Exhibition Fabrics – What are you waiting for

In the exhibition sector there is a revolution-taking place that has been fuelled by a combination of factors and in particular the choice of fabrics. Advances in fabric pre-treatments and characteristics have lead to this revolution. As pre-treatments such as Brook-7 have advanced the print results possible are now stunning. Exhibition fabrics and advanced better inks

If you walked through an exhibition hall 10-years ago you would have seen very few examples of exhibition stands deploying fabrics as part of the stands structure and in particular as wall sections. Today it’s a very different story. At any major exhibition you can now see what can only be described as superb examples of stands that now use fabrics in their construction. In fact fabric now forms a major elements in a stands design and construction.

Aluminium extruded profiles have become more sophisticated meaning that truly challenging designs are now possible in stand design. These profiles enable fabric sections and panels to be effortlessly slid into the profiles by virtue of the Kader edging sewn to the fabric panels. Curved wall sections are commonplace and round hanging features suspended from ceilings are also evident.

Print companies recognise the advantages of printing and using exhibition fabrics as they complete demanding design projects for their Clients. Clients’ range from massive blue chip companies to SME’s although their requirements are much the same. They want a stunning and remarkable stand to make a major impact when they exhibit. This means they want fabric elements in the design of their stands.

Laser cutting of polyester fabrics means that fabric panels can be accurately cut ready for further finishing and fabrication. Even relatively simple hanging banners can be laser cut negating the need to hem and sew raw edges that can be slow and expensive. In fact laser cut edges look superb and it is possible to cut the lightest fabrics up to the heaviest with this technology. The final fused edge gives excellent durability to.

With transport costs predicted to continue to rise in the future exhibitors need to look at ways of reducing their transportation costs. This is even the case for SME’s that may only exhibit domestically let alone blue chip companies that exhibit globally this issue is the same. Transport costs are a major consideration and will continue to rise. Fabrics are often lighter, less bulky, easily packed meaning transport costs can be minimised.

The durability of exhibition fabrics means that in transportation and during an exhibition any damage that may occur as result is minimal. This is especially the case when compared to non-flexible, easily damaged, bulky and uninspiring materials that have traditionally been used in the exhibition sector.

The choice of fabrics available, with many flame retardant, means that different effects are possible. Whether its translucence or opacity, natural looking canvases, highly lustrous or matt all types of effects are all real possibilities. With such advances happening in the field of digital print can you afford to miss the revolution in exhibition fabrics?

Article by Chris Drury