LARGE FORMAT TRENDS

THIS YEAR PROMISES to be quite the year for the signage industry. With a return to prepandemic demands and changing customer needs, sign shops can win by keeping a pulse on the trends shaping the large format industry.

After taking a backseat in the pandemic, out of home (OOH) is having a renaissance. A recent survey of in-house and agency brand marketers found more than half (51 percent) plan to spend more on OOH in 2023. From billboards and bus wraps to banners and floor prints, these larger-than-life displays help brands cut through the clutter and hold attention while people are moving throughout the day.

With this knowledge, printers should merchandise case studies for OOH print capabilities and the ways in which they can help brands capture attention. This could include traditional prints, as well as exhibition displays, flags, and city light ads. Modern OOH displays often include QR codes or other unique intel that can help drive engagement and, in turn, measure impact—so use those metrics to demonstrate effectiveness.

Another important factor in OOH displays is color vibrancy. Pantone announced its 2023 color of the year in Viva Magenta—a nod to the immersive, in-your-face feel of the metaverse. Being able to print these colors can help sign shops stay relevant and demonstrate relevancy in a crowded market. Consider upgrading to technology that can handle the nuanced tones of 2023.

The interior design market is always a good place to seek out the latest aesthetic trends, as often we see ideas bubble up into other types of design including signage. For 2023, organic and natural materials are at the top of many lists.

This may be a result of consumers and designers alike rethinking production and consumption habits. It’s a trend that sign shops can hop on by showcasing their work on unique print mediums like wood, stone, and organic cotton.

Sign shops can also merchandise sustainable operations—from automation to cut down on production time to utilizing recycled materials to opting for VOC-free inks that do not contain heavy metals. We know that this is important to many businesses as they choose vendors.

—Rich Reamer, Senior Director, Marketing, Canon U.S.A., Inc.