50 Years of VGL: The Story Behind Five Decades of Large Format Print

This year, VGL celebrates 50 years in print.

Founded in 1976 by Ted Ayerst, VGL began as Jadecal with a clear vision: to create better signage and graphics through quality workmanship, expertise and attention to detail.

Five decades later, that vision continues to shape the business.

The print industry has changed significantly since 1976. Materials have developed, technology has advanced, the role of graphics within brands and spaces has expanded and there is a stronger focus on sustainability.

Throughout that change, VGL continually evolved, staying relevant and exciting for its customers. By regularly investing in new technologies and people we expanded capacity and developed a unique expertise in the industry that allows us to deliver complex projects, with a breadth of product portfolio and an easy to deal with culture. 

Today, VGL supports organisations across retail, transport, commercial environments, exhibitions and public spaces, providing large format graphics that help brands communicate, inform and stand out.

A History Built on Innovation

Innovation has always been part of VGL’s story.

The introduction of computer-aided sign cutting in the 1980s transformed signage production, improving accuracy and expanding design possibilities.

Digital print technology arrived in the 1990s, marking another major shift. It unlocked detailed graphics, richer colour palettes and entirely new applications.

These developments shaped the future of the business and reflected VGL’s approach to technology: understanding how new capabilities can improve quality, efficiency and what can be achieved for projects.

That approach continues today, with ongoing investment in print technology.

Expanding Capability

The world may have become digital, but large format print continues to be an important part of how brands communicate in physical spaces.

Graphics play a role in retail spaces, transport networks, buildings, events and public environments, helping businesses create recognisable and engaging spaces.

VGL has continued to develop its expertise across a wide range of applications, notably:

• Incredible colour matching capability, minimising vehicle rebrand discrepancies
• Weaving sustainability through all operations, materials and products
• Reboard graphics as temporary alternatives for exhibitions and events
• Neon on fabric, neon inks and metallic, loved by the retail sector
• Contravision, which offers a functional solution without compromise to aesthetics
• Tactile printing to add a third dimension to what was once only a 2D product

Each project brings different requirements, from material selection through to installation and application. VGL’s experience enables the team to provide trustworthy and practical guidance throughout the process.

Hands On Expertise

Achieving exceptional print requires much more than simply running machinery.

VGL works alongside clients to understand their objectives, provide technical guidance and deliver projects that meet practical requirements. From initial concepts and material selection through to production and installation, VGL supports every stage of the process.

This collaborative, practical approach has built long-standing client relationships across multiple industries over five decades. Quality remains at the centre of every project, reflected in the attention to detail, technical knowledge and experienced teams that have supported VGL’s growth.

Responsible Production for the Future

Looking ahead means taking clear responsibility for production methods.

Looking Ahead to the Next 50 Years

Reaching 50 years is a significant milestone, but VGL’s focus remains on what comes next.

The same principles that shaped VGL in 1976 remain central today: technical expertise, reliable delivery and a commitment to quality.

VGL enters its next chapter ready for the future of print.