression opportunities. Mentoring is delivered across the company’s creative, production, operations, and business management departments, allowing it to be embedded throughout the organisation. According to the company, the response to the programme has been very positive, with a high level of interest from both mentors and mentees. KGK launches mentoring scheme By Jonathan Pert The programme was announced during National Apprenticeship Week A local Manchester vape shop has received criticism for a signage installation which residents have called “overly aggressive” and “a visual eyesore.” The controversy centres on brightly illuminated signage installed on the exterior of MCR 1, a vape and snack shop in the Stevenson Square conservation area of Manchester. The business occupies the site of the former Milano barbershop and Vina's newsagents. Residents and community organisers have criticised the signage for being inconsistent with the character of Manchester’s Northern Quarter. Concerns from locals were also raised that the flashing lights on the sign could distract drivers and other road users in the busy square. The signage installation included a series of illuminated elements including internal illumination on a set of primary fascia signs, as well as a projecting faux-neon LED sign mounted perpendicular to the building’s face. Vape shop signage angers residents By Jonathan Pert The vape shop is situated in the historic Stevenson Square conservation area of Manchester. Image: Negative_Prompt1993 (Reddit) Keypoint Intelligence releases global wide-format forecasts By Jonathan Pert
7 www.signlink.co.uk Issue 264 - April | May 2026 INDUSTRY | NEWS Durst celebrates 90 years with Kyveris platform Print technology manufacturer, Durst Group, is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year, marking its evolution from a small photography workshop to a global provider of industrial and wide-format digital printing. Durst began in 1936 with two brothers opening a small workshop in Brixen, Italy, evolving over the decades from a small precision workshop into a key manufacturer of photographic technology. Durst made a big splash in the digital printing technology realm in 1994 with the launch of the Durst Lambda 130, which represented a key transition in print technology from analogue enlargers to digital imaging. Today, Durst solutions are offered in wide-format printing through the P5 platform, labels and flexo packaging through the Tau Platform, and a range of other specialised solutions including the Alpha Series of textile printers and UV-LED flatbeds through subsidiary, Vanguard. To mark the 90-year milestone, Durst has unveiled Kyveris, an AI-powered ‘production intelligence’ platform for digital production. Kyveris aims to transform digital printing and additive manufacturing by unifying files, machines, software, data, and AI into a single, autonomous production system that can optimise performance and reduce waste. While Durst is yet to reveal full details of Kyveris, the company says that it marks the transition from precision hardware to production intelligence, with all processes converging into an intelligent, continuously learning production system. The end-goal is to create a production environment that is transparent, reproducible, and increasingly autonomous – moving toward Durst’s vision of what it calls “the lights-out factory.” The manufacturer describes Kyveris as “the logical consequence of decades of in-house development in digital printing” as well as a “decisive step in the company’s industrial evolution.” Christoph Gamper, chief executive officer and co-owner of the Durst Group, says: “Durst has never been a manager of the status quo – we have always been a creator of the next standard. “After 90 years of precision engineering, we are taking the next logical step: production intelligence for digital printing and additive manufacturing. We no longer think of production as a machine or a workflow, but as an intelligent, continuously learning system. With Kyveris, we are defining the next evolutionary stage of digital production technology.” Durst will present Kyveris at FESPA Global Print Expo 2026 Brother announces plans to acquire Mutoh Japanese hardware manufacturer, Brother Industries, has announced its ambitions to acquire the outstanding shares of Mutoh Holdings, including the company’s wide-format printer business, in order to support its strategic growth plans. Under the offer, Brother will launch an acquisition initiative for all outstanding assets of Mutoh, excluding treasury shares, at an offer price of ¥7,626 (£35.79) per share, with the total offer valued at ¥35bn (£160m). As part of this deal, MUTOH would be converted into a wholly owned subsidiary of Brother. A number of released documents from Brother outline the commencement of the tender offer, which outlines its aims to secure a stronger product lineup and market position within the printing sector. According to the documents, Brother will use its own funds for the acquisition, with one of the core justifications of the purchase being to benefit from economies of scale through joint procurement and standardisation of manufacturing. Brother’s acquisition would include Mutoh’s full lineup of printers and inks Clearer messaging needed for recycling says EPIC Media Vehicle wrapping and graphics expert, EPIC Media, has called on councils to provide clearer messaging following recycling reforms that first came into effect across the UK last year. Simpler Recycling is a UK government initiative, effective from April 2025, that standardises recycling collections across England with the aim of making it easier for households and businesses to recycle. EPIC Media is urging local authorities and waste operators to prioritise visible, consistent public messaging as food waste collections expand and change. Rather than viewing vehicle and fleet graphics purely as branding, EPIC positions them as an “ongoing communications platform.” According to EPIC, rapid wrap solutions and changeable graphic systems will allow authorities to update messaging in line with phased rollouts, policy adjustments, and resident education campaigns. As authorities review fleet procurement, depot capacity, and container distribution, EPIC Media is encouraging waste teams and communications departments to align operational planning with visible, consistent messaging. EPIC Media Group has provided vehicle graphics to authorities for over 20 years By Jonathan Pert By Jonathan Pert By Jonathan Pert
SignLink SignLinkMagazine printmonthly_signlink 10 email: editor@signlink.co.uk Issue 264 - April | May 2026 BUSINESS | NEWS FASTSIGNS Peterborough has been acquired by a consortium of industry specialists led by director at Encompass Print Solutions, Paul Watson, and print industry veteran, Bill Goss. Part of FASTSIGNS UK’s franchise network now spanning 23 locations, the Peterborough centre has delivered bespoke signage and visual communications solutions since 2005, with clients including local government, construction sites, and large-scale retailers. The centre will now operate with Goss as general manager, who brings over 25 years of experience including 16 years running his own print provider, WillGo Media. Goss’ background spans traditional print, small-format, and publication printing, as well as wide-format graphics for events and commercial environments. Joining the FASTSIGNS team as part of its updated ownership structure, Goss will be responsible for overseeing the centre’s day-to-day operations, customer relationships, and the ongoing training and development of the five-strong team. Current owner at FASTSIGNS Peterborough, Antony Riley, will now work as a sales professional for the business, with Paul Robinson continuing as sales manager. [Pictured] The team at FASTSIGNS Peterborough Investment group acquires FASTSIGNS Peterborough Bauer Media Outdoor (BMO) has announced the rebrand of Amscreen, which it acquired in September 2025, renaming it ‘Bauer Media Outdoor Technic’ and further integrating it within the wider Bauer Media Group. The new BMO Technic division will bring Bauer’s digital screen manufacture fully in-house, providing greater control over the quality and development of its digital out-of-home (DOOH) estate. Amscreen officially became part of the Bauer Media Group following a sale by well-known business owner, Lord Alan Sugar. Lord Sugar was Amscreen’s chairman while his son, Simon Sugar, was chief executive officer of the company. Amscreen was the main supplier of Clear Channel (now BMO) screens across the UK and Europe, with installations in countries including Spain and the Netherlands. It also was a key manufacturing partner to BMO for many years. The rebrand of Amscreen, which is reportedly Europe’s largest manufacturers of digital outdoor signage, marks a major step in BMO’s goal to further expand its out-of-home (OOH) infrastructure in the UK and Europe. The purchase of Amscreen follows Bauer Media’s acquisition of Clear Channel Europe in January 2025, which included more than 100,000 advertising spaces and 1,600 dedicated employees. Bauer’s commercial offering is also set to continue growing as Adshel Live, currently the UK’s largest DOOH network, is predicted to expand to 4,600 screens by the end of 2026. Focus will remain on increasing the company’s national footprint as part of Bauer’s ‘Life Beyond London’ proposition, which it says will allow brands to reach up to 85% of UK audiences that live outside the M25. Other new contracts and expansions from BMO include the recently launched Storm Leith Street advertising site in Edinburgh, a new contract to install and operate a network of 300 digital screens across Morrisons supermarkets, and the extension of its Sainsbury’s Live digital retail network. BMO Technic will operate as the new engineering division of Bauer Media Outdoor Bauer Media rebrands Amscreen following acquisition AlphaGraphics, a provider of print, signage, and visual communications, has acquired the signs and engraving divisions of North East sign-maker, N-Sign. As part of the transaction, AlphaGraphics has acquired the N Sign brand name, website, and full customer portfolio for the sign and engraving divisions. The current owner of N-Sign, Alun Pearson, will retain and continue to operate the street signage and pharmacy cross sectors of the business independently, with effort made to ensure continuity for all existing clients and partners. The acquisition is part of AlphaGraphics’ wider expansion across the UK, with the aim of strengthening its capabilities in specialist fabrication, engraving, and bespoke sign production. AlphaGraphics will continue to operate the N-Sign website and customer channels while integrating production into its expanding network. All existing N-Sign staff will transition to AlphaGraphics as part of the acquisition. According to AlphaGraphics, existing N-Sign customers should expect a seamless transition, with AlphaGraphics retaining the N-Sign identity to maintain brand familiarity and service continuity. AlphaGraphics acquires N-Sign divisions N-Sign was established in 2000 in Stockton-on-Tees By Jonathan Pert By Jonathan Pert By Jonathan Pert
11 www.signlink.co.uk Issue 264 - April | May 2026 BUSINESS | NEWS Garment decoration manufacturer, MiRiCal Emblems, has reached an agreement to acquire the heat transfer assets and goodwill of Birmingham-based garment product producer, Ikon EU. Under the deal with Ikon EU’s owners, Pre-Print, Ikon EU has ceased manufacture of its range of heat-applied transfers and badges from the end of February, with production now transferring to MiRiCal’s Blidworth, Nottinghamshire factory. MiRiCal has also acquired all of the artwork files created by Ikon for its customers, with the aim of enabling a seamless transition between suppliers for around 40 UK-based customers. MiRiCal’s managing director, Jonathan Dul, says: “I am delighted to have reached this agreement and look forward to welcoming Ikon’s loyal customers into the MiRiCal family. We have directly comparable products with similar performance and pricing levels, and I can guarantee that customers won’t be negatively impacted by the transition.” MiRiCal Emblems was founded in 1993 with a focus on the workwear and safetywear markets. It currently employs 45 staff from its 15,000sq ft Nottinghamshire headquarters. Both MiRiCaL and Ikon developed similar specialisms in the production of technical transfers, with products designed to meet the needs of both domestic and industrial wash resistance alongside dye-migration blocking capability, and the option of specialist reflective products. Hertfordshire-based signage specialist, FASTSIGNS St Albans, has officially relocated to a brand-new location, after what has been calculated to be its most successful year to date. The company, which recently marked its five-year anniversary as part of the FASTSIGNS UK network, has relocated its centre from Hearle Way in Hatfield to the Sphere Industrial Estate in St Albans, bringing its visual communications services closer to the city’s business community. The relocation to a new 3,100sq ft home comes off the back of a strong year of sales in 2025, which saw a reported 30% growth in turnover. 2025 also saw the company expand its team with the appointment of a new graphic designer. The new centre aims to provide space for the signage company to further expand its team and output. Its previous premises was a shared workspace, home to both FASTSIGNS St Albans and SIM Imaging, a producer of handmade photo products. The businesses, co-owned by managing director Lee Simpson, combined their services, working for brands including Universal and McLaren. Simpson has since sold SIM Imaging, now setting his sights on delivering an end-to-end service at FASTSIGNS by expanding into other markets. Commenting on the business’s relocation, Simpson says: “The growth we saw last year is a testament to the appetite for high-quality visual communications. Our new home, closer to St Albans’ business community, and larger to enable us to future-proof our operations, is designed to enable us to respond to that demand even quicker than we did before.” [Pictured] The FASTSIGNS St Albans team at the new company headquarters MiRiCal acquires assets of Ikon EU The Sussex Sign Company has become the first ‘Metamark approved’ vehicle wrapping centre in Sussex, following a full technical inspection by vehicle wrapping media manufacturer, Metamark UK. The accreditation confirms that The Sussex Sign Company meets Metamark’s required standards for vehicle wrapping environments, installation processes, workmanship, and quality control, placing the business among a select group of manufacturer-approved wrapping centres nationwide. The award was formally presented by Matthew Lewis, regional sales manager at Metamark UK, following the successful completion of the approval process. The assessment covered facility layout, workflow, surface preparation, application techniques, and the correct use of Metamark automotive films. The Sussex Sign Company has worked with Metamark for more than 25 years, dating back to the installation of the signage company’s first digital print equipment. FASTSIGNS St Albans relocates after ‘best ever year’ Sussex Sign Company awarded Metamark accreditation MiRiCal has also acquired all of the artwork files created for Ikon customers By Jonathan Pert By Jonathan Pert
SignLink SignLinkMagazine printmonthly_signlink 12 email: editor@signlink.co.uk Issue 264 - April | May 2026 KIT & CONSUMABLES | NEWS UK wide-format printer, The Big Ink Tank, has installed an Anapurna Ciervo H3200 hybrid UV LED inkjet printer from manufacturer, Agfa. Founded in 2009, The Big Ink Tank provides a variety of wide-format print and installation services for clients including exhibitions, signage, and gallery and museum graphics. Ty Power, founder of The Big Ink Tank, says: “We’re not a sausage factory – everything we do is pretty much bespoke, and our margins are based on adding value through creativity and service rather than just chasing volume.” The Big Ink Tank upgraded to the new Agfa Anapurna Ciervo H3200 with flexibility in mind, replacing an existing Anapurna H3200i UV LED wide-format printer that was installed in 2018. The print company’s transition to Agfa inkjet digital printing technology was also driven by the need for greater substrate compatibility and increased ink efficiency. Print press manufacturer, Epson, has announced the launch of the SC-V4000 A1+ UV printer, the latest addition to its flatbed lineup. Epson’s existing UV flatbed solutions include the SC-V7000, Epson’s first wide-format UV LED flatbed introduced in 2020, and the SC-V1000, which was first introduced in 2024. The new ten-colour SC-V4000 printer meets the demand for increased productivity, image quality, and useability in what Epson sees as a growing A1/ A2 UV flatbed segment. The SC-V4000 is designed for businesses operating in limited spaces, offering significant productivity gains in comparison to previous models while optimising space efficiency. It has also been developed to achieve enhanced image quality with sharp text reproduction printing text as small as 2pt, catering to the printing of high-quality personalised items such as fine art, photography, and signage. The SC-V4000 can print on objects up to 200mm thick and, by using Epson’s own UV DTFilm solution, can print onto a range of curved and challenging substrates. Using three PrecisionCore printheads with 400 nozzles per row, the new printer can support full-speed printing at 300 dpi, allowing for three-layer printing of white, colour, and varnish concurrently. The SC-V4000 is also designed for simplified front end operation and maintenance, enabling users to manage daily tasks such as gantry movement, nozzle checks, ink replenishments, and waste ink tank from the front. The new Epson SC-V4000 flatbed UV will be available from summer 2026. The Big Ink Tank installs new Anapurna Ciervo H3200 Epson launches SC-V4000 UV flatbed [L to R] Ty Power and James Argent, sales manager at Agfa By Jonathan Pert Mimaki has announced the launch of the UJ330H-160, a new hybrid UV inkjet printer designed to help sign-makers and print service providers expand their print capabilities within a small footprint. As part of Mimaki’s existing 330 Series, the UJ330H-160 is designed to bring the series’ image quality and productivity into a more versatile hybrid configuration. Developed in response to market demand across EMEA for flexible, investment-conscious production environments, the system enables switching between roll media and rigid substrates in a single platform. A newly developed conveyor belt transport system has been developed to ensure stable feeding of various roll materials without wrinkling or sagging, including previously challenging substrates such as thin window films, fabric, and synthetic leather. The UJ330H-160 will be available from April 2026 and will be showcased at industry exhibitions across Europe including FESPA Global Print Expo 2026 and in the UK at Crewe Alexandra FC’s Hybrid Lounge on April 15th. Glasgow-based signs and vehicle branding specialist, Fast Signs Scotland, has reported positive results after being selected in early 2025 as one of the first global beta sites for Fujifilm’s new Acuity Triton printer, which is powered by the new AQUAFUZE ink technology. The Acuity Triton, combined with the water-based LED UV AQUAFUZE ink, is designed to provide the benefits of both eco-solvent and UV technologies in a single solution, with features including instant drying and strong scratch resistance. The press also offers the flexibility required for applications such as vehicle graphics, with Fast Signs Scotland also reporting major benefits in terms of productivity and application quality. Managing director of Fast Signs, Robert Lambie, has been working closely with Fujifilm since the installation of the Triton, including testing the AQUAFUZE ink on a wide variety of materials. Lambie says: “The machine is very easy to run, from loading media to the RIP software – everything just works with very little effort.” Robert Lambie, managing director of Fast Signs, with the Fujifilm Acuity Triton Mimaki launches UJ330H-160 hybrid UV press “Brilliant” results for Fujifilm Acuity Triton The UJ330H-160 is designed to offer a more versatile hybrid configuration of Mimaki’s existing 330 Series By Jonathan Pert By Jonathan Pert By Jonathan Pert
13 www.signlink.co.uk Issue 264 - April | May 2026 KIT & CONSUMABLES | NEWS Basic Prints invests in second Kornit UK clothing manufacturer, Basic Prints, has expanded its digital production capacity with a second Kornit Apollo direct-to-garment (DTG) system, marking a strategic shift to supporting a digital-first manufacturing model. With the purchase of its second Kornit Apollo, Basic Prints has now transitioned the majority of its UK production from traditional screen printing to fully automated digital mass production. The DTG press is designed to manage complex graphics without setup limitations and switch designs instantly while maintaining consistent industrial level quality. With two Apollo systems running at industrial scale, Basic Prints is capable of producing thousands of prints per day. The second Kornit Apollo will allow Basic Prints to produce thousands of prints per day Data Direct, a UK distributor of print and imaging solutions, has announced the availability of the new 64-inch Mutoh XpertJet 1641SR Pro II, the latest eco-solvent wide-format printer from Mutoh. The press combines Mutoh’s latest AccuFine HD Pro printhead with the new i-Screen EX print control system. The AccuFine printhead features eight nozzle rows with intelligent nozzle pairing capabilities designed to improve ink placement accuracy for each colour. Working in tandem with Mutoh’s i-Screen EX system, the technology aims to ensure strong colour uniformity, finer detail reproduction, and highly stable production performance. As an official Mutoh distributor, Data Direct will provide full commercial, technical, and after-sales support including product demonstrations, reseller training, and access to its nationwide service and support infrastructure. Resolute Ink, the ink and conusmables subsidiary of direct-to-film (DTF) print press manufacturer, Resolute DTF, has announced significant investment in a new ink manufacturing facility. The move has been highlighted by the company as an investment in "Britain’s manufacturing future," during what it calls a “difficult time” for the UK economy. The investment is aiming to meet increasing demand for a new addition to one of Resolute’s most succesful products – Resolute Premium. Following testing during Q4 of 2025, Resolute responded to customer feedback by launching the new and improved Resolute Premium White Ink, which was then followed by a full CMYKRGBO inkset. Resolute Premium is said to have higher-quality components than previous versions, with low sediment properties that don’t affect opacity. The new formulation is also designed to provide a brighter and denser white with better coverage and stretch properties compared to the original formulation. The company says that this solution separates it from the other DTF ink re-sellers that re-label imported products. The new lab, which is already in production, means that Resolute will be following strict quality control along with new quality and continuity standards. The new facility has the capacity to produce up to two tonnes of the new sediment white ink per week and has been designed to allow future growth as more screen printers make the jump to digital transfer production. A second core product from Resolute is set to be manufactured in Q3 of 2026 Data Direct launches new Mutoh XpertJet Resolute Ink invests in new production facility The XpertJet 1641SR Pro II uses Mutoh’s latest AccuFine HD Pro printhead By David Osgar By Jonathan Pert APS installs new Dantex label press Specialist label press manufacturer, Dantex Group, has recently completed the installation of a PicoJet 1200 DRS digital label press for print and signage provider, APS Graphics. Based in Swindon, APS now offers a range of bespoke print and graphics including superwide-format, wide-format, and small-format printing capabilities. The company purchased the PicoJet 1200 to expand its short-run digital label capability. As its label offering developed, the business identified the need for a production-level inkjet solution capable of delivering white ink, higher volumes, and improved cost efficiency compared with toner-based technology. Provider of display hardware, Very Displays, has announced the new Fast Fold Lightbox, a portable system designed to be lightweight and easy to assemble for events, retail, pop-ups, and brand activations. Very Displays says the solution has been created for businesses and customers that value both “efficiency” and “high-quality presentation” citing its ability to provide illumination and a professional finish but with a simplified setup. The Fast Fold Lightbox is said to have an assembly time of one minute and can be altered to make larger displays and modular environments, thanks to its foldable frame and built-in magnetic connectors. By Jonathan Pert The APS team with the new Dantex PicoJet 1200 DRS digital label press The Fast Fold Lightbox is available to order online or by contacting the Very Displays sales team By Jonathan Pert Very Displays releases new lightbox
Astra Group, a UK full-service provider of signage solutions, has completed a seven-figure wayfinding contract for Manchester Airport. The company was tasked with designing, manufacturing, and installing new signage throughout the international airport’s new Terminal 2, aiming to make traveller navigation easier and more efficient. The wayfinding project, delivered by Astra in collaboration with contractors MACE Group and BAM Construction, took two years to complete including design, production, and installation. The contract saw a significant number of products delivered by Astra spanning the airport approach, forecourt, check in and departure desks, and pier. The contract forms part of Manchester Airport Group’s £1.3bn transformation of the UK’s third largest airport into a “key global gateway”, with the aim of increasing the number of passengers passing through the transport hub from an average of 2,300 per hour to 7,000. Speaking more about the challenges of the project, Dyke adds: “This was a complex programme with significant technical challenges, requiring an innovative and carefully coordinated approach to ensure full Aviation Security in Airport Development (ASIAD) compliance while aligning with the wider vision for the space. “We are grateful for the collaborative approach taken by Manchester Airports Group, Mace Group, and BAM Construction throughout the programme. Delivering a project of this scale demanded close partnership and shared commitment, and we’re extremely pleased with the result achieved together.” The two-year contract included installing new signage throughout Manchester Airport’s new Terminal 2 Nine red telephone boxes in Preston are set to be reimagined using bespoke LED technology, introducing a new public ‘digital art’ feature to the city centre. Digital display specialist, ADI, has unveiled plans for a new installation on Market Street, where traditional Grade II listed telephone boxes will be transformed to showcase curated digital artwork and community-led content. ADI has been commissioned by Preston City Council, who have bought and restored the listed telephone boxes using government funding. Located along the Preston Flag Market in the heart of the city, the telephone boxes will be fitted with LED displays designed to deliver visuals while integrating into the surrounding streetscape. Working with Preston-based architects, Studio John Bridge, the installation has been designed for optimal viewing from across the street and aims to provide Preston City Council with a platform to showcase digital art, seasonal themes, and locally relevant content throughout the year. The installation will use ADI’s own MT Series of digital screens, a lightweight and slimline LED display product with design features that aim to promote energy efficiency, reliability, and sustainability over its operational lifespan. According to ADI, the installation also incorporates discreet audio, with speakers installed to provide subtle ambient sound. Plans for the installation have been submitted by Preston City Council with more details on the installation date yet to be announced. The screens will showcase digital art, seasonal themes, and locally relevant content By Jonathan Pert Preston telephone boxes set to be transformed Signs Express Belfast and material supplier, Drytac, have collaborated on a project for the Belfast Giants, an Elite Ice Hockey League team based at the SEE Arena. The team at Signs Express used Drytac’s SpotOn White M50 monomeric PVC film to create ice rink board graphics where the Belfast Giants play their home games. The graphics were used for several games in the Champions Hockey League, which is the largest club ice hockey competition in Europe. A part of the Signs Express franchise, Signs Express Belfast has run since 1999 under the management of Brendan O’Donnell, who was later joined by his daughter Cathy Johnston in 2000. Johnston took over the business in 2006 and ensured she built on her father’s legacy after his passing in 2019. Signs Express Belfast has been providing rink side advertising to the Giants since the ice hockey team was formed 25 years ago. For this latest project, a solution was needed that could be easily overlaid over the permanent league graphics and removed afterwards with no damage. SpotOn White M50 was purchased from Premier GPMI, Drytac’s exclusive stockist in Ireland. The material features a unique removable dot-pattern adhesive and features light-blocking properties that make it 50% more opaque than standard SpotOn White. The graphics were printed on an Epson SureColor S80600 which resulted in high colour accuracy for the branding of sponsors, which was crucial due to the games being broadcast on Sky TV. According to Drytac, SpotOn White M50 enabled fast, efficient installation of rink-side graphics Signs Express Belfast plays it cool with Drytac APPLICATIONS | NEWS Astra Group completes seven-figure Manchester Airport contract By David Osgar 15 www.signlink.co.uk Issue 264 - April | May 2026
www.thesignshow.co.uk | 0117 980 5049 | sales@thesignshow.co.uk @printshowuk company/thesignshow Hall 1 NEC Birmingham 29 September - 01 October 2026 Dedicated to the far-reaching UK signmaking industry, The Sign Show will host its second edition in 2026, again focusing on providing the solutions sign companies need to succeed and grow. Co-located with The Print Show, the event will address the core areas of signmaking, offering insight into the processes, materials and technologies across segments such as sign fabrication, sign lighting, vinyl wrapping, CNC production and digital signage. For more information visit our website: www.thesignshow.co.uk The UK’s annual dedicated sign expo co-located with
EVENTS | NEWS Print industry software specialist, OneVision, will present its latest solutions for networked and automated production at four events of the swissQprint Roadshow 2026 this year. Participants will have the opportunity to experience OneVision software in action alongside swissQprint wide-format printing machines. The roadshow events will demonstrate the integrated production capabilities of OneVision software and swissQprint’s printing systems, which together create an end-to-end workflow from file preparation and automated prepress to the finished print product. OneVision’s Wide Format Automation Suite can take raw customer files and run them through preflight systems including Asura, which automatically scans the files to make changes including converting transparency and handling colour management. Other tools include a Wide Format Nesting module which can automatically arrange different jobs on a single bed to minimise substrate waste, communicating with the swissQprint’s output controller to ensure the file aligns with the machine's vacuum zones. The OneVision suite can also automatically prepare cut lines, generating XML/cut data for finishing tables such as Zünd or Kongsberg in advance of the finishing stage. OneVision's first stop was at swissQprint’s home country of Switzerland, at the swissQprint DACH Open House on March 18th and 19th. Automated workflows, optimised job preparation, and direct machine connectivity were demonstrated at the showcase, with the aim of showing how intelligently connected software and hardware can significantly accelerate throughput. On April 22nd and 23rd, the roadshow will continue at the swissQprint UK headquarters in Bracknell. The UK event will focus on practical insights and real production scenarios, with a series of live demonstrations. The roadshow will then move on to Northern Germany in June before concluding in Kerpen, also in Germany, in September. Detailed event information and registration for the events will be available on the swissQprint website from the beginning of April. SwissQprint and OneVision team up for European roadshow By Jonathan Pert PVC-free wide-format materials brand, Kavalan, has announced the return of the Kavalan Green Leader Awards for 2026, building on the momentum of its inaugural programme launched in 2025. The awards, which recognise outstanding wide-format print projects produced using Kavalan’s PVC-free materials, will once again celebrate customers, creatives, and print service providers (PSPs) which are deemed to be pushing sustainability forward. For 2026, Kavalan is expanding the programme with the introduction of the Green Spark category, designed to engage students, apprentices, and early-career creative professionals. Green Spark invites participants to develop a conceptual wide-format print project that demonstrates how sustainable, PVC-free materials can be used to bring ideas to life, whether through experiential installations, retail environments, community projects, or brand activations. The 2026 awards will be judged by an independent panel of industry voices, with returning judges including Marcus Timson, co-founder of FuturePrint; Steve Lister, global sustainability consultant; and Nick Widdowson, founder of ShopperFIRST and board member of POPAI UK & Ireland. Joining the judging panel for the 2026 awards are Lucy Swanston, managing director of Nutshell Creative, and Jack Gocher, editor of Eye on Display. Winners of the Kavalan Green Leader Awards will be announced live at FESPA Global Print Expo 2026, which is taking place in Barcelona from May 19th to 22nd. The inaugural awards attracted a range of international entries and showcased a diverse range of applications, from large-scale building wraps and construction hoardings to retail installations and experiential projects. Among the inaugural award winners was materials supplier, Blue Rhine, which received the Green Spirit Award for its work at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic at Emirates Golf Club. Recognised by Kavalan for its “education-led approach to sustainability,” Blue Rhine was praised for helping customers across the GCC region adopt PVC-free wide-format print solutions in some of the world’s most challenging climate conditions. Entries for the Kavalan Green Leader Awards 2026 are now open and are free to enter. Submitted projects must have been completed within the official assessment period, which runs from March 1st 2024 to February 28th 2026. More information about the competition rules and deadlines can be found on the Kavalan Printing website. Shortlisted entrants will be notified by email by May 1st, 2026, with winners informed by May 11th and officially announced live at FESPA Global Print Expo in Barcelona. Image: Embrace Building Wraps (2025 Kavalan winner) Kavalan Green Leader Awards return for 2026 The roadshow will land at the swissQprint UK headquarters in Bracknell on April 22nd and 23rd By Jonathan Pert 17 www.signlink.co.uk Issue 264 - April | May 2026
18 email: editor@signlink.co.uk Issue 264 - April | May 2026 Sign Directory 2024 SE Indasol - Adhesive Tapes No: 31870
For any sign-maker already handling rigid materials, the move into printing onto corrugated looks like a fairly natural progression and opens up new applications in point-of-sale (POS) display and constructional materials for exhibitions, as well as customised short-run or sample packaging production. But the material has its own particular characteristics and existing finishing gear might not be suitable for the combination of cutting, creasing, and perforation that’s needed. That’s what Kongsberg’s Ultimate line of cutting tables is designed for. Previewed at a customer event at the end of 2023 and launched to the wider world at drupa 2024, the new family was designed to provide a significant hike in performance for the requirements of complex corrugated finishing, particularly in the light of continuing trends for shorter runs, more custom and complex shapes, plus pressure for both increased sustainability and profitability as printing systems get faster and finishing needs to keep up. The Cut of a Thousand Lifts To do what was needed, Kongsberg studied a range of typical jobs in detail and worked out how best to optimise performance and accuracy with some engineering innovations. Research director, Simon Kvanvik, notes that some POS /Free Standing Display Unit (FSDU) jobs could have up to a thousand cutting tool lifts in addition to the various cuts or creases that are made in the substrate, and that increasing cutting speed alone isn’t necessarily the answer. “We built an analysis of how increased speed or acceleration would affect performance in typical jobs. We found that increased acceleration has four to five times the impact of increased [maximum] speed,” he explains, “but you need both for the best performance.” Therefore, a key design objective for the Ultimate range is how fast the cutting head assembly can be accelerated (and decelerated), in not just the usual x and y directions but also including the raising and lowering of the cutting head. The result uses a variant on the linear direct drive motor that Kongsberg calls PrecisionDrive, to achieve acceleration of up to 2.7G (G being the acceleration due to gravity at sea level, just under 10m/s2); for comparison Kongsberg’s C-series tables manage up to about 1.7G and the X series up to about 0.56G. Linear speed tops out at just over 167m per min, compared to 100m per min in the C-series and half that in the X series. The increase in productivity in real world use is harder to quantify as it depends very much on the nature of the job. Long straight cuts, as might be found in cutting out banners for soft signage, benefit more from the speed boost, while complex POS/ point-of-purchase (POP) cut-outs or folding carton production will gain more from the greater acceleration across a multitude of short cuts or creases. Kvanvik points out that the performance boost doesn’t come at the cost of a tradeKongsberg set its sights on the corrugated market with the 2024 launch of the Ultimate line of digital cutting tables, aiming to bring new levels of performance with no loss of precision. Michael Walker looks at the smallest member of the family Finding the Best Cut with the Kongsberg Ultimate 24 Michael Walker is a trade journalist, technical writer, and editor with over 37 years’ experience in the print, prepress, photography, and digital imaging sectors, with a particular interest in the digital transformation of processes. In addition to editing Desktop Publishing Today and Digital Printer magazines, he is co-author with Neil Barstow of Getting Colour Right (Ilex Press, 2004) and Practical Colour Management for Photographers and Digital Image Makers (2009, self-published e-book) and winner of a Communicators in Business Gold Award. UNDER THE HOOD | KONGSBERG ULTIMATE 24 19 www.signlink.co.uk Issue 264 - April | May 2026
off against precision and repeatability, saying the Ultimate line was “built for topnotch precision at top speed”. Konsgberg doesn’t quote figures for either precision or repeatability for the Ultimate tables, but Kvanvik says that they match or exceed previous models, while running faster. He advises customers to bring samples of the material they want to cut when attending demonstrations. Clean-Cut The quality of the cut matters too, especially in corrugated, where die-cutting is accepted as the benchmark. Kongsberg’s design in the Ultimate range exerts the same 50kg equivalent downforce as in previous models, but in the larger two tables in the Ultimate range, this is helped by a novel carbon fibre gantry beam, designed for minimal weight and maximum stiffness. In the smaller models, of which the Ultimate 24 is the smallest, at 1680 x 3200mm work area, an extruded aluminium beam is sufficient and helps yield the highest acceleration figure of the range, at 2.74G. Kongsberg’s CorruSpeed tool provides static knives to yield clean edges without burrs on cuts, and there’s an oscillating option for the thicker materials used in exhibition stand and furniture construction. 150mm diameter creasing and perforation wheels apply the necessary force without tearing the fibres of the substrate. There’s no router option for the Ultimate series but other than resistant materials like acrylic, metal, or wood which require that, the new tables can cut the vast majority of printable rigid media used in signage work. The quality of cut achieved means that results in packaging sample-making should very much look like what conventional die cutting in volume production would, while also giving crisp edges to complex cut-out shapes increasingly being used to make POS/POP displays stand out in the retail environment. The Ultimate tables can be used in multi-zone mode in which one board can be loaded or removed while the table is working on another, to maximise throughput. It can also be fed automatically by Kongsberg’s Smart Materials Handler, which was introduced late in 2025, and robotic handling options are available for the highest levels of productivity. This is all complemented by a two-stage sensorbased SmartZone safety system which will first slow the cutting head if it detects movement nearby or stop it altogether if anything gets too close. As well as generally keeping work moving, this also avoids some of the potential quality problems with stopping mid-cut. Kongsberg supplies software to drive the tables but can increasingly integrate with prepress and CAD workflows (not least Esko’s, of which Kongsberg used to be a part of), reading cut/crease information from PDF layers or DXF files, as well as some proprietary file types. Kvanvik notes some customers with the most integrated and automated end-to-end installations are using JDF as the backbone but says that “you can do a lot with PDF”. The company also has an Adobe Illustrator plug-in which is about to gain additional metadata capabilities, as part of a ‘material is key’ concept in which including the name of the substrate in metadata can help set the right parameters for cutting it; job details can also be called up automatically from QR or barcodes printed on the edge of the media. If corrugated production is already part of your repertoire, the Ultimate 24 or its larger siblings may help give you a productivity boost. However, if you’re new to this work, but like the idea of expanding into new materials applications in packaging, whether prototyping or small scale custom production, it might be just the ticket. Working Area: 1680 x 3200mm (MultiZone two 1680 x 1450mm areas) Cut Type: Through-cut, perforate, and crease via choice of knives and wheels Media: All rigid/semi rigid types, especially corrugated, up to 30mm thick, but no routing Max Cut Speed: 167.5m/min Max Acceleration: 2.74G Statistics ▲The Ultimate range features three tool positions ▼The system has a infinite linear motor drive for higher cutting speeds KONGSBERG ULTIMATE 24 20 email: editor@signlink.co.uk Issue 264 - April | May 2026
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