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CONTENTS Issue: 267 October | November 2026 ISSN 2976 - 9213 News Industry 06 Business 08 Environment 10 People 11 Applications 12 Digital 16 Kit & Consumables 17 Specials The Sign Show 2026 Review 20 Under the Hood: Platinum Signature Flatbed 24 Industry Tips: Colin Sinclair McDermott 27 Supplier Spotlight: Venture Banners 30 Fresh Perspectives: Kaden Borrett 34 Features Hardware: Direct-to-Object Printers 37 Solutions: Signage Materials 42 Trending: POS Displays 47 Specialist: Etching and Engraving 52 Business: Being a Sustainable Business 56 IN THIS ISSUE 37 42 34 20 52 30 17 11 3 www.signlink.co.uk Issue 267 - October | November 2026
4 email: editor@signlink.co.uk Issue 267 - October | November SignLink SignLinkMagazine printmonthly_signlink ISSUE 267 October | November 2026 Publisher Koru Media Production ATG Media Contributors Michael Walker, Colin Sinclair McDermott, Kaden Borrett 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 SignLink SignLinkMagazine printmonthly_signlink MEET THE TEAM VIDEO COVERAGE Scan the QR code to watch our video coverage over on our SignLink YouTube channel Hello and welcome to SignLink October/ November! Well, here we are again following another successful Sign Show at the NEC in Birmingham. Following on from the inaugural show last year, which like this year, was co-located with The Print Show, The Sign Show demonstrated the life and energy present in the industry. Throughout the event myself and my colleagues were there interviewing visitors, exhibitors, and those involved with the show to find out what the big talking points, releases, and takeaways were from the show. Judging by my conversations there was plenty for people to come away with (especially thanks to the big bags being handed out for people to pop their samples in). If you didn’t manage to attend or see everything there was to see, I encourage you to head over to our SignLink YouTube channel to see many of our full and short videos which capture the energy and variety of this year’s show. You can also read Rob Fletcher’s breakdown of the exhibition in this edition on pages 20 to 22. As we wind down towards the end of the year this edition is also the perfect time to take a look at some of the latest equipment releases in the industry which you may not of had chance to see at the likes of FESPA or The Sign Show. On pages 24 to 25 Michael Walker walks us through Platinum Technologies’ latest Signature Flatbed printer which is now being offered by Soyang Europe following its deal with LIYU to become its official distributor in the UK. On pages 37 to 40 Rob also takes a look at some of the latest solutions available for direct-to-object (DTO) printing, which continues to be a lucrative sales channel. We also get insight into the latest innovations in etching and engraving which can be experienced on pages 52 to 54. This edition also comes with a whole host of useful advice and information from both newcomers and stalwarts of the industry. Colin Sinclair McDermott gives his advice for undertaking a “now, next, and later” marketing plan (pages 27 and 28), while Kaden Borrett shares his experiences when marketing a print and signage business online in this issue’s Fresh Perspectives (pages 34 and 35). For now, I shall leave you digest this edition as well as enjoy the work and festivities sure to come with Autumn events like Halloween, Bonfire Night, and Black Friday. See you next time! EDITOR S NOTE David interviewed Steve Lister [R] about sustainability efforts in the signage industry. Check out his thoughts in our Signage Materials feature on page 42 Want to be featured in our next issue? Email: editor@signlink.co.uk SPOTTED AT THE SIGN SHOW 2026! Watch Online Printed on Sappi Magno Satin from EBB Paper CBP034244 Accounts Jan Thomas jan@linkpublishing.co.uk Features writer Rob Fletcher rob@linkpublishing.co.uk Accounts Kathryn Quinn k.quinn@linkpublishing.co.uk Commissioning editor Jonathan Pert jonathan@linkpublishing.co.uk Sales executive Billy Milne billy@linkpublishing.co.uk
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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
7 www.signlink.co.uk Issue 267 - October | November 2026 INDUSTRY | NEWS New OOH agency aims to expose inflated billboard pricing An independent out-of-home (OOH) advertising agency has been making waves in the UK industry, with a now viral campaign which aims to promote price transparency. Launched in 2026, Loud! OOH plans and buys billboards and digital out-of-home (DOOH) advertising across the UK on a zero markup basis. The company prints all of its own price lists publicly, with the goal of promoting more transparency in the industry. In early July, Loud! OOH booked two adjacent 48-sheet billboards on York Street in Leeds city centre and printed its own price list on them as part of a disruptive advertising campaign. The first board read: “I was quoted £650 for this billboard.” An arrow pointed right to a second billboard, which described itself as being half the price through Loud! OOH, despite being the same size and directly adjacent. The campaign received notable coverage in news outlets, with publications including AP News, Prolific North, and Ads of the World writing up stories and Loud! OOH founder, Jamie Roberts, subsequently publishing an article with The Drum covering pricing secrecy in the industry. In his Drum article, Roberts said: “I know why the rates stay hidden because I’ve spent the last six years on the inside. Opacity is the margin. I’ve watched the same panel quoted at two different prices, and the only variable was who was asking. “Internally, it gets called commercial flexibility. What it actually means is that the buyer with an agency and a benchmarking tool pays one price, and the plumber in Leeds pays another – if the plumber even gets as far as asking.” Roberts argues that a shift towards more transparent OOH pricing with fewer overheads can positively impact the UK signage and wideformat sectors. He comments: “Every billboard campaign is a print job before it is a media booking. If the media cost halves, far more small businesses say yes, and somebody still has to print and post the thing. The bottleneck for SMEs was never the print bill. It was the quote they got for the space.” He also argues that by openly publishing its price list rather than hiding it behind a contact form, companies will be prioritised in AI searches, which are increasingly becoming the main way that potential clients conduct research. The agency has rebuilt its pricing and insight pages so that AI tools can lift exact figures straight from their webpages. According to the company, this resulted in a 266% rise in enquiries from people who found Loud! OOH through AI tools between May and July. A viral billboard campaign in Leeds compared Loud! OOH’s transparent £325 rate against a competitor’s £650 quote By Jonathan Pert Programmatic DOOH advertising reached £1bn in 2025 The World Out of Home Organization (WOO) has published its inaugural Global pDOOH Expenditure Study 2026, revealing that global programmatic digital out-of-home (pDOOH) advertising reached $1.339bn (£0.99bn) in 2025. According to the study, the market for automated and dynamic out-of-home (OOH) advertising now represents 7.0% of total global digital out-of-home (DOOH) advertising spend. The study, independently aggregated by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), covers more than forty markets across the Americas, EMEA, and Asia-Pacific, aiming to represent the first credible, supply-side measure of pDOOH revenue at global scale. Charles Parry-Okeden, vice president and global lead, Audience Measurement & Data, for WOO, says: “This study marks a genuine first for our industry – a credible, independently aggregated baseline for programmatic DOOH at global scale. “The headline figure of $1.339bn matters, but the structural insights are equally compelling: the stark divergence between volume and penetration, the scale of the untapped opportunity in Eastern Asia, and the dominance of PMP as the transaction model of choice. For the first time, the global pDOOH market has a benchmark it can build from.” Regional findings suggested that the US remains the world’s largest pDOOH market by volume, but with pDOOH still accounting for only 15.9% of total DOOH advertising spend. By comparison, Germany leads globally on a penetration rate at 31.8%, nearly double the US rate. Western Europe as a whole holds a 21.3% penetration rate, but still represents less advertising spend by volume in comparison to the US market. Belgium and France also rank in the top five by programmatic penetration with 25.5% and 16.7% respectively, which WOO says demonstrates “that absolute market scale and programmatic adoption do not necessarily advance in lockstep.” Eastern Asia, comprising of Japan, South Korea, and Mainland China, holds a $7.3bn (£5.4bn) DOOH advertising base, but with just 0.6% of pDOOH penetration. WOO highlights this as representing “the single largest structural growth opportunity in global programmatic out-of-home (OOH).” Twelve supply-side platforms participated in the study, each one submitting confidential, marketlevel revenue data directly to PwC for independent aggregation. The full report can be accessed on the World Out of Home website. Tom Goddard, president of WOO adds: “WOO exists to advance the OOH industry globally – and that requires credible data. The level of SSP participation in this inaugural study, with twelve platforms submitting confidential revenue data directly to PwC, is a testament to the industry’s commitment to transparency.” By Jonathan Pert The new study represents the first independently verified, supply-side measure of global pDOOH revenue
8 email: editor@signlink.co.uk Issue 267 - October | November SignLink SignLinkMagazine printmonthly_signlink BUSINESS | NEWS Pyramid Display invests in new fleet of delivery vehicles UK-based sign and display materials supplier, Pyramid Display, has strengthened its national logistics operation with the addition of five new MAN delivery vehicles to its UK fleet. The investment forms part of Pyramid’s ongoing commitment to providing customers with a reliable, responsive, and efficient delivery service. The additional vehicles will support the movement of rigid sheets and roll media across Pyramid’s national distribution network. Finished in Pyramid’s signature blue fleet livery, the new vehicles will operate across the UK, supporting deliveries from the company’s five branches and providing additional capacity as Pyramid continues to grow its customer base and product offering. Commenting on the investment, Dominic Gallagher, group transport manager, says: “Logistics is a vital part of the service we provide and continued investment in our fleet helps us maintain the standards our customers expect. “These five new vehicles give us greater capacity and resilience across the network, while also putting the Pyramid brand in front of customers across the country every day.” Pyramid Display Materials is a wholesale distributor of signmaking supplies, wide-format printing media, and industrial substrates. Founded in 2002, the company was acquired by the global distributor Grimco in 2021. The company is a prominent stockist for brands including Avery Dennison and Mactac. Its range includes flat sheet materials including extruded acrylic sheets, Alupanel aluminium composites, foam PVC, and Correx corrugated plastic. It also offers eco-friendly papers and display boards from Dispa and Swedboard, alongside structural options like the XL Impact recyclable board. Pyramid Display are also a distributor of hardware solutions including HP’s Latex wide-format digital printers and ink systems. Earlier this year, Pyramid Display announced the appointment of Bev Petre to its UK team, who was hired to play a key part in supporting the company’s continued expansion in the Midlands. Petre arrived to the role with extensive experience in the sign, graphics, and display sectors, with the appointment forming part of Pyramid’s wider expansion plans both nationally and internationally. The new MAN vehicles will operate across the company’s five UK branches Canon United campaign unites company's full product portfolio Hardware and solutions provider, Canon UK & Ireland, has announced a new campaign called Canon United which aims to bring together Canon’s full portfolio of solutions, including hardware, software, services, media, and consumables. The campaign, which carries a football theme with the use of “united” and a team emblem, was launched at Canon UK and Ireland’s first Leadership Summit. The summit was put together so senior business leaders could come together to discuss how organisations can improve performance and resilience in lieu of the world’s rapid changes in technology. The summit explored themes like the future of work, cybersecurity, and AI adoption with experts like Richard Watson, Sarah Armstrong-Smith, Dr Cath Bishop, and Quentyn Taylor sharing advice and insights from various sectors of work and industry. With a wide array of solutions, Canon has continued to update and push all parts of its portfolio over the past few years, while other manufacturers have bowed out of certain markets. This latest campaign suggests the company wishes to simplify its broad offering and bring more of its departments together. “Built around the four principles of a united team, being match day ready, ongoing support, and a shared commitment, the football analogy reflects a simple message: that every part of a successful team has a distinct role, but the strongest performance comes when they work together,” says Canon. The company also says the campaign shows how connecting print, document workflow, and information management solutions can help organisations to automate processes and strengthen security and efficiency. The campaign looks to bring together Canon’s full end-to-end portfolio from “image capture to image output”. Talking about the campaign, Khalid Aziz, marketing and commercial planning director at Canon UK & Ireland, says: “Why football? Because the best teams succeed when the individuals within it come together as one. Everyone knows the role they need to play, but they also understand how they can support and work alongside each other to create a stronger, more robust team. “We’ve built a starting line-up that works together so customers can spend less time managing their kit and more time focusing on winning. Canon United is about giving our customers and our partners the team around them to keep moving forward.” Canon’s new campaign is built around four principles of being a united team By Jonathan Pert By David Osgar
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10 email: editor@signlink.co.uk Issue 267 - October | November SignLink SignLinkMagazine printmonthly_signlink ENVIRONMENT | NEWS FESPA UK reveals results of latest waste management schemes FESPA UK, an association for the UK’s print, signage, and graphics community, has revealed the latest results of its waste management and accreditation schemes, with the organisation vowing to further increase its efforts to safely recycle waste within the sector. FESPA UK has undertaken a range of steps to help safely process hard-to-recycle materials including silicone backing papers, self-adhesive PVC, and composite boards. After four years of developing its waste accreditation scheme, in March FESPA UK became a licensed waste carrier, which it positions as an important step forward in strengthening the support it provides to its accredited members. This step allows FESPA UK to have greater control over the waste management process, with the goal of providing a more responsive, connected, and streamlined waste processing service. Earlier this year, waste management service Reconomy made the decision to withdraw its services from the specialised graphics and wide-format print sector. Rather than seeing this as a setback, FESPA UK saw this as an opportunity to further evolve its accreditation scheme and build new partnerships. One of these new partnerships now offers accredited members a wide range of waste services including general waste, hazardous waste, dry mixed recycling, and other waste streams. The partner also provides businesses with access to an online portal to track and manage their waste, alongside a dedicated support team for FESPA UK accredited members. FESPA UK has also begun to take a more direct role in managing graphics waste, including working more closely with transport companies and recyclers, with the aim of securing the best pricing and service for its members. The association has reportedly developed or strengthened relationships with twelve separate recyclers and transport companies in recent months. As part of the scheme, FESPA UK has now organised 50 collection services for accredited businesses. It also offers a recycling scheme for a growing list of materials including selfadhesive vinyl face materials, silicone backing paper, lamination rolls, Foamboard, Correx, Akyboard, polyester banner and polyester fabrics, ACM, and acrylic. This support includes multiple weekly and fortnightly wheelie bin collections for backing papers for its members. Its support now also extends to the labels and foil sectors through the additional services it can now offer. Speaking about its waste management efforts, FESPA UK director, Jon Hutton, says: “The visual display, signage, and largeformat sectors of the print industry are particularly under the sustainability spotlight from brands, so accountable and responsible waste management has become non-negotiable. “Noticeably, the Accreditation is now being recognised up and down the supply chain as the industry-standard signpost to verify a business’s commitment to responsible waste management.” FESPA UK managing director, Suzi Ward, says: “From the moment I first envisioned this project and then had the good fortune to meet Jon, whose knowledge, passion, and expertise helped turn that vision into reality, it has always been about providing our members with something that genuinely makes a difference to their businesses and to the wider industry. “It was never about recognition or financial gain. It was about creating an opportunity for members to gain a competitive advantage while doing the right thing for the environment and the future of our sector. I couldn’t be prouder of how the accreditation has grown, evolved, and expanded its reach over the years. What started as an idea has become something that is delivering real value across the industry.” FESPA UK has vowed to take further steps to shape the programme around the needs of its accredited members, expanding the support and services it offers and helping as many businesses as possible improve the way they manage their waste. Ward adds: “The foundation has been built; now it’s time to build on that success and deliver even greater value to the community we serve.” By Jonathan Pert FESPA UK offers an industry-recognised recycling scheme for a growing list of hard-to-recycle materials
Chairman and founder of Contra Vision steps down Roland Hill, the inventor of oneway vision window graphics and founder of Contra Vision, has stepped down as the company’s chairman, transitioning to the new role of non-executive director. Hill founded Contra Vision in 1985 following an extensive career as a structural and civil engineer. As part of his founding activity, he created the world’s first commercially viable one-way vision graphics technology. As a keen amateur squash player, Hill was driven to make the sport more accessible to a larger viewing audience, combating the issue that a squash court is traditionally enclosed by opaque walls. Commenting on his time at Contra Vision, Hill says: “It has been an honour to lead Contra Vision and see the business grow from an idea into a global brand. I am proud that my legacy will remain as Contra Vision, and I am excited to see the next stage of the company’s development.” As part of the transition, Roland Hill’s son, Roger Hill, will now assume the role of chairman alongside his existing position as chief executive officer. Roger Hill says: “Roland did not simply invent a product, he created an entire global industry. On behalf of everyone at Contra Vision, I would like to formally thank Roland for his vision, leadership, and lifelong commitment to innovation. His work has not only shaped Contra Vision into a globally recognised brand but has also defined and influenced the industry as we know it today.” POLI-TAPE hires new sales team POLI-TAPE, a German manufacturer of digital printing media, sign-making vinyls, and application tapes, has announced a full restructure of its sales organisation for textile transfer films. The new sales team for POLITAPE’s textile transfer films division includes Francesca Zonin, who will take over as head of sales. Zonin arrives to the role with more than 20 years of experience in the textile films industry. Zonin is joined by sales manager, Holger Beck, who comes to his new role with 29 years of experience in print and transfer films, and senior sales manager, Michael Hildebrandt, who recently celebrated his 25th anniversary at POLI-TAPE. All three have reportedly known each other for around 15 years from trade fairs and industry events but are working together in the same company for the first time. By Jonathan Pert By Jonathan Pert [L to R] Michael Hildebrandt, Francesca Zonin, and Holger Beck, POLI-TAPE’s new sales team for textile transfer films 11 www.signlink.co.uk Issue 267 - October | November 2026 PEOPLE | NEWS Soyang Europe promotes Damien Martin Soyang Europe has promoted Damien Martin to the position of wide-format manager for the UK and Ireland. In his new role, he assumes responsibility for the sales of Soyang’s 1.6m-wide printing equipment portfolio including Mimaki printers and cutters, Graphtec cutting plotters, and the VeloBlade range of die-cutting systems from Vivid Laminating Technologies. A key part of Martin’s role will also include overseeing machinery showcases at Soyang’s new demonstration facility in Altham, North West England. Martin takes on his new management position at Soyang having joined the company in April 2024 as sales manager. Speaking about his promotion, Martin says: “I’m very grateful for the opportunity. The wideformat portfolio within our hardware department continues to go from strength to strength and I’m looking forward to working closely with our partners and supporting customers across a broad range of markets.” Dave Cull hired at swissQprint UK SwissQprint UK has appointed Dave Cull as its new sales manager for the South East region, with the goal of strengthening its sales team. Cull arrives to the role with more than 45 years of experience in the print industry, having started his career as a screen printer in 1981 before moving into training, technical, and sales positions. His career, which has included time working for Fujifilm and EFI, has included a range of experience in the wide-format print sector, with a key focus on identifying opportunities for growth within the UK market. Speaking about his appointment, Cull says: “The decision to join swissQprint was heavily influenced by the feedback I received from customers […] Throughout my career, I’ve seen how important dependable equipment is for businesses working to tight deadlines and swissQprint has built an impressive reputation in this area.” Cull visited swissQprint’s headquarters in Switzerland and its UK facility in Bracknell before his official appointment, noting that he was impressed by both the engineering behind the technology and the expertise of the team supporting customers. By Jonathan Pert [Pictured] Damien Martin, newlyappointed UK & Ireland wide-format manager for Soyang Europe Dave Cull [pictured] has more than 45 years of experience in the print and signage industries By Jonathan Pert Roland Hill [pictured] will now transition to the role of non-executive director at Contra Vision
Signs Express dresses England World Cup Fanatics Shop Materials manufacturer, Drytac, has revealed details of the England World Cup Fanatics Shop Experience which utilised its materials at London’s iconic Carnaby Street earlier this year. The installation was completed by UK-based sign and graphics specialist, Signs Express, which selected a range of Drytac printable media and laminates to deliver a fast-turnaround retail installation for football fans during the early stages of this year’s World Cup. The company has worked with Fanatics for the past 12 months, producing a series of temporary retail pop-up shops for major sporting and entertainment events including the Oasis reunion tour, the NFL London Games, and Target Darts. With many of these projects requiring installation within as little as 48 hours’ notice, having reliable materials readily available was critical. Previously, Signs Express relied on a standard removable vinyl for these projects. However, after attending a Drytac product demonstration with Mark de Lancey, head of sales for UK and Ireland at Drytac, the company began using its SpotOn vinyl, which provided significant improvements in installation and removal time. For the Carnaby Street installation, the client wanted the primary window graphics to be installed internally using Drytac’s ViziPrint Impress Clear, an optically clear PET film designed to deliver high graphic clarity while maintaining a premium glass appearance. However, the windows also needed to remain concealed until the official store launch. To achieve this, Signs Express applied SpotOn White M50 to the exterior of the windows, with its dot-pattern adhesive graphic allowing for easier installation and complete visual coverage before it was peeled away quickly and cleanly for the official unveiling. ReTac Smooth 150 was selected for the storefront branding. Its thicker 150µ (6mm) face film made installation easier than traditional thinner films, particularly valuable when working against tight deadlines, while ReTac’s permanently peelable adhesive allowed the graphics to be removed cleanly without damaging the surface underneath. Elsewhere throughout the installation, Polar Choice was paired with Interlam Pro Emerytex for the floor graphics and locker wraps, offering high durability and fire performance for hightraffic retail environments. All graphics were produced on a HP Latex 830W printer, with its fast-curing technology helping the team to maintain print quality while meeting the demanding production schedules. Following the success of the Carnaby Street installation, Signs Express went on to produce a further 15 pop-up retail stores in just two months, using a wide range of Drytac products. Roland DG reveals details of elite motorsport partnership Roland DG has revealed details of its partnership with Belgian motorsport graphics specialist, Grafical Racing Design, with the vehicle graphics company utilising an updated TrueVis AG-640 wide-format printer and cutter to produce a range of professional racing liveries. Grafical founder, Jarno Provost, has utilised Roland DG equipment to produce work for racing categories including MotoGP Moto3 and World Supersport, as well as an expanding portfolio of professional teams. Provost recently upgraded his Roland DG TrueVis AP-640 wide-format latex printer with the new TrueVis AG-640 now acting as the centrepiece of his production operations. Using the TrueVis AG-640, Provost was able to significantly shorten production times by allowing latex prints to be laminated and installed directly after printing, eliminating the waiting period required with traditional eco-solvent technology. Working in racing environments means that Grafical Racing Design has to respond to car and bike crashes, parts changes, and updates to sponsors, with entire auto bodies often needing to be replaced days before a race. Since adding the AG-640, Grafical has secured two new rally sport customers, with the clients citing the company’s ability to deliver full vehicle wraps within tight timeframes as a key for their choice. Provost also cites the AG-640’s colour accuracy as an important component during print production, especially when working with global car manufacturers that require brand accuracy across vehicle decals, wrap, and sponsorship graphics. The AG-640 offers dedicated red, orange, and white inks, with the aim of opening up new print capabilities. With an expanded ink range, Grafical can now print onto transparent materials while achieving more vibrant colour reproduction across vehicle graphics, labels, and decals. The improved scratch resistance coverings that the AG-640 offers reportedly contributed to more streamlined workflows and lowered costs for the company, reducing the need for protective overcoats or secondary lamination. Provost was part of the test group which helped Roland develop the AG platform. Since then, Provost has worked closely with Roland DG to refine the machine based on the needs of real-world motorsport production. Grafical attributes the partnership with Roland as a key factor in building its presence across professional motorsport, including appearances on winning bikes in the World Supersport Championship and the MotoGP Moto3 category. Signs Express selected Drytac ViziPrint Impress Clear and ReTac Smooth 150 for the window and storefront graphics By Jonathan Pert 12 email: editor@signlink.co.uk Issue 267 - October | November SignLink SignLinkMagazine printmonthly_signlink APPLICATIONS | NEWS Grafical has secured two new rally sport customers since installing the Roland AG-640 By Jonathan Pert
13 www.signlink.co.uk Issue 267 - October | November 2026 APPLICATIONS | NEWS Leach completes multiyear project in Oman West Yorkshire-based wideformat print specialist, Leach, has completed a four-year international project supporting the development of the $175m (£132m) Oman Botanic Garden. The Oman Botanic Garden is an environmental project in Al Khoudh, roughly 35km west of Oman’s capital city of Muscat. It is designed to be the largest botanical garden in the Arabian Peninsula, with the conservation and architectural project developed by global design firms, Grimshaw Architects and Arup. The attraction is billed as one of the world’s largest botanic garden projects covering 420 hectares, designed to showcase Oman’s biodiversity through a series of natural habitats, educational spaces, and visitor experiences. The garden’s collection includes approximately 1,200 species of plants displayed in various habitats such as deserts and monsoon cloud forests. Leach was appointed to deliver the artwork, print, and installation of over 1000 pieces of bespoke wide-format solutions across the Garden’s visitor spaces, working with project stakeholders in Oman throughout the development. A key element of the project was creating a visual identity that could be applied consistently across English and Arabic, working closely alongside typesetting and typeface designers, Monotype, to create a bespoke typeface as well as with illustrator, Marcella Wylie, to commission the botanical illustrations. Leach subsequently produced and installed environmental graphics across the garden’s four principal areas: the Dhofar Mountains Biome, Hajar Mountains Biome, Deserts Pavilion, and Visitor Centre, using specialist materials to accommodate temperatures that exceed 40C. The project included approximately 100 ECO Vault external interpretation panels, 188 stoved aluminium plant identification labels, 750 door signs, and 28 custom wallpaper installations covering approximately 200sq m. Leach also managed quality control and international logistics, including the photography of items prior to shipment and multiple visits to Oman to support artwork reviews and phased installation. By Jonathan Pert P1 Wraps completes sixvehicle wrap project West Sussex vehicle branding specialist, P1 Wraps, has completed a six-vehicle full-wrap project for King’s College London, using non-PVC 3M Envision graphics selected to complement the environmental objectives of the university’s electric van fleet. The project, completed during June 2026, was brought to P1 Wraps by fleet management company, Wessex Fleet, which was supplying five new electric Ford Transit Customs and a larger electric Ford Transit to King’s College London. King’s College requested that the vehicle graphics specification reflected the same sustainable goals as the choice to operate an electric fleet. P1 Wraps recommended 3M Envision Print Wrap Film LX480mC together with 3M Envision Gloss Wrap Overlaminate 8548G – a complete non-PVC print-film and overlaminate system. The original livery was designed by graphic design agency, Day 1 Communications, with additional artwork supplied to P1 Wraps by King’s College London. P1 Wraps then adapted the supplied creative for production across the five Transit Customs and translated the same visual identity onto the larger Ford Transit. By Jonathan Pert Ideal Heating collaborates with FASTSIGNS Hull FASTSIGNS Hull has completed a major site-wide visual overhaul for heating manufacturer, Ideal Heating, at its flagship production facility in East Yorkshire. The project saw signage specialists FASTSIGNS complete a transformation of Ideal Heating’s factory floor, designed around supporting the site’s manufacturing goals. The installation aimed to incorporate a ‘5S signage’ manufacturing methodology: sort, set in order, shine, standardise, and sustain. The overhaul is designed to ensure that every tool has a designated place and every process and hazard is clearly marked. FASTSIGNS adopted this focus on workplace organisation, standardisation, and safety by designing and manufacturing custom tool shadow boards, colourcoded floor markings, safety display boards, and clear site navigation solutions. By turning safety protocols and daily operational targets into clear visual cues, the new solutions are designed to help streamline workflows, improve navigation, and reduce downtime, as well as minimise safety incidents and maintain standard operating procedures. The liveries for all six vehicles were printed in-house using HP Latex machines By Jonathan Pert The installation incorporated a ‘5S signage’ methodology The project included 100 external panels, 188 custom labels, 750 door signs, and 28 custom wallpaper installations
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Route Media launches four new roadside screens Out-of-home (OOH) advertising specialist, Route Media, has unveiled four premium digital roadside screens at two of Cardiff’s busiest gateways. Two wide-format digital out-ofhome (DOOH) screens have been installed at Culverhouse Cross, with another two at Queensgate Roundabout in Cardiff Bay. Positioned on the busy A4232 Cardiff Link Road, they capture traffic travelling between Cardiff city centre, Cardiff Bay, the M4, and the Vale of Glamorgan. Route Media has calculated that over 100,000 vehicles pass by the screens each day, which it says creates “one of South Wales’ most prominent roadside advertising opportunities”. Route Media’s investment in Cardiff builds on its presence across the city’s transport network, including digital advertising at Cardiff Bus Interchange and across the wider Transport for Wales estate. The expansion also continues a period of rapid growth for Route Media, whose network now spans more than 1,000 digital and static roadside, rail, and retail advertising locations across Wales and Northern Ireland. By Jonathan Pert 16 email: editor@signlink.co.uk Issue 267 - October | November SignLink SignLinkMagazine printmonthly_signlink DIGITAL | NEWS New campaign implements weather-activated messaging TikTok, in partnership with programmatic digital outof-home (DOOH) platform Displayce, has activated a new media campaign for the Aveeno skincare brand, making it the first skincare and beauty brand in the UK to utilise TikTok’s ‘Out of Phone’ format. The campaign is designed to bring Aveeno’s social-first content beyond the smartphone screen and into high-impact realworld environments. At the heart of the campaign is skincare creator Gemma Adby, whose content has been adapted from TikTok and showcased across a range of DOOH placements. Designed to raise awareness of Aveeno Face Moisturiser SPF 50 and the importance of daily sun protection whatever the weather, the campaign used real-time weather conditions to tailor its message throughout the day. In sunny weather, the campaign reminds consumers to protect their skin from direct sun exposure. On cloudy or overcast days, it highlights the importance of wearing SPF even when UV rays are less visible. This allows Aveeno to deliver timely messages through the campaign, while extending its creator-led content into everyday public environments. Activated programmatically through Displayce across premium screens from JCDecaux UK, Outernet, Bauer Media Outdoor, and Global in London, Manchester, and Bristol, the campaign reached consumers in shopping areas, transport hubs, and along commuter routes. It also marks the first TikTok Out of Phone activation to incorporate realtime weather triggers globally. Dan Page, global head of media and licensing partnerships at TikTok, says: “Out of Phone brings trusted creator-led content off platform and into the real world. Beauty and skincare have always been synonymous with TikTok, so it’s exciting to see our first UK Out of Phone campaign from the category, and even more exciting to see a global first with weather-triggered creative in Out of Phone.” The new campaign follows the recent partnership announced by TikTok and Displayce to expand TikTok’s Out of Phone offering across Europe. The Aveeno campaign reportedly generated over four million impressions, with a brand lift study from Happydemics conducted among 500 respondents recording a very strong brand attribution score that was four percentage points above benchmark, as well as a 24-point uplift in brand image. By Jonathan Pert PPDS releases Philips United LED 3000 Series PPDS, a trading name of TP Vision Europe and MMD-Monitors & Displays, has announced the availability of the Philips United LED 3000 Series, which it says uses energy conscious dvLED panels to make LED technology more accessible to a wider range of businesses. The release comes off the back of PPDS’ recent Philips Signage 2000 Series, which is part of the company’s commitment to providing more investment friendly professional displays. The series is designed for a variety of environments and lighting conditions with four pixel pitch options: 0.9, 1.2, 1.5, and 1.8pp, with the first three options providing 600 nits brightness and 3840Hz refresh rates. The LED series says it has vibrant colours, deep blacks, and uniform brightness, which is suited to brand showcases, advertising locations, as well as automotive, fashion, and retail environments. By Jonathan Pert The campaign was launched on screens across London, Manchester, and Bristol Screens have been installed at Culverhouse Cross and Queensgate Roundabout in Cardiff The Philips Unite LED 3000 Series is available for pre-order, with shipments having already commenced
17 www.signlink.co.uk Issue 267 - October | November 2026 KIT & CONSUMABLES | NEWS Roland DG announces three new kit releases Print press manufacturer, Roland DG, has announced three new kit releases in quick succession, with the launch of the TrueVis AG-640 coming shortly after the announcement of both the new VersaObject IO-300 and VersaObject RC-300 series. All of the newly released presses are available via authorised Roland DG partners worldwide, with the current authorised resellers in the UK including printMAX and Papergraphics. The TrueVis AG-640 is Roland’s next-generation 64” latex printer and cutter developed to expand what is possible with latex printing. The AG-640 is the world’s first latex printer with integrated cutting functionality, enabling users to contour, cut, and print with a single device. The press can handle a variety of work ranging from wraps, wallcoverings, banners, posters, and decals, with its print-and-cut capabilities designed to help simplify production. The press offers an expanded colour set with dense white ink capabilities using Roland DG’s newly developed TA-2 water-based latex inks and upgraded piezo printheads. Ryugo Nimura, executive officer (Global Sales and Marketing division) at Roland DG, says: “With the TrueVis AG-640, we are introducing a new level of performance and productivity to latex printing. “By combining efficient running costs with outstanding image quality, expanded colour capabilities, and the convenience of integrated print-and-cut, the AG-640 allows our customers to differentiate their offerings, increase their profits, and grow their businesses with confidence.” Meanwhile, the VersaObject IO-300 and RC-300 series are two new industrial UV printing solutions designed to help businesses meet growing demand for high-mix, short-run manufacturing and product decoration. The launches aim to strengthen Roland DG’s industrial direct-to-object (DTO) printing portfolio, providing manufacturers, decorators, print service providers (PSPs), and packaging producers with new ways to deliver customised products and reduce the costs and complexities associated with traditional production methods. The two solutions can support a broad range of DTO printing applications: the IO-300 delivers UV flatbed print for industrial parts, product decoration, and custom goods across rigid and flexible substrates, while the RC-300 Series is designed for direct cylindrical printing onto bottles, tumblers, drinkware, packaging, promotional products, and other shaped objects. Kevin Shigenoya, executive officer (New Business Office) at Roland DG, says: “Businesses today need production solutions that can adapt quickly to changing customer demands without compromising quality or profitability “While the IO-300 and RC-300 Series are designed for different production environments and applications, both help customers respond more quickly to demand for shorter runs, greater customisation, and faster turnaround times.” Summa announces expansion to F Series Vantage platform Summa has announced the expansion of its F Series Vantage platform into wide-format production environments with the introduction of the F1832, F3220, and F3232 flatbed cutters. The F1832 model offers longformat cutting in a single feed, with the F3220 focusing on soft signage production with steady control. The F3232, meanwhile, is chiefly built for double-sheet production. Alongside the new wide-format models, Summa has also introduced the F1625CF, a dedicated configuration optimised for dry carbon fibre cutting. The F Series Vantage combines a range of automation features with simplified interfaces and an optimised tool library designed to minimise human error. According to Summa, these elements can offer productivity gains of more than 40% in comparison to previousgeneration flatbed cutters. By Jonathan Pert Trotec Laser announces new Speedy Black Line Trotec Laser has announced the release of Speedy Black Line, a new workflow-driven laser platform designed to connect job preparation, laser processing, and production management. The new machinery line combines laser cutting and engraving hardware with Trotec’s proprietary Ruby operating software, alongside a range of automation capabilities and workflow integration – all within in a single coordinated production environment. Available as the Speedy 480 Black Line and Speedy 360 Black Line for differing bed sizes, the solutions are designed to support users through a complete production process, from incoming order to finished product. The Speedy Black Line supports integration into connected production environments via API and Node-RED. In connected production environments, order information can be exchanged between laser production and surrounding business systems such as web shops and order-management platforms, helping to reduce repeated data entry throughout the production process. The solutions integrate Trotec’s Ruby operating software, allowing for API and Node-RED connectivity The TrueVis AG-640 is the first latex printer with integrated cutting functionality By Jonathan Pert By Jonathan Pert An optional Heavy Duty Roll Support (HDRS) unit can handle rolls weighing up to 200kg
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