Thursday, 20 Dec 2012 13:08 GMT

2012: The year in signage and wide-format print

As the end of the year draws closer - SignLink brings you a year of fantastic applications and amazing revelations.

January

The signage industry received significant exposure on Dragons Den through 2012 and the  year began with Ian Taylor revealing to SignLink how an £80,000 investment with James Caan fell through. Recent years has seen an increasing amount of commercial printers purchasing wide-format kit, we investigated whether this was a threat to the core signage market. Following year's of selling their products through distributors Sihl announced plans to sell direct to the UK market.

February

This month saw evidence of a buoyant wide-format market backed by a busy FESPA Barcelona. At the show in Barcelona, Mimaki introduced its LX range, the first challenger to HP in the latex arena. In one of the first Olympic stories of the year. the controversial wrap for the stadium was put out to tender. With bank lending still at abysmal levels, Projects and Print slammed lending institutions as 'useless.' Ink manufacturer Sepiax explained how a failed business deal saw the firm struggle to break into the UK market. Robert Horne's parent company Paperlinx, announced a renewed focus on sign and display after posting major losses. This was to be the year where digital signage manufacturers started to look seriously at the sign market and ISE 20012 highlighted some crucial trends. The winners of Roland DG's Creative Awards spoke to SignLink and Signs Express Reading won an all-expenses paid trip to Florida in 3M's Nascar wrap competition.

March

The centrepiece of the UK sign and graphics industry, Sign and Digital celebrated its 25th anniversary this month.  The show was as ever, the place where people came to buy, and Sign7 News was there to cover all the action. Fuel price rises saw the industry grumble as they hit record levels. More Olympics with this fantastic signage as the Olympic rings set sail down the Thames.  Another great application as The Grain Sign Company made some fantastic traditional signage for Longleat Safari Park.

April

Sad news to start the month with the news that respected manufacturer Digiglass had folded. Safety was brought to the fore with the news that an inferno that engulfed a Moscow inferno was caused by a broken banner. More manufacturer news as Josero and Colourgen announced a tie-up, and better economic news as Digital Plus announced it had landed more than £1.5m worth of business. The digital signage sector saw some consolodation as Clear Channel purchased its former hardware partner Vision Media Group. April also saw an amazing story involving Prismaflex's banners and the Territorial Army.

 May

The small matter of a trade show over in Dusseldorf this month, we reported on all the key events in our news bulletins here and here. Canon's European professional print director David Preskett explained how the integration of Océ was going following its 2009 purchase. Hollywood Monster's managing director Tim Andrews explained how the firm was enjoying startlingly good first half of 2012, increasing its workforce by 40 percent and winning major new business – he was also continuing support for the Help Harry Help Others charity. Screenmedia expo seen 'core markets begin to form'. Eurostand Display beat the drum for the power of electronic media in the display sector.

June

The Queen's jubilee took place this month and Service Graphics created a massive building banner for the side of the Thames to celebrate the occasion. Service Graphics were also involved in one of two world records this month as Face Britain was recognised for this projection onto Buckingham Palace for the Jubilee. Clare Newton teamed up with AGFA Graphics and Creative Place for the world's longest photograph. In a sign of things to come later in the year, Memjet signed deals with Fujifilm and Océ for its new technology.

July

With the world seemingly enveloped by economic doom and gloom, some positive news as Trade Signs UK said they were having to add an extra shift to cope with demand. Two heart-warming stories when a sign-maker that employs disadvantaged people told SignLink that cuts to funding would not see them fold, while Venture Banners explained how a policy of only hiring the long-term unemployed was reaping dividends. Trade-only chemical etching specialists Multitechnic also celebrated its 40th birthday.
August

The Olympics this month and by far the best signage of the year with this installation by Ltd Limited for Adidas.  Fastsigns Chelmsford were also delighted to install the graphics at the US team's temporary home. As a whole though, the firm and the rest of the industry were left distinctly unimpressed by any supposed 'Olympic spike'.  Third-party inks were on the agenda this month with both MC Signs and Pace advising to stick to OEM brands. A major shift in the manufacturing sector took place with Paperlinx's Paul French jumping ship for Metamark.

September

Major kit news this month with the news that Sepiax had launched an aqueous printer set to rival HP and Mimaki in the 'environmental market'. It was launched at EcoPrint, the world's first event showcasing sustainablity in the print industry. In manufacturer news Metamark diversified its portfolio while there was a major deal for Gandy digital. In UK news, the sign community rallied around Prestige Press after its premises were gutted by fire, and Sygnet targeted the top spot in the trade-only market.
October

Victoria Pendleton launched the world's fastest wide-format printer from Memjet and Own-x at a glitzy event in London. We reported on the growing competition in the wide-format sector and also looked at a growing trend for mini-exhibitions. JCDecaux created some great ads showcasing the power of interactivity in any type of marketing material. More Dragon's Den with two entrepreneurs adding digital signage to bike wheels. The merger of two Midlands firms was described as creating 'endless possibilities', while ALD Print continued its expansion. Wincanton became the latest commercial printer to purchase a wide-format device. The SGIA expo took place in Las Vegas and the UK's very own Vivid Laminating reported a record-breaking event.

 November

Restructuring at Trotec saw its office operations moving to the North-East. Fujifilm introduced a new device to its Acuity range, while EFI strengthened its position in the MIS market with the acquisition of Technique. Faversham House also announced the continuation of a green focus at Sign and Digital UK.

 December

A dispute involving Digitl Ink and various trade associations over use of their logos was resolved. FESPA announced a sign-focused add-on to FESPA 2013, as it also arranged for a host of big names to speak at its Global Summit in January 2013. The sign community shrugged its shoulders at the Chancellor's Autumn Statement, with Fast Graphic's managing director Tony Bates saying there was 'little to convince on growth'.


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