When Sidney Francis Taylor founded SF Taylor in 1926, he built the business around a simple philosophy:

“How can we help?”

At the time, Manchester’s cotton industry was thriving, and SF Taylor specialised in producing pattern cards for textile manufacturers. Wanting greater control over quality and service, Sidney Francis Taylor purchased a hand-fed Furnival Platen press — manufactured in nearby Reddish in 1904 — and brought printing in-house himself.

That decision marked the beginning of a business built on craftsmanship, independence and customer relationships.

100 years later, the world of print would likely feel unrecognisable to our founder.

From automation and AI-driven workflows to sustainable packaging, digital asset management and instant global communication, technology has transformed every aspect of the industry. Processes that once took days can now happen in minutes, and print has evolved into a far more connected, intelligent and responsive service.

But while the tools have changed, the values behind the business remain remarkably familiar.

Throughout its history, SF Taylor has continued to evolve alongside its customers’ needs. From beginning our NHS partnership in 1945 to rebuilding after the devastating Ancoats factory fire in 1982, resilience and adaptability have always been part of the company’s story.

Today, that original philosophy of “How can we help?” lives on through our modern ethos:

Believe in More

More innovation.
More creativity.
More partnership.
More sustainability.
More possibilities for our customers and our people.

Under Managing Director Simon Young’s leadership, SF Taylor has continued investing in technology, manufacturing capability and long-term partnerships, helping grow the business while staying true to the principles it was founded on a century ago.

As we celebrate 100 years of Print, People and Progress, we’re proud that Sidney Francis Taylor’s name still sits above the door — and even prouder that the values he built the business on continue to guide us today.

Because while print has transformed dramatically over the last century, what won’t change is the importance of relationships, creativity and trust.