44 email: editor@signlink.co.uk Issue 267 - October | November 2026 “Another important area is adhesive technology. Manufacturers are continuing to improve products that offer easier application, better repositionability, stronger initial tack where needed, and cleaner removability. These advances make a real difference for installers and help sign-makers deliver more reliable results across a wider variety of surfaces.” Green also highlights changes in architectural and interior applications where demand is being driven by the need for surface finishes that combine aesthetics with functionality. Antalis expects to see continued growth in films that can transform interiors quickly and cost-effectively, especially in commercial, hospitality, retail, and workplace environments. When it comes to challenges, Green also points to important elements during installation: “One of the most common challenges is achieving a smooth, efficient application on difficult surfaces – whether that is curved panels, textured walls, low-energy plastics, or large-format glazing. Installers want materials that are forgiving, repositionable where needed, and designed to reduce issues such as bubbling, tunnelling, lifting, or shrinkage.” Print compatibility is major factor Green also highlights when discussing the considerations sign-makers should have when weighing up different materials. “It is essential to choose materials that perform consistently with the intended print technology, whether that is latex, UV, solvent, or eco-solvent. Sign-makers should also consider the overall finish they want to achieve, including colour vibrancy, texture, opacity, and whether a laminate is required for added protection or aesthetic effect.” A material option that has seen increased popularity in recent years has been textiles, thanks to the desire for adaptable and reusable solutions. Soyang Europe is one supplier of these types of products, offering digitally printable media to the wide-format print, signage, and display industries. “We offer an extensive portfolio that includes printable and backlit textiles, selfadhesive media, PVC and non-PVC banner materials, flooring and display products,” explains Oliver Mashiter, sales director at Soyang Europe. When explaining how it develops its solutions, Mashiter says: “Sustainability is becoming an increasingly important part of this development process. There is growing demand for alternatives to traditional materials, but these products still need to deliver the print quality, durability, and performance expected by customers.” Talking more about its textile offerings, Mashiter says that the versatility of textile means it can be used across a host of applications, while developments in textile structures are helping address requirements around print quality, finishing, installation, and appearance. Newer solutions like Nightstar Blackback Inno are generating more customer interest and demonstrating the continued appetite for innovative textile solutions. “More broadly, customers are looking for materials that strike a balance between performance, sustainability, and commercial value,” says Mashiter, who adds: “It is no longer simply a question of selecting the cheapest material per square metre. Now, customers are increasingly considering how the material performs throughout the entire production and installation process.” When asked about the considerations sign-makers should have when weighing up different options, Mashiter emphasises that cost per square metre is important, but is only one part of the overall calculation. Mashiter says that sign-makers and printers should consider the total cost of producing and delivering the finished application, including printing, finishing, installation, and end-of-life options. “Material selection should be driven by the specific application rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. For example, the requirements for a short-term exhibition graphic can be very different from those of a long-term retail or interior application, and sign-makers should keep this in mind when making their choice. “Printer and ink compatibility is also key, as is the consistency of the material’s production and its availability. A material may offer an attractive price, but if it creates ▲ Antalis says that manufacturers are creating products with stronger initial tack where needed, and cleaner removability ▼ Michael Crook, commercial director at CMYUK Textile printing dates back to ancient civilisations, with techniques like block printing being used in China as early as the 3rd century AD. These early methods relied on handcarved wooden blocks to transfer designs onto fabric surfaces Factoid SIGNAGE MATERIALS | DAVID OSGAR
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