The 2016 show will be held from 19-21 April at the NEC, Birmingham, and is already being billed by organisers as “landmark” for the industry.
This year's show saw 6,807 visitors to more than 200 exhibitors to the show over 10,000m². Even more are expected next year, said Sign & Digital UK marketing manager Jane Lewis.
“For 2016 we are aiming for at least a further 10% increase in both exhibitor and visitor numbers. The 2016 show will offer the widest range of choice from suppliers for eight years.
She added: “We have seen growth in textile printing, further developments in flatbed printing, a wider range of materials available and more cutting and finishing suppliers entering the market.
“Visitors have shown more interest in the new opportunities in interior decor, wall coverings and the growth of soft signage, which has advantages in cost of transport and display applications.
“So it is an upbeat market; as the economy has improved the signage and promotional display market has seen an increase in work.
“We have seen more visitors from the creative industry, brand managers and graphic designers. We have also seen increasing attendance from the commercial print sector, inplants and a growing number of end-users.”
She said there would be new show features for 2016, “but we are not in a position to go public with these at the moment – we will be releasing details in the near future”.
Stand bookings for Sign & Digital UK 2016 are currently running at 20% ahead of the same time last year, Lewis said.
Exhibitors include Epson, HP, KIP, Perfect Colours, Inktec/Jetrix, Signmaster Systems, i-Sub, CMYUK and Atech.
Also showing will be Colourbyte, Grafityp, Radecal, Graphtec, Soyang, Your Print Specialists, Graphic Printing Technologies and PrintMax.
Next year's theme will be 'creativity, inspiration and choice', said event director Rudi Blackett, key ingredients that drive the industry forward.
“You can see all aspects of the industry, from soft signage, lighting, engraving, sign fixings and fittings, and display systems, through to the latest wide-format printing and finishing equipment," Blackett added.
Sign & Digital had also unveiled new show branding, a new look website and colour co-ordinated show logo, said Blackett.
A post-show survey of visitors to Sign & Digital UK 2015 found the visitor audience was primarily buyers and decision-makers running their own businesses or operating at senior management level.
They used the event to contrast and compare products in order to make the right buying decisions, as well as source new suppliers.
Some 88% of visitors agreed that Sign & Digital UK was a good place to meet potential new suppliers and 89% agreed the show was the place to learn about new technology and products.
Some 87% of visitors authorise, specify or influence the buying decision and 49% of visitors had not attended another event in this sector in the past two years.
