Specialty Fabrics Review March 2021 - 50

[ MARKETS ] INDUSTRY IN FOCUS

Architects are
sometimes still
reluctant to use printed
textile for permanent
applications. Now that
it is becoming more
and more known that
we can give a 10-year
guarantee, we also
see that the demand is
increasing enormously.
Steven Huisman
Printable Industrial Canvas

in textile architecture and in the leisure
and events sector. Printable Industrial
Canvas also partners with many U.S.based companies to create special
projects when their customers require
a long-term warranty.
The pandemic has created
additional opportunities as companies
look to adapt their spaces. Fabric
graphics signage and space partitions
are a useful tool in encouraging social
distancing, Kilmer says.
" This approach offers clear
advantages over rigid substrates, " he
says. " They can be rolled or folded for
shipping with a lightweight aluminum
extruded frame included. While
many PSPs [print service providers]
turn to direct printing on Coroplast®
or acrylic, the fabric graphics offer a
softer, classier look and feel. "

Growth markets
As the world hopes to move past many
of the pandemic challenges in 2021,
Huisman notes several parts of the
market that offer opportunity for growth.

This project for the International Mission Board uses reflective dye-sublimation
fabric prints on a low-profile frame. Photo: PWG.

48 SPECIALTY FABRICS REVIEW / March 2021

Most notable is the textile architecture
segment, such as fabric facades, canopies
and other tensile structures.
Printable Industrial Canvas'
proprietary production process
allows it to offer an unlimited
10-year warranty on color retention,
adhesion of ink and lacquer, dirtrepellent properties and craquelé.
This makes the product more attractive
to architects concerned about the
potential short life of the printing.
" Architects are sometimes still
reluctant to use printed textile for
permanent applications, " he says.
" Now that it is becoming more and
more known that we can give a 10-year
guarantee, we also see that the demand
is increasing enormously. It is and
remains a niche, but with considerable
growth prospects. "
Other opportunities include the
fields of printed wall coverings and
furniture upholstery.
" At first glance, these markets
are reasonably saturated, but our
coating can realize a new range of
'heavy duty' print products that lend
themselves well to, for example, project
furnishing, " Huisman says.
Products such as printed imitation
leather or wall coverings with Printable
Industrial Canvas' unique coating
become extra wear-resistant and easy
to clean. This makes them ideal for
high-traffic applications like hotels,
hospitals and schools, he adds.
PWG also expects to see growth in
fabrics for commercial spaces after the
pandemic ends, Kilmer says, as more
clients realize the benefits.
" With indoor use, dye-sublimation
fabric graphics last virtually forever
unless installed in direct sunlight, " he
says. " Typically, the graphics outlast
the marketing message. One big
advantage of fabric graphics over other
options such as wallpaper substrates
Specialty Fabrics Review March 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Specialty Fabrics Review March 2021
