Training courses for the sign & print industry
Workshops for your business
Find the right training course for you
Not sure where to start? Here’s a simple breakdown of our workshops.
The First Drill
For beginners
The First Drill helps you get familiar with common terminology, products, materials, artwork, installation basics and the creative thinking behind good signs and print.
On The Frontline
Suitable for all levels
On The Frontline is not generic sales training. It helps teams move away from purely price-led conversations and focus on trust, communication, repeat business and long-term client value.
Make it Matter
Minimum 3 months’ industry experience
A practical materials workshop for sign, print, POS and retail display professionals who want to make smarter specification decisions.
The Signage Bootcamp™
Intermediate level
The Signage Bootcamp™ is built for people who want to understand products, materials, processes and opportunities in more detail.
The Illuminated Bootcamp
Intermediate level
Build confidence with illuminated signage through a practical one-day workshop covering terminology, products, components, wiring, troubleshooting and hands-on learning.
Who our training courses are for...
Our workshops are suitable for a wide range of roles across the industry.
The workshops are useful for those who are brand new (The First Drill), but more often than not support experienced professionals, business owners and established teams who want to refresh their knowledge, improve processes or get more from the opportunities in front of them. Those that have joined us have been in the industry from 5 days to 43 years, there is always something new to learn.
Signage companies
Print businesses
New starters and apprentices
Marketing professionals
Meet the people who Make it Happen
Make it Happen is a female-founded, all-female team supporting the sign and print industry across the UK, USA, Australia, New Zealand and Canada.
Behind the business is a team with real experience, practical knowledge and a shared commitment to helping others learn, grow and deliver better work.
Sam
Founder & CEO
Katie
Zoe
Consultant
Libby
Wendy
USA Partner
Michelle
AUS/NZD Partner
Building
Our workshops combine expert knowledge, real-world experience and hands-on learning to give you ideas, skills and confidence you can put into practice straight away.
Why train with Make it Happen?
We are so pleased to have Sam and the team at Make It Happen help support Astley staff with expert industry training. For our new starters, the courses cover all the essentials to give them well-rounded insight into signage, and for those of us with lots of experience already, the courses help us also develop expertise in growing areas such as Sustainability. Our teams have all fed back how insightful and engaging the sessions were and as a business, investing in equipping our teams with the latest industry knowledge has proved really valuable.
James Mavi
Being part of a female-led programme in such a male-dominated industry was fantastic. I learnt so much during the Signage Bootcamp that I’m still digesting it all!
One of the most valuable aspects for me was gaining a detailed understanding of different materials and fixings, as well as being able to see and handle these in person. It has given me a much greater understanding of the products and made me feel more confident when putting together proposals.
The course was really well run, highly interactive and enjoyable. I’d definitely be interested in attending more Make it Happen workshops in the future.
Julia Alderman
The Sustainability Bootcamp was incredibly informative, particularly the section on sustainable materials. It gave me practical knowledge that I'll be applying in my own work, especially around helping small sign companies begin their sustainability journey. The insight into what leading signage companies are doing was a real eye-opener, and the presenters' knowledge and commitment were clear throughout.
Alan Gunter
The Sustainability Bootcamp provided valuable insight into new materials and sustainable alternatives to traditional options. I'm leaving with practical actions to support sustainability conversations with our framework clients and to help build our team's knowledge. Steve's passion and expertise made the workshop both engaging and inspiring.
Julia Summerson
I'd recommend the Make It Happen workshops to anyone in our industry. Three courses over three days could have been exhausting, but I left each session feeling energised and full of practical ideas. From discovering new sustainable products and implementing new systems, to improving my LinkedIn profile and rethinking how I approach sales, every workshop provided valuable takeaways I can put into practice straight away.
Julie Boaden-Dunn
Build product knowledge
Sell with more confidence
Understand materials and processes
Bring more value back into the business
Frequently asked questions
Can we have an exclusive bootcamp for just our own team?
Yes! We offer private bootcamps exclusively for your team. A minimum booking of 6 participants is required. Contact us to discuss your preferred dates and requirements.
Will I learn how to make signs?
This is one of our most frequently asked questions. While a one-day bootcamp won’t teach you how to fully manufacture signs, you’ll gain a solid understanding of the sign-making process and be introduced to key manufacturing techniques and materials. If you’d like to discuss what you’ll learn in more detail, let’s have a chat.
Which course is best for beginners?
This course is our recommended starting point for anyone new to the signage industry or those looking to build a solid foundation of knowledge. The course is designed to introduce you to the core principles of sign making, including materials, manufacturing methods, terminology, and industry best practices. You’ll also gain an understanding of how different types of signage are produced and the processes involved, helping you make more informed decisions in your role.
Whether you’re starting a new career, joining a signage business, or simply want to understand the industry better, The First Drill is the ideal place to begin before progressing to more specialised training.
Can the workshops be held from our own premises?
Absolutely. We can deliver training at your premises. Contact us to discuss your location and requirements.
Do you offer sales training for sign and print businesses?
Yes. On The Frontline is designed for sign and print businesses that want to improve client conversations, customer experience, communication and sales confidence.
Can experienced professionals attend the courses?
Yes. Our courses are suitable for a mix of experience levels. Many experienced professionals attend to refresh their knowledge, fill gaps, build confidence or support wider team development.
Do you offer sustainability training for sign and print businesses?
Yes. Sustainability Bootcamp is designed to help sign and print businesses understand sustainability in a practical way, with a focus on better decisions, business value and real-world action.
How much do your courses cost?
Course prices can vary depending on the workshop, date and package. Please check our course page to view upcoming dates and course prices.
How do I book a training course?
Booking is easy. Simply email training@makeih.co.uk or call 0116 258 2513, and our team will help you choose the right course and complete your booking.
Can’t find the answer you’re looking for? Get in touch and we’ll help.
It's time to
It's time to
We help signage, print and design businesses choose the right products, source them properly and avoid the mistakes that cost time and money.
We care about getting things right, sharing what we know and helping you bring projects together.
