Special Report In response to textiles becoming
seemingly more popular for print businesses offering signage for events, new products have been answering the silent message for more choice. Scott added: “We expanded our textile
range during 2025 to include new materials such as our AirMesh Polyester, and new products including arch flags and pop-out banners. “These products are ideal for brands and
print buyers looking for impactful visuals that can be deployed efficiently across multiple locations.” Exhibitions remain a key growth area for
textile signage, with SEG fabric displays playing a prominent role, as their popularity stems from their aesthetics and practicality, as once a frame is in place graphics can be changed easily and cost-effectively. Scott continued: “Beyond functionality,
AirMesh Polyester
chasing entirely new audiences. Andy Gregory, sales director at Hybrid
Services said: “The ability to say ‘yes’ is fundamental. If a customer asks you for a product, it’s because they believe you should be able to supply it. If you can’t, there’s always a risk that the supplier they turn to for that one job starts taking the rest of their work too.” In many cases, diversification does
not begin with new investment, but with reassessing the capabilities already in place, for instance, solvent printer cutters often see their true value in its breadth of application, and not just day to day production. Busy production environments can
lead to a more narrowed focus on routine jobs, causing businesses to overlook opportunities to upsell or cross-sell additional products to existing customers. Expanding their use to canvas prints,
workwear, and garment printing with heat-transfer vinyl or even décor applications such as wallpaper squeeze more value out of the initial investment and offer attractive new products to take to existing customers. Andy explained: “It’s often a surprise
to customers just how far you can push a familiar workflow. The power of UV printing means that a technology that’s happy creating precision cut decals can just as easily be used to produce backlit polyester textiles for lightboxes.” Looking further ahead, diversification
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through targeted investment can open up high-value opportunities. Technologies such as DTF, UV DTF and
UV direct to object printing offer strong margins, fast turnaround and growing demand for personalisation. Approached as a considered progression,
diversification becomes less about chasing trends and more about building long-term resilience, relevance and customer loyalty. Andy concluded: “Mimaki’s product
line-up affords huge opportunity for businesses to diversify their offering. Be it maximising the output from what you’ve already got or investigating new and accessible technologies to enhance your offering, there’s enormous potential in taking a closer look at what’s out there.”
The use of textiles Diversification can mean many things to the varying aspects of the sign industry, but one aspect yet to be covered is substrates, or more specifically textiles. Gaining understanding from Venture
Banner’s director and co-founder, Scott Conway, it was suggested that textiles is a forerunner for those seeking diversification in materials. Scott said: “From our perspective, one of the clearest indicators of this shift over the past year has been the continued growth of textile displays, a trend that gathered momentum throughout 2025 and shows no signs of slowing as we move into 2026.”
textile signage offers additional advantages such as ease of transportation, reduced weight and simplified installation which all lower logistical barriers, while advances in print technology continue to deliver vibrant, high-quality results.” For print businesses, remaining relevant
to clients is the basis for diversification. The customer whose expectation is expanding rather than just adding new products is a driving force for companies and their search for diversifying their offerings. Scott concluded: “As a trade-only
large-format print partner, our role is to enable that diversification by providing access to specialist equipment and expertise, without requiring significant capital investment or additional floor space. “Looking ahead, diversification will
remain central to how print businesses grow and strengthen customer relationships, with textile signage set to play an increasingly important role in that journey.”
Looking forwards Looking towards the future of the industry, the sign makers that can adapt and offer new services, whilst using their existing equipment, substrates, and software, will be able to succeed more in diversification and expanding their businesses. Diversification doesn’t have to mean
an overhaul of services, but more of a progressive way of offering more to your customers without having to expend more effort, and money, than necessary.
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