SIGN & DIGITAL UK 2024 Having been a staple in the UK sign and print calendar for the past 35 years, Sign and Digital UK (SDUK) will take place in the NEC, Birmingham from February 25th to 27th, 2024. This year marks a new era for SDUK as it co-locates with Printwear & Promotion Live! following the acquisition of SDUK by P&P Live! owner Datateam Business Media in summer 2023. Linked by a joining corridor, the co-location will enable exhibitors to present their offerings in both halls, reflecting the increasing overlap between sign-making and the printwear and promotion industries. Event director of Sign & Digital UK, Tony Gardner, says: "In the ever-evolving world of visual communication, SDUK stands as a pillar, bringing together the brightest minds, cutting-edge technologies, and industry enthusiasts under one roof. “It's not just an exhibition; it's a celebration of creativity, innovation, and the limitless possibilities that lie ahead in the dynamic world of signage, large-format print, and digital screen technology. As SDUK unfolds, we invite visitors to immerse themselves in a world where ideas take shape, connections come to life, and the future of the industry is unveiled." Back for the Future Among the returning exhibitors, Epson UK, a key player in the visual industry, highlights the importance of experiencing print results first-hand. Phil McMullin, head of sales for Commercial & Industrial at Epson UK, says: "We are in a visual industry, so it’s vitally important that graphics professionals can see print results first-hand. “You really can't get the same objective view online. You need to see it, touch it, smell it! Historically SDUK has always provided us with a great sales pipeline for the year, and we very much hope and expect a repeat from this event." According to McMullin, the merger of SDUK and Printwear & Promotion Live! is beneficial due to Epson focusing on both signage and textiles. He says: "Visitors can explore Epson's sign and graphics solutions at SDUK and the latest textile printing innovations at Xpres in P&P Live! “Detailed announcements about new products are under wraps, but rest assured there will be exciting print solutions at both shows, with a focus on stimulating ideas for incremental and profitable revenue streams. We encourage attendees to visit both halls for a comprehensive experience, promising plenty of new and innovative displays." Graham Jones, head of marketing for Grafytip echoes these thoughts and says the co-location of the event is expected to be advantageous, providing a “synergistic platform where diverse segments of the industry converge”. Having exhibited for the first time at Printwear & Promotion Live!, Inktec Europe says it made “perfect sense” to exhibit due to launching its complete DTF Solutions range. This year, Joey Kim, managing director of Inktec Europe says the company is “delighted” to be back at SDUK this year with the co-location expected to attract a mix of print service providers that work across a wider cross-section of the industry. Also returning for 2024 is Industrial Tooling Corporation (ITC) which will present its complete range of cutting tools and knife blades for all material types. Promising an “eye-catching orange stand that you cannot afford to pass by”, the UK manufacturer will demonstrate a range of standard and special routing tools, knife tools, and extensive re-grinding services. ITC’s expert technical engineers will be on-hand to offer visitors advice on the best products and applications. Sally Hunt of ITC, comments: “The opportunity to discuss production challenges with the industry is more pertinent now than ever before, as material technology and cutting applications continually evolve. As well as its routing tools and knife blade re-grinding service, visitors can talk to ITC about its complete line of special tools and its range of complementary products such as sacrificial sheets, lubricants, anti-slip matting, router collets, CNC tool holders, and more. A Trio of Machine Debuts Hybrid Services, the exclusive UK and Ireland distributor for Mimaki Europe will be debuting three new Mimaki products at SDUK. These models will be a pair of LED UV printers and Mimaki’s latest and fastest direct-to-film model. First in the lineup is the latest addition to the 330 Series, the UCJV330-160 LED UV integrated printer/ cutter. This 1.6m production machine is able to print high quality images on traditional signage and graphics materials as well as translucent, transparent, and coloured substrates. Due to being a printer/cutter, the machine is also equipped with features for contour cutting for stickers, decals, and labels. Second in the new lineup is the Unveiling the Future of Signage and Print Technology 46 Issue 251 - February / March 2024 www.signlink.co.uk
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