Considering switching over to using fabric graphics for your next trade show display? Fabric graphics have so many pluses: they’re lightweight. They offer you more real estate for images because there is less visible framing. They offer high impact because the graphics pop with great color saturation and sharpness. They have more of an active presence in your space because there is no glass barrier between you and the image. They provide a warmer, snappier presence in your space than the traditional carpet panel booths with stick-on graphics.

Advantages of  fabric graphics are they are eco-friendly, lightweight, have great color saturation, durable, low maintenance, and longevity. And practically speaking…

• they take up very little room for storage
• require no special management
• they fold up like linens
• are easy-breezy to care for, no worries of travel damage, no dog ears
• they can be laundered using mild detergent, cold water temperatures, and air dry
• they can be steamed or ironed at low temperature

Image file requirements are based on viewing distance. Most trade show exhibits are viewed from across the exhibit hall and as close as five to six feet away. This requires image files with a minimum of 120 to 150 DPI at 100% of the final output size.

Types of fabric available for trade show use are heavy knits, mesh, sheers, and everything in-between.What you need to consider are the surrounding conditions of your space within the exhibit hall. Remember when trade show exhibits are being set up, the dim house lights are low and only sufficient enough for the task of set up. This type of lighting keeps the show house cool while workers are setting up, however, this is not the what it looks like when the lights are on full.  Imagine what happens when each booth turns on their bright, directional light sources in addition to the full-on house lights. There is an ambient light explosion! With fabric graphics, you don’t need to worry about dealing with reflections abound, as there is no glass over your graphic any longer when its fabric. The typical choice for most trade show exhibits is the six ounce heavy knit polyester fabric. I mention polyester because it is the fabric or a blend, there of, which is most receptive to the inks being gassed into their very fibers. With dye sublimation transfer printing for these fabric graphics, the fabric is heated up to a near melting point where its fibers open up to encapsulate the dyes once its cooled back down.

If your booth corners two sides, you will likely desire your fabric graphics to be printed on both sides. You may need a fabric liner behind your graphic if there will be intense light being transmitted from behind it. But if your booth is up against a wall, this will not be necessary. If you want your fabric graphic to function both as a backlit fabric graphic and  reflective print, you’ll need a diffusion panel behind the fabric image.

Display structures are the different types of exhibit from which to choose for fabric graphics. Each structure functions differently and affect how you will skin your booth.  There are custom builds and “off-the-shelf “kits available for fabric graphics. Here are some of the common kits:

1. Hop Up, which comes in linear or curved. It is an expandable accordian structure which locks.The fabric graphic remains attached at all times with velcro, and this structure can be set up in 2-5 minutes, literally.
2. Smart Wall, is a basic eight by ten feet with two small foot supports. The fabric requires a flat, silicone gasket sewn into the edge. This linear structure is made with lightweight recyclable aluminum.
3. Wave Booth, this structure made with aluminum tubing with the click sprockets for a telescopic expansion. A pillowcase graphic is stretched over top of this structure.

Hanging options for fabric graphics on a custom display. When ordering a custom design, there may be a variety of methods required for stretching your fabric graphic. Here are four possibilities for hanging your fabric graphics on a custom design:

1. Velcro Perimeter, means the hook and loop are mounted to the aluminum extrusion
2. Bubble Gasket, using an extrusion which has a channel, the bubble mount gets compressed into the channel
3. Pole Pocket, like it sounds, a pocket is sewn at the top and bottom, which serves to stretch the fabric graphic
4. Flat Silicone Gasket, sewn into the perimeter of the fabric graphics, and glides into a special SEG extrusion

Do you have more questions about fabric graphics and trade show displays? Call 1800.829.4562