This year’s show, held 29 April-1 May at Birmingham’s NEC, will see the return of brands not present in 2013, including Fujifilm, Graphtec and Inktec/Jetrix. Also confirmed are HP, Epson, Canon, Roland DG, Hybrid Services/Mimaki, Colourgen and Perfect Colours.

Confirmed exhibitor numbers are currently at 120. While last year’s show attracted 137 exhibitors, up to 170 are expected to have signed up by the end of April.

Event director Rudi Blackett put this growth down to a more positive outlook for the UK economy, meaning more printers are looking to invest in new kit this year. He confirmed that there would be “quite a few significant wide-format printing kit launches this year from the big names,” with details to follow soon.

He added: “It’s more likely this year that visitors will be looking to invest again in capital equipment. There’s probably quite a number that have held back from that in recent years and now they really do need to replace equipment. We’re known as a buying show. People wait for the show to benefit from show offers.”

The fact that Sign & Digital UK wasn’t this year competing with a UK Fespa for exhibitors was also significant, said Blackett.

The theme of this year’s show will build on last year’s of ‘new business’, revealed Blackett. “We’re carrying this through more to specific new revenue streams you can look at. So rather than just saying ‘look for new business opportunities while at the show, with wide format for instance you might be looking at going specifically into textiles or into wall coverings.”

“We may be pushing more into the learning and advice side of things,” he added, with further details of show features available over the coming months.

Visit www.signuk.com to pre-register for free entry.