The UK's largest annual event dedicated to the printing industry
Ask anyone why they visit The Print Show and you'll probably get a different answer.
Some arrive with a shopping list, ready to invest in new equipment. Others are looking to compare technologies before making a purchasing decision, while plenty simply want to see what's new and catch up with customers, suppliers and industry colleagues.
That variety is one of the reasons The Print Show has become such an important fixture in the UK print calendar. Returning to the NEC in Birmingham from 29 September to 1 October, the 2026 edition will once again bring together many of the biggest names in print manufacturing, software, finishing and materials, offering visitors the chance to see the latest technology in action and speak directly with the people behind it.
However, The Print Show has never been just about selling machinery.
Yes, there will be production presses, wide-format printers, finishing equipment, workflow software and plenty of live demonstrations, but the real value lies in understanding where the market is heading and what opportunities exist for print businesses over the next few years. Whether you are looking to invest immediately or simply planning ahead, spending time with manufacturers and industry experts can often prove just as valuable as seeing the equipment itself.
Looking beyond traditional print
One of the biggest talking points in print over the past decade has been diversification.
Commercial printers are increasingly expanding beyond their traditional markets, moving into areas such as wide-format graphics, packaging, labels, textile decoration, direct-to-film (DTF), direct-to-garment (DTG) and personalised products. Others are bringing finishing work back in-house to improve turnaround times and retain more profit.
Rather than reading about these opportunities online, visitors to The Print Show can see many of these applications being produced live, compare different technologies and discuss the realities of adding new services with both manufacturers and businesses already working in these sectors.
That ability to compare solutions side by side remains one of the show's biggest strengths. Instead of travelling to multiple showrooms or relying solely on online research, visitors can explore a wide range of equipment under one roof and ask the questions that matter to their own business.
More than machines
While the technology is undoubtedly a major draw, The Print Show also places a strong emphasis on education.
The popular Knowledge Zone returns once again, bringing together industry specialists and guest speakers to discuss some of the biggest issues affecting print businesses today. Topics such as artificial intelligence, sustainability, cybersecurity, automation and business development will all feature across the three-day event, giving visitors practical advice they can apply long after leaving the NEC.
New for 2026 is Print Mastermind Live!, created in partnership with Colin Sinclair McDermott, better known as The Online Print Coach. Rather than traditional presentations, the feature will encourage open discussion around many of the day-to-day challenges facing print companies, from winning new business and improving profitability to recruitment, marketing and pricing.
There will also be the opportunity to see and hear from exhibitors in a different setting through The Print Show Podcast Booth, where live interviews and industry discussions will be recorded throughout the event.
Alongside The Sign Show
A ticket to The Print Show also gives visitors access to The Sign Show, which returns after making a successful debut last year.
The event has quickly established itself as a dedicated showcase for the UK sign-making sector, bringing together suppliers of wide-format print equipment, sign-making technology, vinyl, engraving systems, vehicle wrapping solutions, digital signage and traditional sign production.
For print companies already active in graphics, or those considering expanding into signage, having both events under one roof makes perfect sense. Visitors can move freely between the exhibitions, compare technologies and discover opportunities that perhaps weren't even on their radar before arriving.
The Sign Show will also feature the return of the popular Traditional Sign-Making Masterclass, while the new BSGA Navigator will offer independent advice to help visitors identify exhibitors, technologies and business opportunities that best match their requirements.
Time well spent
Few people visit a trade show expecting every answer to be waiting for them on a single stand.
Instead, events such as The Print Show are about conversations. They're about seeing ideas come to life, asking questions, comparing approaches and leaving with a clearer understanding of where your business could go next.
Whether you're planning a major investment, looking to diversify, or simply want to spend a day keeping up with the latest developments, The Print Show continues to offer one of the best opportunities in the UK to see the print industry at work. Combined with The Sign Show, it provides visitors with three days of technology, expertise and inspiration, all under one roof.