29 Issue 256 - December 2024 / January 2025 email: editor@signlink.co.uk difference in this area and reduce energy consumption. AI is also likely to be a hot topic. AI and smart controls will enable real-time content adjustments, allowing for dynamic, personalised displays that improve audience engagement and meet specific business needs. Versatility in signage designs will also be a strong theme, as customisation becomes essential for brand differentiation. Sign-makers should consider using energy-saving LED options like Firstlite's COB LED Reels, which offer bright light with low energy use. Products like Firstlite’s DALI dimmable drivers also provide better control. These advancements create durable, customisable signs that improve visibility while being affordable and eco-friendly. As the industry shifts towards more engaging and flexible signage, these technologies will help businesses remain competitive in a changing digital world. Sign-makers are increasingly expected to do more at a higher quality within tighter deadlines, which will only happen more so in 2025. We’ve seen a consistent trend for shrinking project timelines and rising customer growth and avoiding vulnerabilities, there are also aspirational challenges around adopting advanced technologies like AI. Companies will need to explore how AI, alongside strategies like SEO, can help them capture incremental business and drive growth. The rise of digital finishing solutions such as our JWEI JCUT digital cutting tables will breakdown traditional barriers, making it easier for businesses to bring these services in-house. This technology reduces bottlenecks in production and helps companies move away from manual processes, which are still common in the UK. Continued education on digital finishing techniques will be key to maximise these benefits. The drive towards sustainability will also be a critical focus. The industry must continually strive to adopt eco-friendly practices as the pressure to demonstrate environmental responsibility intensifies. Companies will need to prove they are doing ‘the right thing’ by adopting sustainable materials and reducing their environmental footprint. We predict that the growing demand for customisable and energy-efficient signage will be the biggest shift for sign-makers in 2025. Businesses are putting pressure on sign-makers to provide more sustainable options such as LED systems that use less energy but without compromising on brightness. We also expect sign-makers to move towards customisable signage solutions to meet businesses’ needs for tailored signage. Next year, we are likely to see continued demand for signage solutions that lower operational costs while meeting high aesthetic standards. While sustainability has been a theme for some time, we think it will continue to be a big topic as sign-makers come to terms with how they can really make a expectations. At the same time, the industry is having to deal with a skills shortage. This means sign companies have to put more effort into forging stronger partnerships with third-party suppliers, fabricators, and installers to meet the demands of their customers. Every year, the call for a greater focus on sustainability increases. In 2025, it won’t just be about sign companies’ practices. The focus is shifting to ensuring more responsible supply chains, with more environmental sourcing and production being critical. We will see greater advances in ACM recycling, more PVC-free print media, and low CO2 aluminium. This will encourage more companies in the industry to be early adopters of more environmentally focused technology, particularly as sustainability becomes an increasingly decisive factor in winning larger contracts. We will also see workflow efficiency and automation being key trends in 2025. AI technology is transforming the business landscape, and sign and print will be no exception. 2025 could be a real breakthrough year for AI as it becomes a critical tool in streamlining everything from project management to artwork production, content creation, and digital marketing. It will secure its place as the ideal tool for boosting productivity and optimising workflows. Wide-format printers and sign-makers will need to focus on innovative products and systems that can help them deliver better solutions for their customers. The fastest way to grow is by offering new solutions that cater to their existing customer base. Partnering with suppliers who provide cutting-edge products and offer comprehensive sales support will be key to success. At Sign Trade Supplies we’ve seen that our customers are eager to adopt new products. Still, they achieve the best results when they leverage the sales resources and information we provide to present those innovations to their clients effectively. We will also see workflow efficiency and automation being key trends in 2025. AI technology is transforming the business landscape, and sign and print will be no exception 2025 PREDICTIONS Megan Woodcock, managing director at Firstlite Garrick Dartnell, head of marketing at Sign Trade Supplies
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