About Tom Upton

Hi, I’m Tom and I set up Toucan Graphics in 2023 to help businesses grow with the help of their exhibition and event graphics. I’m in my late 30’s, married to my wife Sarah and we have a dog called Kona. I’ve worked in printing since I was 16 – I feel lucky to have found a career that I enjoy and I’m really good at – printing and exhibitions brings such a variety of work and challenges.

During the time I have worked in the exhibition industry, I’ve lost count of the number of stands I have worked on, probably tens-of-thousands of stands for hundreds of companies over many different shows, not just in the UK but throughout Europe and as far as America. Whether it’s a shell-scheme, a bespoke build, right through to a large double-decker, I’ve produced every type if graphic you could need – from banners, boards and vinyls through to CNC-cut illuminated letters and custom flooring. I understand the whole process, having project managed not just the graphics, but full stand builds, as well as getting my hands dirty with a bit of carpentry and installs over the years’. My work has had such a positive impact for so many businesses.

Prior to working in exhibitions, I worked in fine art reproduction printing – right at the other end of the scale from events, with prints adorning peoples’ walls for many year, rather than being used for just a couple of days. The fine art work was more than just printing – even if was at the forefront of the technology available at the time, printing direct to glass and metal, as well as traditional high-quality heavyweight papers – there was the photography side of the job. Using large and medium format cameras, plus suitable lighting to capture really high-resolution images, which I would then colour correct in Photoshop, proofing them until perfect – an eye for detail to help with even the smallest of points.

With my photography experience, I worked for The NEC Group as the in-house photographer for a year. Capturing events, exhibitions and concerts at the groups venues throughout the Midlands. A particular highlight was photographic Metallica in the round at the NEC arena – an amazing atmosphere and some great photos.

So now you know all about me and how exhibitions and printing is in my blood, give me a call or an email so I can help you with growing your business with events and great graphics.