Signage training courses in Australia & New Zealand
Practical signage training for sign and print businesses that want to build knowledge, reduce mistakes and upskill their teams.
Find the right training course for you
Make it Happen delivers practical signage training courses for the Australian and New Zealand sign and print industry.
The First Drill
For beginners
A practical starting point for people new to the sign and print industry, covering signage basics, materials, artwork, installation and creative signage.
On The Frontline
Suitable for all levels
Sales and communication training built specifically for sign and print businesses, helping teams improve client conversations, value and confidence.
The Signage Bootcamp™
Intermediate level
Hands-on signage training for teams who want stronger product knowledge, practical confidence and a clearer understanding of fabricated signage.
The Illuminated Bootcamp
Intermediate level
Practical illuminated signage training to help teams understand, specify and sell illuminated signage with more confidence.
Who our training courses are for...
Our signage training courses are built for real people working across the sign and print industry in Australia and New Zealand.
They are suitable for new starters, experienced professionals and growing teams who want to improve technical understanding, commercial confidence and everyday decision-making.
Our workshops are ideal for:
New staff entering the sign and print industry
Sales teams who need stronger technical confidence
Designers moving from creative, marketing or print backgrounds into signage
Project managers and coordinators who want clearer workflows
Print companies expanding into signage
Production teams looking to reduce errors and rework
New starters and apprentices
Experienced professionals looking for a practical refresher
Meet the people who Make it Happen
Make it Happen is a female-founded, all-female team supporting the sign and print industry across Australia, New Zealand, the UK, the USA and Canada.
Behind the business is a team with real signage experience, practical knowledge and a shared commitment to helping others learn, grow and deliver better work.
Michelle
AUS/NZD Lead Trainer & Consultant
Sam
Founder & CEO
Wendy
USA Partner
Katie
Zoe
Consultant
Libby
Building
Training should feel useful long after the workshop ends. Our courses are practical, hands-on and built around the real challenges sign and print businesses deal with every day.
Why train with Make it Happen?
Being part of Michelle’s First Drill Bootcamp was an absolute privilege. It’s always valuable to keep learning and exploring new ideas within the signage industry, and this bootcamp delivered exactly that. Both Mat and myself gained a tremendous amount of knowledge, from understanding different substrates right through to the full finishing process.
Michelle’s delivery style kept everyone fully engaged throughout the session. Her ability to break down complex concepts, encourage discussion, and create an environment where everyone felt comfortable asking questions made the experience both enjoyable and incredibly informative. I walked away with new skills, fresh insights, and a renewed appreciation for the craft. I would highly recommend the First Drill Bootcamp to anyone looking to deepen their understanding of signage production.

Tim Upton
Working with Michelle and Make It Happen has been a game-changer for our business. We knew we had gaps in our workflows and communication, but we didn’t realise how much they were holding us back until she stepped in. Michelle helped us streamline our processes from enquiry to delivery, making our workflow clearer, faster, and far more consistent. She also transformed the way we communicate our value - giving us the confidence and language to explain why our solutions are the right ones. Her product knowledge is second to none. She guided us through material choices, best-practice methods, and smarter ways to approach jobs that have already reduced rework and improved our margins. What we appreciated most was how practical and hands-on her support was. No fluff just real, actionable improvements that made an immediate difference. We’re a stronger, more capable business because of her, and we wouldn’t hesitate to recommend her consultancy to any sign company wanting to lift their performance.

Jolene Cruz
Michelle is a fantastic supplier to work with. She is consistently helpful, highly responsive, and always willing to share practical advice and industry knowledge that supports our members.
We loved having Michelle run her Illumination Bootcamp at the Sign & Print Expo, which was well attended and highly valued by members keen to build their knowledge.
Michelle also spoke at the Sign & Print Expo, where she delivered practical insights on top tips for handling tough sales situations, which was well received by attendees.
She also attended as an exhibitor on the Sustainability Hub, where she shared her knowledge and championed more sustainable approaches within the industry.
The NZ Sign & Display Association (NZSDA) appreciates her professionalism and ongoing support, and she is a real asset to work with.

Mikayla Hopkins
I first connected with Michelle through her signage bootcamps, and the quality of what she delivers there says a lot about who she is. As a 4th generation signwriter herself, she has a genuine appreciation for where the trade has come from. That’s what makes her advice land differently — she knows the industry from the inside out and she’s invested in other businesses doing well. I’d recommend her to anyone in the ANZ sign and print space without hesitation.
Nic Lewis
I attended Michelle’s Signage Bootcamp and found it extremely valuable. Although I am not directly involved in the signage industry, the session gave me a strong understanding of how signage contributes to the wider brand experience and why it should never be overlooked. It was great to speak with others working in the industry, and the conversations throughout the day were really interesting. I found I learn more on the considerations needed from early design development right through to specification, fabrication and installation.
Becky White
Great fun and detailed workshop. Catered to new people getting into illuminated signage. Seasoned sign makers will get a few take aways from the workshop too.
Sam Cullen
I recently attended the Signage Bootcamp by Make It Happen Signage Academy and it was a fantastic workshop. Michelle was very informative and shared a wealth of practical knowledge throughout the session. I really enjoyed learning about new products and exploring different ways to produce signage. It was insightful, well-structured, and highly valuable for anyone in the signage industry.
Tsvetelina Minkovska
Michelle at Make it Happen was very knowledgable and a great speaker, being a fourth generation signwriter, she has a lot of experience on many facets of the signage industry. I highly recommend taking advantage of one of her classes, you will come away with new skills and new insight into manufacturing and fabricating signs. Thank you Michelle, I'm looking forward to doing another class in the near future. 🙂
Aaron Joines
Michelle was a great presenter, I have come away with a lot more knowledge and confidence. The course was a great balance of practical and theory while being engaging and interesting.
Amanda Cookson
Loved the bootcamp! Now looking to book the next one and have some of the team come along as well. Real world knowledge that I know I can implement straight away. Thanks Michelle.
Julie Wadman
Awesome illumination bootcamp with Michelle! Can highly recommend. Michelle knows her stuff, answered all our questions and we came away with loads of ideas.
Blair Wadman
Thank you Michelle and the team from Make It Happen Signage Academy. I've attended two Bootcamps and found them both filled with loads of important and relevant information that benefits you and our industry. It adds value, which is why I will highly recommend them. It is great to know that we can rely on a system like this is built around the signage community supporting us in our industry to make it more than just better.
Gareth Bothma
I've been in the industry for 35 years and still learnt something new. Was a great bootcamp for new beginners and for the few of us that have been in the game for years. Always great to learn about new products and how others approach doing signage.
Thanks Michelle!
Kelly Skinner
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 can offer exclusive bootcamps and in-house signage training for your team, depending on the course, location and number of attendees. Get in touch and we can talk through the best option for your business.
Will I learn how to make signs?
Our courses are designed to build practical signage knowledge, not turn you into a full sign maker in one day. You will learn how signs work, what materials and products are used, what details matter and how to make better decisions across signage projects.
Which course is best for beginners?
This is the best starting point for beginners. It is designed for people new to the sign and print industry and covers the basics of signage, print, materials, artwork, installation and terminology. The First Drill is the best starting point for beginners. It is designed for people new to the sign and print industry and covers the basics of signage, print, materials, artwork, installation and terminology.
Can the workshops be held from our own premises?
Yes, some workshops can be delivered from your own premises as in-house training. This can be a good option for Australia and New Zealand sign and print businesses that want to train a wider team at once.
Do you offer sales training for sign and print businesses?
Yes. On The Frontline is our sales and communication course for the sign and print industry. It helps customer-facing teams ask better questions, explain value, improve client conversations and sell signage with more confidence.
Can experienced professionals attend the courses?
Yes. Our courses are useful for both new and experienced professionals. Many experienced people attend as a refresher, to fill knowledge gaps, improve confidence or support team development.
Do you offer sustainability training for sign and print businesses?
Yes. Sustainability Bootcamp is designed for sign and print businesses that want to make smarter, more practical decisions around materials, waste, efficiency, brand value and client expectations.
How much do your courses cost?
Course prices can vary depending on the workshop, date, location and whether you are booking a public course or in-house training. Please check our course page to view upcoming dates and course prices.
How do I book a training course?
Visit our course page to view the available signage training courses, choose the course that suits your team and follow the booking process. If you are unsure which course is right, contact Make it Happen and we will point you in the right direction.
Can’t find the answer you’re looking for? Get in touch and we’ll help.
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We help sign and print businesses build stronger teams, improve the way they work and unlock greater commercial value from their skills and knowledge.
We care about getting things right, sharing what we know and helping you bring projects together.
