Why Should Designers Attend the Sign & Print Expo

The design and sign industries are closely connected, but there is a gap between designing digitally and designing for a physical environment. Design for signage requires a deeper understanding of materials, scale, lighting, and durability. A layout that looks perfect on screen can behave very differently once stretched around a vehicle or installed across the surface of a building.

Designers attending the Sign & Print Expo will gain hands-on insight into the real requirements of sign design. With 50+ exhibitors showcasing tools, materials, substrates and machinery, designers can get the full picture of how sign making operates. Touching materials, observing surface finishes, and understanding how different substrates behave will give you insight into how designs will perform once installed.

The Expo will also introduce you to the latest technologies, print capabilities and innovative signage techniques, sparking fresh ideas and encouraging designers to experiment in ways they may not have previously considered. Attending will also lead to networking opportunities with the printers, sign makers and installers who bring your design concepts to life.

Opening day on Wednesday 17 June will feature two speaker sessions created specifically with designers in mind:

Design for Sign Making – Bridging the Gap
1pm-2pm
This session will explore the relationship between creative design and practical application. Guy Hohmann, Director of Maynard Design Consultancy, will share insights into how strong concepts can be translated into signage that not only looks impressive but performs effectively in real world conditions.

Wayfinding Design in the Environment
2pm-3pm
Emme Jacob, Director of Environments at THERE, and Nick Kapica, an experiential graphic urbanist, will explore how signage and wayfinding shape the experience of place.

Emme brings experience in brand and identity design, approaching wayfinding with narratives that connect place, people and purpose. Her work highlights the growing role of sustainability in design thinking, exploring how projects evolve from early concept through to long term use.

Nick’s work focuses on the space between architecture, landscape design, urban planning and fabrication. His approach centres on user experience, with emphasis on readability, accessibility and thoughtful detail. By translating bold design ideas into intuitive and inclusive environments, his work demonstrates how successful wayfinding connects people with space in meaningful ways.

The NZ Sign & Print Expo is a unique opportunity for designers to discover new inspiration and see how ideas work in real-world environments. Entry is free, making it an accessible and valuable experience for designers at every stage of their career.
Door tickets are available at the entrance, but registering online helps us plan and ensures we know who will be attending.

Register to attend the expo

Registering for the speaker sessions guarantees your seat. Walk-ins are welcome if space allows.
• Register for the Design for Signwriting Talk
• Register for the Wayfinding Design Talk