Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/827403
S I G N & D I G I T A L G R A P H I C S • June 2017 • 45 "Our entry level SK-Highlead GC20518-PUL machine is a simple double needle sewing workstation that allows for virtually all banner finishing operations to be done economically with a small investment. For customers requir- ing larger scale sewing capabilities, we can offer the Miller Weldmaster Digitran, a complete digital transport sewing sys- tem for high-volume production with a variety of automation options," he says. Kaplan adds that one popular applica- tion that their customers are asking for is the sewing of a silicone rubber edge onto printed material for display applica- tions, also know as silicon-edge graph- ics. "Both the simpler manual machines and the automated Digitran system can be equipped for SEG sewing, greatly increasing production flexibility," he concludes. Standing Out Compton reports that their clients are always looking for new substrates to differentiate themselves from their com- petition. "At Top Value Fabrics we pride ourselves on bringing the newest, most innovative print media to the banner dis- play market. Some of these include our DigiPanorama, DigiCompetition and Midnight Blockout." He says that DigiPanorama was cre- ated specifically for the latex print market with their proprietary coating to enhance scratch and scuff resistance of latex inks providing the printer with a finished product off the printer that doesn't require the extra steps and cost of heat pressing, transfer paper and tissue paper. "Our new DigiCompetition is a lightweight knit polyester that provides outstanding color consistency and image sharpness as well as wrinkle resistance for printers requiring a high performance yet competitive banner display product. Midnight Blockout is a knit polyester engineered with a durable black back to insure opacity for applications that require blockout providing outstanding color consistency, image sharpness and a wide color range. This fabric as well as our additional banner display fabrics fit a wide variety of banner display applica- tions," he explains. He adds it is also important that the printer work with their trusted print media vendor to choose the substrate that provides the optimal finished prod- uct for their clients. Planet Tradeshow Takes Banners to New Heights Compton says one of their cutting edge customers in this area is Planet Tradeshow, a digital dye sublimation firm based in Ball Ground, Georgia, that spe- cializes in fabric printing. "We currently produce point of purchase materials for the bedding, banking, retail, and trade- show industries," explains Jared Hager, project manager at Planet Tradeshow. "We have printed on a variety of Top Value Fabrics print media including Midnight Blockout for roll-up ban- ners stands and framed wall displays, DigiCompetition for banner displays, DigiHeavy for multipurpose banners and Supernova for backlit displays. All of the product prints and provides our clients with the highest quality and per- formance." Hager says they are also seeing a huge increase in backlit and non backlit sili- cone-edge graphics. "With recent price reductions, what was once available to large corporations has become afford- able to end users. Whether permanently mounted extruded aluminum frames, large extruded trade show displays or the new more modular and portable pop up SEG, these frames offer a clean, modern, fantastic way to stand out from the com- petition," he adds. Freeman sums it up by saying the mar- ket for banners is still on the rise com- pared to other markets because they are so simple and they are still very afford- able. "People will be buying banners until the end of time because they are still the most economical way to get your message out there," he concludes. SDG