Fabric graphics manufacturers and suppliers look forward to market improvements in 2010. By Jeff Rasmussen Sales and profit margins for U.S. and Canadian fabric graphics suppliers and end product manufacturers have been severely squeezed in 2009. The anemic economy has been the driving force behind tight credit conditions and a significant lack of customer demand. [...]

Sunbrella® View, a light-filtering version of Sunbrella fabrics excellent for privacy screening onboard ship, is now available in Pacific Blue and Captain Navy colorways, in response to requests from customers for a version of the fabric with traditional marine colors. Sunbrella Supreme, a two-sided, waterproof fabric with a flocked underside for biminis and boat covers, [...]

The innovative PnuBurst from SDL Atlas offers the convenience of a preprogrammed unit for basic burst testing for customers who do not need the extended range of the company’s regular AutoBurst model. Economical tabletop model features a pneumatically operated diaphragm, a color touch-screen controller preprogrammed for major test protocols, and automatic bell size and clamp [...]

Unicraft Corp. has added a three-pedal, heavy-duty long arm sewing machine stand to its current line. It can be used with 25- and 30-inch long bed walking foot sewing machines, and features a newly redesigned mechanism for pedal operation: one pedal engages the motor, one lifts the machine presser foot, and one is used for [...]

The EZ Fabric Wall System from Moss Inc. combines the versatility of modular walls with the benefits of lightweight fabric structures. Sturdy, lightweight extrusion system accepts fabric as well as hard substrates, and walls can be configured to make the most of any display space. Dozens of available accessories can be attached, such as monitors, [...]

The Textures collection with Nano-tex protection, now available from Silver State Inc., has a unique finish that provides enhanced durability and cleanability, while retaining the exceptional hand of the fabric. The collection includes nine new solid patterns, with surface textural weaves such as ottoman, boucle, chenille, tweed and herringbone. The Nano-tex high-performance finish builds permanent [...]

Model 7240IJO rotary drum heat transfer machine for digital dye-sub printing of fabric up to 40 inches wide prints approximately 3 linear feet per minute at a 40-second dwell time, and features a new oil-heated drum specifically designed to meet the increasing demand for high-quality dye sublimation transfer technology. Multiple safety systems, high-quality electronic components [...]

Problem: Fabricators need a printer with the ability to handle a variety of job sizes and fabric types. Solution: The UJET Mc3-Premium textile printer from Converd handles large and small projects from samples and proofs to 500-yard runs. Efficient and user-friendly, its advanced inter-weaving technology eliminates banding, and its fabric handling system makes it easy [...]

Problem: Fire- and water- repellent fabric finishes may compromise on softness and comfort. Solution: DowCorning® is now offering DS-9000 Eco Repel™, an eco-friendly multifunctional encapsulated silicone additive for technical textiles. Jointly developed with DEVAN Chemicals, this technology allows apparel manufacturers to increase softness and hydrophobicity on existing flame-retardant finishes without impacting flame retardancy. Applications may [...]

Problem: Lightweight, transparent media may not offer the strength and imaging capabilities required for some applications. Solution: New Pure Color™ Apollo Flag™ from Neschen® is engineered to be both sturdy and lightweight, allowing for the creation of dramatic messaging. A specialty coating delivers photo realistic imaging with a wide color gamut, fast dry time, and [...]