2025 Wrap Up

This year has been a huge year at Route 1 Print! From welcoming over 250 visitors across our Open Days to producing  hundreds of thousands jobs for our resellers, it’s been non-stop action. We’ve launched innovative products, upgraded our technology, made proofing faster and smarter, and introduced tools to make your life easier, plus, we’ve added plenty of ways to get your clients’ print delivered exactly how they want it. 

And this is just the start: 2026 is shaping up to be even bigger, bolder, and more brilliant. Keep your eyes peeled for what’s coming next, because we’ve got even more surprises in store! But for now, why not take some time to rewind and have a look back at everything we’ve been up to in 2025.

 

Product Launches

Backlit Posters
At the start of the year, we kicked things off when we launched Backlit Posters, printed on 205 mic Coala Backlit polyester for eye-popping lightbox and illuminated displays. Translucent, water-resistant, and packed with vibrant colour and razor-sharp detail, all powered by EFI™ VUTEk tech. Custom sizes mean your clients’ designs shine bright, day or night.

Low Ink Coverage Exercise Books
Later, we introduced Low Ink Coverage Exercise Books, a smart, cost-effective option without cutting corners on quality. Featuring thinner stock and a 20% TAC limit, they’re available in wiro or perfect bound, and fully customisable for education, training, or branded workbooks.

Stretch Fabric Tube Banners
We launched our premium stretch fabric tube banners, think roller banner convenience meets high-impact, wrinkle-free visuals. Crafted from durable double-sided 260gsm seamless fabric with rounded corners and a sleek base, they’re designed to stand tall, look sharp, and make your clients’ displays effortlessly eye-catching. Easy to assemble and swap graphics, these banners bring instant impact to any event, without the heavy lifting.

Heras® Fence Covers and Café Barriers
Then we expanded our large format range with Heras® Fence Covers and Cafe Barriers. Turning plain fencing into bold advertising space, our Heras Fences are durable, weatherproof, fully customisable, and finished with rust-resistant eyelets, they’re built to brave the elements while keeping colours punchy and long-lasting.Fully customisable, our café barriers are designed to elevate outdoor spaces. With powder-coated or stainless-steel frames and weatherproof graphics, they combine practicality with premium presentation, while ready-to-use sales tools make them effortless to sell.

Paper Bags
In summer, we added Paper Bags to our range, giving retailers and makers stylish, practical packaging. Available in multiple sizes with white or brown kraft options, reinforced handles, and FSC® certification, they’re durable, brand-ready, and built to carry your clients’ branding in style.

Stickers & Labels Expansion
We expanded our stickers and labels range this year, launching new stocks including gloss, uncoated, polypropylene, and hammered martele. We’ve also introduced stickers on reels, custom-sized stickers, and most recently, eye-catching custom-shaped options, giving your clients even more ways to stick out from the crowd.

Custom Shape Signage 
To end 2025, we took large format signage beyond rectangles with custom shape options. Custom signage is Ideal for logos, arrows, event signage, and directional displays, available across indoor and outdoor materials.

Custom Shape Flyers
Wrapping up 2025, we’ve given flyers a fun twist with fully custom shapes. From quirky cut-outs to bold, brand-specific designs, these flyers turn ordinary promotions into memorable, eye-catching pieces your clients’ audiences won’t forget.

 

Proofing and Web Improvements

Online Proofing Enhancements
This year, we supercharged our online proofing, making approvals faster and smoother than ever. With bigger file uploads, 3D previews, page-turners, and the ability to tweak artwork right up until production, every product on our site can now be proofed online, giving your clients total control with zero stress.

AI Resolution Enhancer
We also launched our AI resolution enhancer, automatically fixing low-resolution artwork in seconds, completely free. With a preview slider to compare before and after, it saves time, reduces artwork back-and-forths, and guarantees crisp, professional print.

New and Improved Account Area
Our account area got a serious glow-up this year! Sleeker, faster, and packed with features designed around your feedback, it’s now easier than ever to manage orders, adjust quotes, update addresses, and keep track of everything in one place. Plus, loyalty rewards are front and centre, so every order works harder for you. 

Saved Basket Functionality
This year, we made juggling multiple clients and print jobs a breeze with our new Saved Basket feature. Now you can save baskets with custom references, lock prices for 30 days, download clean, unbranded quotes, and order, duplicate, or cancel with a single click. Over 30 days? Simply renew and refresh. Everything stays organised, professional, and ready whenever you are, making managing multiple jobs smoother than ever.

 

Marketing Tools

How To Sell Resources
In 2025, we launched our full “How To Sell” toolkit across ourentire product range. From unbranded sales and technical sheets to stock images and assembly videos, everything is ready to download, share, and help your clients buy with confidence.

Downloadable Large Format Catalogue
This year we also introduced a free, unbranded large format catalogue packed with product specs and inspiration. Designed to help you sell premium, high-margin print confidently, backed by cutting-edge production technology.

Downloadable Reseller Catalogue
Following that we also launched a free, unbranded 120-page reseller catalogue featuring over 75 products. Available as an email-friendly PDF, fully customisable version, virtual browse, or personalised cover edition, it’s a powerful sales tool that keeps us firmly behind the curtain.

Customisation Centre
Ending the year, we launched our new Customisation Centre, letting you brand sales sheets, tech sheets, delivery notes, and more with your logo. Everything stays professional, consistent, and unmistakably yours!

 

Delivery Upgrades

Faster Turnarounds
At the start of the year, we supercharged production with new in-house EFI™ technology, which meant we were able to intrisuce faster turnarounds across large format. Next-day delivery became available on a range of products.

Expanded Courier Options
We then went on to expand our courier network to include UPS, unlocking timed services like pre-9am delivery, faster Scottish deliveries, and improved flexibility across the UK and Northern Ireland.

Palletways Partnership
We also recently partnered with Palletways to make large, heavy print deliveries safer and simpler. Tail lifts, GPS tracking, and premium pallet delivery are included free for qualifying orders, while smaller parcels remain covered by DPD.

 

Other Exciting Updates

A Greener Future For Print
This year, as part of our ongoing Sustainability Strategy, we supercharged our onsite renewable energy with the addition of 1,765 new solar panels, generating an extra 839,626?kWh per year, enough to power thousands of kettles or a fair few printers! Together with energy efficiency improvements, these initiatives supply around 13–15% of Route?1 Print’s annual energy needs, helping resellers offer print with greener credentials while reducing our carbon footprint and keeping production sustainable for the future.

100 Free Business Cards
In November, we rolled out our upgraded business cards and celebrated by giving away 100 free premium 450gsm, double-sided, matte-laminated cards with any order over £100. Produced on state-of-the-art Heidelberg presses with precision cutting technology, these cards deliver rich colours and sharp detail. Resellers could keep them or pass them on to clients, with a full marketing toolkit included to promote the offer across in-store, online, and social channels.

10 Days of Christmas
We kicked off the festive season with our Route 1 Print Christmas Warm-Up, treating Loyalty & Rewards members to 10 days of prizes and festive fun. Across the event, we gave away hundreds of prizes, from top tech and luxury treats to unforgettable experiences and loyalty points. With daily giveaways and a final grand prize draw, it was our way of saying thank you and spreading a little early Christmas cheer.

Loyalty and Rewards
We started the year by spoiling our Loyalty & Rewards members! January kicked off with double points for the New Year, Valentine’s Day saw £20 credit go to 14 lucky winners, our 1-year birthday treated everyone to double points on all orders, and we even gave away two holidays worth over £2k each. Not opted in yet? You’re missing all the fun (and the rewards)!

And that’s a wrap!

Thanks for another incredible year, we hope 2026 bring even more opportunities for your business!