The Society of Graphical and Allied Trades (SOGAT) was formed in 1972 after the breakdown of the attempted amalgamation process between the National Union of Printing, Bookbinding and Paper Workers and the National Society of Operative Printers and Assistants. These two trade unions had joined together under an umbrella organisation called the Society of Graphical and Allied Trades in 1966. The National Union of Printing, Bookbinding and Paper Workers became SOGAT Division A and the National Society of Operative Printers and Assistants became SOGAT Division 1. The aim was to achieve a complete merger over time but differences led to in-fighting and in 1972 the two divisions split, Division A retaining the name Society of Graphical and Allied Trades.

In 1975, SOGAT amalgamated with the Scottish Graphical Association to form the Society of Graphical and Allied Trades 1975 (SOGAT '75). In 1982, it amalgamated with the National Society of Operative Printers, Graphical and Media Personnel to form the Society of Graphical and Allied Trades 1982 (SOGAT '82). However, it usually continued to be known only as SOGAT. In 1991, it amalgamated with the National Graphical Association (NGA) to form the Graphical, Paper and Media Union (GPMU).

Convalescent home admissions

The union ran a convalescent home at Bexhill. The Modern Records Centre holds admissions registers for men (MSS.39/SO/6/CH/10) and women (MSS.39/SO/6/CH/12), which run until the home's closure in September 1983. Members are listed by date of admission and the information includes name, branch, address, date of leaving, weight on admission and leaving, and brief notes on the nature of the patient's condition. These registers are indexed by name.

Note that there are no details of admissions to the union's other two convalescent homes at Filey and Ayr.