Canon helps blind students experience photography Continuing its work to use elevated print to help more people experience art and photography, Canon UK & Ireland has partnered with the Royal Society for Blind Children (RSBC) to create a tactile photography exhibition that allows visually impaired students to experience images through touch. The exhibition come about following a project in late 2025 when Ellsa Iannacone, an ambassador for Canon, delivered a bespoke Canon Young People Programme workshop for seven RSBC students in Orpington. The workshop involved students creating portrait images cantered around their favourite activities, using photography as a tool to express their identity and personality. The portraits were then transformed into tactile relief prints using Canon’s elevated printing technology, and printed via the Canon Arizona 2380 XT. Bauer Media launches ‘university’ for OOH Media and advertising organisation, Bauer Media Outdoor UK, has launched a free online course titled Powerful Posters University, which is designed to help people in the early stages of their careers in advertising and media understand what makes great out-of-home (OOH) campaigns memorable and effective. Powerful Posters University, which has been created primarily for those with less than three years’ industry experience, provides practical guidance through modules covering the foundations of effective OOH advertising. Topics in the course include the fundamentals of strong poster design, the science behind how brand memories are formed, the importance of inclusive media planning, and how brands can push creative boundaries through standout special build executions. The course delivers insights from Bauer Media Outdoor experts, with introductions by Ben Hope, marketing director at Bauer Media Outdoor and Dan Dawson, global chief creative officer at the company and co-host of the Behind the Billboard podcast, for which Bauer Media Outdoor serves as the headline sponsor. Made Smarter initiative drives growth in UK signage industry Made Smarter, a government-backed initiative for England designed to help SMEs adopt advanced digital technologies, has recently provided funding and opportunities for a variety of graphics and signage companies across England. Through the initiative, SMEs in the print, graphics, and signage sectors have been able to invest in digital technologies designed to boost productivity, create new jobs, and strengthen competitiveness with support from Made Smarter. Those who have received a business assessment and digital roadmap can then pitch a project plan to access up to 50% match-funded grants, with a maximum amount of £20,000, as well as receiving specialist advice from Made Smarter’s list of expert industry voices. Among these companies is Ashleigh Signs from West Yorkshire, which recently secured a £14,500 grant towards an £80,000 investment in automation technology to create a new manufacturing cell at its Wakefield facility. The investment has reportedly improved productivity, reduced reliance on subcontractors, and strengthened the company’s ability to develop new products. In addition, York-based Andrews Signs & Engravers has invested £35,650 in a new wideformat digital printing system, supported by a £15,000 Made Smarter grant. The technology introduces automated media handling, faster print speeds, remote job scheduling, and automated colour calibration, helping to increase production capacity, improve productivity, and reduce waste. Director at Andrews Signs & Engravers, Jill Andrews, comments: “We were delighted to secure support through the Made Smarter programme, which has enabled us to invest in technology that will strengthen our manufacturing capabilities and support future growth. “As a Yorkshire manufacturer, it’s encouraging to see initiatives like Made Smarter helping businesses embrace new technology, boost productivity, and remain competitive in an increasingly digital marketplace.” Kent-based specialist fine art printing company, Art4Site, was also able to invest £40,000 in a next-generation wide-format scanner, backed by a £20,000 Made Smarter South East grant. The technology has created what the business believes is the UK’s largest flatbed fine art scanning facility, significantly reducing scanning times while improving colour accuracy and supporting a more integrated print-on-demand (POD) workflow. The project is forecast to create two new jobs and upskill five employees. Those wishing to apply for Made Smarter grants must be a small- or medium-sized manufacturing enterprise in England with fewer than 250 employees. Applicants can register online via the Made Smarter platform or their regional delivery body to receive a business assessment and digital roadmap. After assessment, applicants can pitch a project plan to access up to 50% match-funded grants for capital investment and specialist advice, with a maximum amount of £20,000. SignLink SignLinkMagazine printmonthly_signlink 6 email: editor@signlink.co.uk Issue 267 - October | November INDUSTRY | NEWS Ashleigh Signs has been able to launch a new manufacturing cell at its facility with a Made Smarter grant By Jonathan Pert The exhibition was organised by Canon UK and Ireland along with the RSBC Powerful Posters University is now open for free online enrolment. Those wishing to find out more or to enrol can visit the Powerful Posters University website By Jonathan Pert By David Osgar
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