HM Border Force asked us to design a sustainable exhibition stand for the Southampton Boat Show. Their goal was clear: create their most engaging presence yet, while reducing environmental impact at every stage.

We created a distinctive, interactive space that brought Border Force’s maritime work to life. 

A Border Force jet ski formed a standout centrepiece, supported by digital screens and a special appearance from a Border Force search dog helped draw additional footfall and created genuine moments of connection.

We also incorporated a UK coastline map and links to Project Kraken to encourage conversations around maritime crime reporting, helping turn the stand into an educational touchpoint as well as a visual attraction.

Eco‑Friendly Materials and Low‑Carbon Production Choices

• Replaced plastics with fibre‑based, recyclable packaging aligned with event recycling policies.
• Recycled or responsibly sourced materials for all merchandise.
• Printed collateral on recycled paper, with carbon offset through verified UK tree‑planting initiatives.
• Designed a modular exhibition stand that’s built for repeated use.
• Used PVC‑free substrates throughout the display.

HM Border Force’s sustainable exhibition stand delivered strong long‑term value through a modular design that reduces waste, lowers future costs and supports environmentally responsible event production.

The stand earned second place in the Southampton Boat Show’s Environmental Awards and achieved exceptional engagement, with visitor interaction more than doubling compared with the previous year despite lower overall attendance, demonstrating the impact of smart design, clear storytelling and interactive features.

Having produced the assets for the National Apprenticeship Week for over three years via Print Marketplace. We were delighted to secure responsibility for delivering the National Apprenticeship Week for 2026.

The Challenge

The client needed a unified and cohesive set of design themes for multiple skills and apprenticeship related celebration events, which historically had lacked consistency.

Think

The Department for Education sought to enhance the prestige associated with government-led celebration programs and introduce a clear visual hierarchy that would distinguish the purpose of each event.

We needed to ensure that assets were more accessible, consistent, and user-friendly for internal departments, partners, employers, training providers, and wider stakeholders.

Create

We defined the brand architecture, improved accessibility, the visual relationships between events, and created a scalable design system that future‑proofed the events.

Our work spanned creative concepting, brand development, asset creation, toolkit creation and support across design, digital, and print channels.

Deliver

We delivered a comprehensive suite of assets within a tight timeframe, from refreshed logos and toolkits to countdown animations, social badges, and graduation materials. Together, these elements created a more consistent identity and strengthened recognition of the NAW brand across every channel.

The Print Marketplace (CCS Framework RM6071) is an online platform that enables public sector organisations to purchase compliant, cost-effective print services directly from a large pool of pre-qualified suppliers.

Below are three case studies showing how the platform is a true end-to-end service, an effective digital solution and how it can simplify print buying.

More than just print

Ulster University used the platform to purchase vibrant, engaging graphics for a high-profile campus opening. Multiple installations were needed, all whilst building work was still ongoing. The Print Marketplace supplier co-ordinated the installation with on-site contractors and the university team so that everything was ready for the grand opening!

A flexible framework

Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council needed a compliant framework to purchase a variety of print. The Print Marketplace allows them to channel all their requirements through a single user and different buying routes are available depending on how much support is required. The platform also gives the opportunity to buy local and supports hybrid working.

Simplifying print buying

The University of Worcester has opted to close their print room and use the Print Marketplace. APS provided training sessions to facilitate the transition, offering ongoing support once live. There are now over 80 users buying print via the platform, enjoying time and cost savings as well as assured business continuity and the option to contribute towards their green agenda.

As part of our Crown Commercial Services agreement (Lot 1 RM3785 Managed Print and Digital), we took on the printing and dispatch of the Companies House highly secure mailing activity.

Think

In collaboration with Companies House to kick start project transition, we developed a comprehensive work stream plan –this included a parallel run of work during the final week of transfer to account for its highly critical and no-fail nature. As with all project implementations, our risk and compliance team developed and managed a risk register. This also included developing and testing a disaster recovery solution. We set up a secure communications channel to receive daily automated print requests.

Create

Our facility holds full PCI DSS certification -all data is fully encrypted and rigid data retention standards ensure that all customer data is deleted within 30 days. The items are then printed through our automated production line, mail sorted and despatched. Print quality has been guaranteed through a combination of Six Sigma sample size calculators and internal quality management tools.

Deliver

By working collaboratively with Companies House to understand their mail profiles and volumes, we were able to recommend the most appropriate mail tariff. This was fully tested through our in-house high speed mail sortation machines to validate address quality and qualification. The fully automated file receipt, validation and production readiness routines are much more efficient, with Companies House now only needing to become involved if any discrepancies arise. The main SLA of zero spoils and 100% correct despatches each day is fulfilled.

“Thank you to APS for delivering a seamless and pain free transition. The whole project was on a short timeline, but APS demonstrated agility and flexibility in adapting to what was required. The Companies House team quickly developed confidence in APS’s delivery capabilities, and we did indeed achieve the target that we both wanted.”