Why Colin Sinclair McDermott’s Stand is a Must-Visit at the Sign Show and the Print Show
When you walk into the upcoming Print Show and Sign Show this September, there’s one stand you won’t want to miss. It’s not just because of the comfy sofa (though that helps). It’s because of the people gathered around it – printers, sign-makers, and business owners swapping ideas, asking questions, and sharing stories. At the centre of it all is Colin Sinclair McDermott, better known as the Online Print Coach.
Colin is a business coach who has spent the last five years helping hundreds of companies across print, signage, and garment decoration. But what makes him stand out isn’t just his knowledge. It’s the way he’s built a community that encourages collaboration, even between competitors.
As Colin explains, “We have Print Mastermind, which is an online training platform and community for business owners and key people of influence within the business. We run weekly calls and training, and really it’s just a great community…it’s unusual to find a community where you’re bringing competitors together, and it’s working tremendously well.”
For sign-makers who often work in isolation, that sense of not being alone is invaluable. Colin’s Mastermind group now includes around 75 businesses – from two-person signage shops to large-scale operators. The mix is deliberate. “There are no limits or boundaries,” Colin says. “Companies of all shapes and sizes will take something away, and it’s my job to make sure that if they’re involved, they’re leaving with something.”
Why the Shows Matter
Colin has been attending the Print Show for four years now, and his view of them has shifted over time. In the beginning, like many exhibitors, he went in thinking about sales targets. But now, his goals are very different.
“As time’s gone on, my perception’s definitely changed. For me, it’s just a great opportunity to get out and meet people. Being an online business coach, a lot of my work is done in front of the laptop. So the highlight for me is meeting people in the flesh, having real conversations, and strengthening relationships.”
That focus on people over transactions shows in the atmosphere around his stand. At one point during Sign & Digital earlier this year, Colin turned around and saw 17 of his members on the stand together, catching up and chatting with newcomers. Those face-to-face connections carry over into the weekly online calls, making them stronger and more productive.
And of course, the sofa has become something of a legend. “We’ll still have the sofa,” Colin laughs. “It’s a prime piece of furniture within the stand space this year. We’ve gone bigger – up to a 5x5m stand – but the sofa will still have prime position.”
What You’ll Gain from a Chat with Colin
So, if you’re a sign-maker wandering the aisles and you stop by Colin’s stand, what will you actually take away?
Colin says the benefit comes from his bird’s-eye view of the industry, “Because I’m working with so many businesses, I get to see what’s working and what’s not. So I can quickly identify where the quick wins are in someone’s business. Add in the accountability, from me and from the community, and people tend to move forward faster.”
For many sign-makers, it’s not about reinventing the wheel. It’s about finding structure, focus, and having someone (and a group) to keep them accountable. Colin adds, “A lot of businesses I first come across are just lacking a bit of structure, or they just need someone to point them in the right direction. What I try to do is give them a blueprint to follow; something that can be adapted to any business in the industry.”
Learning from Mistakes and Sharing Them
Part of Colin’s strength is his honesty about his own journey. He’s not only experienced success – running a print franchise with 12 locations at its peak – but also setbacks, including losing a business in 2008.
“I didn’t always get it right. I made a lot of mistakes along the way as well. But with that came a lot of experience. So coming into an association like the BSGA, I can share that knowledge. I can show people where I went wrong so they don’t have to.”
For BSGA members, that kind of insight is priceless. It’s not theory, it’s lived experience, and Colin brings it with a dose of humility and humour.
Why You Should Stop By
If you’ve seen Colin on LinkedIn or listened to his podcast, you’ll know he’s generous with his advice. But the real magic happens when you step onto his stand, grab a seat on the sofa, and join the conversation. You’ll meet other sign-makers who’ve been exactly where you are and who are happy to share what’s worked for them.
As Colin puts it, “By all means, anyone who’s watching this, come along, have a seat on the big sofa. Talk to the other members of the community as well, because they can give you real-life examples of how they’ve benefited.”
Whether you’re a one-person installer or running a team of fifty, there’s something to be gained from being part of a community that genuinely wants to help each other grow.
So, if you’re heading to the Sign Show and the Print Show, make a point of stopping by the Online Print Coach stand. Chances are you’ll leave with more than just a new contact; you’ll leave with a fresh perspective on your business and a few new allies in the industry.