Fabric graphics, soft signage, fabric prints, dye sublimation printed fabric, tension fabric, tensile fabric, SEG fabric, pillowcase graphics, what’s it all about?  These terms all describe what it means to take a digital image and print a fabric graphic, ready for display.  The fabric graphic can displayed in a myriad of different ways, depending on the intended use. These methods stretch the fabric by using pole pockets at each end, or by using SEG which is a silicone edge sewn into the perimeter to the fabric, or by being made essentially into a pillow case which zips or velcros on one open end. These tensile fabric graphics are used in a variety of industries such as airport advertising, museum graphics, retail displays, interior design for the built-environment or for homes. It is found in places which require a large format image to cover perhaps a wall panel or even an entire wall. In larger metropolitan areas, you may have seen them being used for building wraps for the fashion industry, and sometimes even to disguise a building under construction. Fabric mesh weaves are often used for outdoor fabric graphics because it allows the wind to pass through, keeping the graphic from becoming a “sail” which would pull away from a building. Its wise to consider all surrounding factors when displaying outdoors.

Airports in Europe and the U.S. have been using them for grand scale advertising images. In airports you may have seen them backlit. They function as both a reflective print or as a transparency, which is beyond what the old duratrans could do. When the old duratrans were not backlit, they were dark, murky, and not functioning as a reflective print. Fabric graphics backlit is a wonderful new and improved solution!

The trade show industry have embraced fabric graphics because of their extreme portability and design opportunities. Non-geometric, floating shapes, suspended above displays, are fabulous for drawing attention to your exhibit space. Bold, saturate colors and sharp imaging are characteristic of fabric graphics. They require no protective outer layer, and many of the simple hardware kits allow you to set them up in a matter of minutes. With those kits, you can put up and tear down by yourself, and leave the exhibit hall with display-in-hand.

Interior designers love them because short custom runs are easily accessible, no longer do they have to commit to bolts of expensive custom printed fabric. With digital fabric printing so available, they do not need to compromise their vision in order to attain that fully custom look. Turnaround times are often faster and production costs lower. The only limitation is that the fabric must be a polyester or poly-blend. Why you might ask? It is because the characteristics of polyester fabric allow it to open up and almost melt, which makes it very receptive to the dyes being gassed into the fibers.

A noteworthy feature is that the polyester fabric is available from recycled materials. Polyester fabrics can come in a variety of weights and weaves. And when it comes to environmental-friendly features, you need to know the dyes used are water-based in this process called ” dye sublimation transfer fabric printing.” The image is printed by a large inkjet printer onto transfer paper. The equipment which transfers the image from the paper onto fabric is a fabric heat press, which heats up to 400 degrees and has pressurized rollers. The paper and fabric sandwich is rolled out with heat compression. The fibers open up to almost melting at this temperature and accept the gassed inks into the fibers. When the fibers cool, they actually encapsulate the dyes permanently; making it a washable fabric graphic.

There are no VOC’s with this process because the dyes are not solvent-based. The final fabric image or display  is a lightweight solution when you compare it to the older methods of print display. Its not a sandwich under glass, you don’t have to have concerns about dog-earring the edges of a print. Its a durable product which wears well for interior displays, and has a shorter term shelf life of about 3 months when displayed outdoors. Overall it leaves a smaller carbon footprint because its lighter weight (no glass/substrate sandwich), potentially using lighter weight recyclable aluminum structures, taking less fuel to transport not-to-mention, lowering your expenses. Fabric graphics durability and longevity, and is a worthwhile investment. Graphics using SEG can be easily interchanged as needed, and so simple that no special installation experts are needed for the exchange. The fabric graphic can be cold water washed or dry cleaned, just remember to use the lowest temperature settings.

Fabric graphics are most frequently used for flags and banners, backdrops, background walls and more. If you are interesting in trying fabric graphics or tension graphics for your next project or if you have questions about fabric graphics, call @ 1800-829-4562.