Shortly after announcing its move back to the NEC in Birmingham for 2018, organisers of The Print Show have revealed “significant” early interest in the event, with a number of companies joining HP in signing up to exhibit. The Print Show 2018 will take place from September 18th to 20th at the NEC, the site of the inaugural event back in 2015, as well as the 2016 show. This year, The Print Show was staged at the International Centre in Telford and attracted praise from all quarters.

Such was the success of this year’s event that HP, which was exhibiting for the first time, opted to sign up for The Print Show 2018, while the 2017 event was still in progress. One of the leading names set to return to The Print Show in 2018 is Signmaster Systems, which provides a range of print solutions from some of the biggest brands in the industry to the market.

Speaking about the decision, director Lucy Ratcliffe explains: “We are exhibiting simply because we believe 2018 is going to be a great year, we have new courses, new products and a brand new website all to come. “I think the show is building and building, year-on-year; the time of year is great and it is something I believe we will be apart of for years to come.”

Among the other companies that have already signed up to exhibit in 2018 is Vivid Laminating Technologies, an ever-present at The Print Show since its launch in 2015. The finishing specialist had a successful time at this year’s event, showcasing a number of technologies on its stand, including its new Matrix Omni-Flow feeder. The device has the ability to laminate and foil up to 1,000 sheets unattended and, according to Vivid, can be set up five times faster than traditional offset feeders and offers long-sheet feeding.

Also attending in 2018 is Ribbon Writer, which, as its name may suggest, can supply products capable of printing onto ribbons. Based in Bromsgrove near Birmingham, the company is the sole distributer of Ribbon Writers and their consumables.

In addition, Jenton Group will look capitalise on an increase on the number of print companies moving into the packaging market by showcasing products on its stand at The Print Show 2018. Jenton Group specialises in packaging, UV and converting technology, and plans to demonstrate various kit at the show next year.

Meanwhile, Intec Printing Solutions also looks set to feature at The Print Show 2018 after managing director Ian Melville praised the company’s performance at the event this year. Intec is another long-term support of the show and after attracting a high level of interest in its new ColorFlare CF700 and ColorCut FB600 products in October, is likely to appear at the event again in 2018.

“The Print Show was larger than we expected; there were lots of exhibitors,” Melville says, adding: “It seems that The Print Show is now recognised as the annual UK print event to attend. The Print Show was a great place to meet the industry all under one roof. “Intec was able to use the Print Show as a platform to announce and launch new products launch we took some orders on the stand; this is always a positive.”