Signs of the Times - August 2017 - 22
TECH
REVIEW
FABRICS AND
BANNER MATERIALS
Is one solution better than the other?
CHRIS & KATHI
MORRISON
own and operate The
Image Specialists, a fullservice graphics company
based in Clements, CA.
Chris is also a Microsoft-certified systems
engineer.
OU know this: Banners
are an absolute staple
of the sign industry and
they're here to stay. You
can paint, screenprint, apply cut
vinyl or digitally print banners.
Most cool is that banners can be
made from practically any flexible media, such as paper, Tyvek®
and polypropylene. Most banner
material in use today is smooth
vinyl or scrim vinyl, the latter a
polyethylene substrate reinforced
with a polyester weave that gives it
strength and durability. Both ship
in varying weights from 8 oz. and up,
with the advanced weights offering
improved strength and durability.
Now, however, we're seeing a revolution in fabric printing in that
traditional digital print machine
manufacturers are offering printers
designed to either print directly on
fabric or transfer paper for dye-sublimation because printed fabric signs,
banners and flags are a fast-growing
segment in digital printing.
Why choose one media over the
other? If cost is an issue, traditional,
cut vinyl graphic banners typically
cost less to produce, which allows
you to offer them for lower prices.
However, initial cost isn't everything,
because it's a different economy if
the banner will be shipped for use
in tradeshows or conferences. For
tradeshow-type use, fabric banners
excel. They weigh less, can be packed
into smaller packages and thus save
your client money over the long run.
No doubt, scrim-based banners are
best for most outdoor applications,
but remember that weather conditions aren't predictable, so base any
warranties on that detail.
Also, keep in mind that not all
fabrics will hold up to rain and UV
light, so be sure to select a suitable
one. Usually, manufacturers will
specify if the fabric is intended for
indoor or outdoor use, but it's good
to double check.
Another feature of fabric signs and
displays is their ability to conform
to contour surfaces and, as well, fold
for shipping or storage, but note that
scrim-type banners should be rolled,
not folded or creased.
What are the production considerations? Generally, printing on scrimbased banner material is easy, but
post production may require hemming and adding grommets, wind
SUNBRELLA FABRIC 6034
VORTEX BOLERO S225
LEXJET POLY SELECT
sunbrella.com
ultraflexx.com
Y
SUNBRELLA
22
SIGNS OF THE TIMES
AUGUST 2017
ULTRAFLEX SYSTEMS
LEXJET
lexjet.com
http://www.sunbrella.com
http://www.ultraflexx.com
http://www.lexjet.com
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Signs of the Times - August 2017
Signs of the Times - August 2017
Contents
From the Editor
St Update
At Large
Tech Review
Shop Ops
Vehicles + Vinyl
Design Matters
Nuts + Bolts
Next Generation
The 2017 National Electrical Code
Dye Trying
Strictly Electric: Under the Big Top
New Products
Advertising Index
Last Look
Signs of the Times - August 2017 - Intro
Signs of the Times - August 2017 - BB1
Signs of the Times - August 2017 - BB2
Signs of the Times - August 2017 - Signs of the Times - August 2017
Signs of the Times - August 2017 - BD_L
Signs of the Times - August 2017 - BD
Signs of the Times - August 2017 - Cover2
Signs of the Times - August 2017 - 1
Signs of the Times - August 2017 - Contents
Signs of the Times - August 2017 - 3
Signs of the Times - August 2017 - 4
Signs of the Times - August 2017 - 5
Signs of the Times - August 2017 - 6
Signs of the Times - August 2017 - 7
Signs of the Times - August 2017 - From the Editor
Signs of the Times - August 2017 - 9
Signs of the Times - August 2017 - St Update
Signs of the Times - August 2017 - 11
Signs of the Times - August 2017 - 12
Signs of the Times - August 2017 - 13
Signs of the Times - August 2017 - 14
Signs of the Times - August 2017 - 15
Signs of the Times - August 2017 - 16
Signs of the Times - August 2017 - 17
Signs of the Times - August 2017 - At Large
Signs of the Times - August 2017 - 19
Signs of the Times - August 2017 - 20
Signs of the Times - August 2017 - 21
Signs of the Times - August 2017 - Tech Review
Signs of the Times - August 2017 - 23
Signs of the Times - August 2017 - Shop Ops
Signs of the Times - August 2017 - 25
Signs of the Times - August 2017 - 26
Signs of the Times - August 2017 - 27
Signs of the Times - August 2017 - Vehicles + Vinyl
Signs of the Times - August 2017 - 29
Signs of the Times - August 2017 - Design Matters
Signs of the Times - August 2017 - 31
Signs of the Times - August 2017 - Nuts + Bolts
Signs of the Times - August 2017 - 33
Signs of the Times - August 2017 - 34
Signs of the Times - August 2017 - 35
Signs of the Times - August 2017 - 36
Signs of the Times - August 2017 - 37
Signs of the Times - August 2017 - Next Generation
Signs of the Times - August 2017 - 39
Signs of the Times - August 2017 - 40
Signs of the Times - August 2017 - 41
Signs of the Times - August 2017 - The 2017 National Electrical Code
Signs of the Times - August 2017 - 43
Signs of the Times - August 2017 - 44
Signs of the Times - August 2017 - 45
Signs of the Times - August 2017 - Dye Trying
Signs of the Times - August 2017 - 47
Signs of the Times - August 2017 - 48
Signs of the Times - August 2017 - 49
Signs of the Times - August 2017 - Strictly Electric: Under the Big Top
Signs of the Times - August 2017 - 51
Signs of the Times - August 2017 - 52
Signs of the Times - August 2017 - 53
Signs of the Times - August 2017 - New Products
Signs of the Times - August 2017 - 55
Signs of the Times - August 2017 - 56
Signs of the Times - August 2017 - 57
Signs of the Times - August 2017 - 58
Signs of the Times - August 2017 - 59
Signs of the Times - August 2017 - 60
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Signs of the Times - August 2017 - 69
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Signs of the Times - August 2017 - 71
Signs of the Times - August 2017 - 72
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Signs of the Times - August 2017 - 80
Signs of the Times - August 2017 - 81
Signs of the Times - August 2017 - 82
Signs of the Times - August 2017 - Advertising Index
Signs of the Times - August 2017 - Last Look
Signs of the Times - August 2017 - Cover3
Signs of the Times - August 2017 - Cover4
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