Signs & Large Format Print
Anniversary: history exhibition, publication, awards
A round anniversary is the one moment when a company can talk about itself without embarrassment. People like looking at old photos of the factory, the first company van, the old logo. The simplest way is an exhibition on boards: 8–15 boards of about 70 × 100 cm, each covering one period or theme (the beginnings, expansion, people, products, today). We print the boards directly on 5 mm foamed PVC – approx. €26–39 net per m², so one 70 × 100 cm board costs roughly €20 to €28 net. If the exhibition will later hang permanently in reception or a corridor, it is better to choose fabric frames with replaceable graphics from the start.
The most common problem with a history exhibition is the photos. Prints from albums need to be scanned at good resolution – we do the scanning in-house, including scans of large documents and plans. A phone photo of an old photograph looks poor on a 70 × 100 cm board.
An anniversary publication – from a leaflet of a dozen or so pages to a hardcover book. As a guide: an A5 hardcover book, 164 pages, 100 copies costs approx. €700 net. A simple saddle-stitched A4 catalogue, 16 pages, 100 pcs – approx. €220 net. Preparing the content usually costs more than the printing: collecting photos and memories, proofreading.
Awards and trophies for the longest-serving staff we make from acrylic (laser cut and engraved), by 3D printing or routed from Dibond – more in our guide on custom trophies and awards.
Staff picnic: gazebos, zones, clothing
At a picnic what counts is dividing the site into zones that can be seen from afar: catering, stage, children's area, registration, first aid. A typical set looks like this:
- a 3 × 3 m or 3 × 4.5 m printed promotional gazebo at registration and catering – from approx. €750 net (3 × 3 m) and from approx. €1,030 net (3 × 4.5 m) fully printed; the gazebo stays with the company for years to come,
- 4–8 feather flags along the access road and at the entrance – Winder Midi 70 × 340 cm from approx. €75 net with pole, plus a base suited to the ground (lawn – ground spike, paving – cross base or plate base),
- a banner for the fence or stage – coated banner approx. €7–13 net/m²,
- a photo wall with the logo and anniversary slogan – a 240 × 230 cm banner wall from approx. €210 net,
- T-shirts for organisers and volunteers in one colour – an A4 print for 50–99 pcs costs approx. €2.35 net each (excluding the T-shirt).
From experience: choose the gazebo size for what has to fit under it – a table, two people, a fridge, a queue of guests. More on sizes in our guide which promotional gazebo size. And take weights for the gazebo – an afternoon wind in open ground can be a surprise.
Factory open day: visitor route and guest safety
An open day means guests on a site that is normally closed to outsiders. The signage must guide them safely and not be confused with the factory's permanent signage.
- Mark out the tour route and sketch it on the hall plan – with the entrance, stopping points and the exit.
- Number the stops and prepare a board with a short description at each: what happens here, what machine, what is produced. 3 mm PVC is enough (approx. €21–33 net/m²) – after the event they can stay as permanent descriptions.
- Arrows on the floor – floor stickers with R10 anti-slip laminate (approx. €19–30 net/m²) show the way without putting extra stands in the walkways.
- Mark closed zones clearly and physically – with tape, a barrier with a cover or a roller banner with information.
- At the entrance put up a large site plan marked with you are here, toilets and the assembly point.
Safety rules for guests (footwear, vests, no-go zones) are set by the factory's health and safety team – we print what they approve. Remember that temporary boards must not cover emergency exit signs or fire extinguishers.
Schedule and budget
| Item | When to start | Indicative net cost |
|---|---|---|
| Anniversary book or album | 3–4 months (content, photos, proofreading) | approx. €700 for 100 pcs A5, hardcover, 164 pages |
| History exhibition (10 boards 70 × 100 cm on 5 mm PVC) | 6–8 weeks (scans, design) | approx. €165–280 for printing |
| Printed 3 × 3 m gazebo | 4–6 weeks | from approx. €750 |
| Feather flags (complete with pole) | 3–4 weeks | from approx. €47–125 each |
| Photo wall 240 × 230 cm | 3–4 weeks | from approx. €210 |
| Branded gifts | 4–6 weeks (depending on the product) | e.g. a boxed set from approx. €6 each for 50 pcs |
| Route boards and floor stickers | 2–3 weeks | per m², see above |
Printing banners, boards or flags normally takes about 3 working days with us, and if needed an express 24-hour service is possible. The longer lead times in the table come from design, approvals and gathering materials on the company's side – that is where most time usually goes. Prices are indicative; we confirm the exact amount once we receive the list and dimensions.
- 24 hexpress printing (UV inks need no drying)
- approx. 3 daysstandard lead time
- up to 14 dayslarge and custom projects with installation
Plus courier delivery. Tell us your date — we plan production around it.
Gifts for staff and guests
A gift for an employee with 25 years' service is thought about differently from a small item for a guest's child at a picnic. A two-level split usually works:
- for staff – something that will last for years: a branded gift set in a box engraved with the logo and anniversary date (from approx. €6 net each for 50 pcs), an engraved flask (from approx. €7 net for 100 pcs), a copy of the anniversary publication with a dedication,
- for guests – cheap, practical items: a mug, a bottle (from approx. €3.05 net for 100 pcs), a bag, a lanyard, a sun cap.
A separate anniversary mark (logo + 30 years or the dates) looks good on gifts, but do not replace the company logo with it on items meant to be used long after the event. More ideas in our guide on branded gift sets for staff and clients.
What remains after the event
A well-planned anniversary leaves the company with materials for years to come. The gazebo, feather flags and backdrop go back out to trade shows, fairs and open days. History boards can hang in reception, the canteen or the training room. Boards from the tour route often stay as permanent workstation descriptions.
That is why when designing we advise separating one-off elements from permanent ones: just the logo and website on the gazebo and flags, and the anniversary slogan on a banner or backdrop that is easy to replace. A new canopy for a 3 × 3 m gazebo costs from approx. €400 net, and a new feather flag graphic costs a fraction of a complete set – there is no need to buy everything again. If the event is on the scale of a town fair, see also our guide on outdoor event signage.