Fabric Graphics Association

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Textile & Graphics Student Design Challenge Winners Announced - June 2006

The winning entry in the 1^st Annual Textiles and Graphics Student Design Challenge was designed by Ashley Crispino, a student at Eastern Connecticut Statue University –Visual Arts Department in Willimantic, Conn. Amy is a student of June Bisantz-Evans, a professor of digital art and design at the university. She is a digital artist who creates images for outdoor installation on billboards, banners and public transit.

The Textiles and Graphics Student Design Challenge is a unique opportunity for students who are interested in the study of textiles, graphics and design to be recognized by the textile and graphics industry. Participants gain knowledge about fabric as a printing medium, have the opportunity to demonstrate skills in designing creative elements and form partnerships with industry during project fabrication. Participating secondary colleges and universities were assigned a “Partner in Industry" who committed time, talents and resources. The Partners in Industry guided the student through the types of graphic applications and provided graphic and textile options. Direction was provided to the student in preparing the artwork in the correct format for fabrication. Students were provided with a strike-off of the artwork for voting purposes and fabricate the winning entry for display at IFAI Expo 2006 in Atlanta.

Amy created a banner design that consists of a bright and colorful assemblage of images full of textures. Her design reflects the diversity of industrial fabrics of today. Instead of focusing on one fabric type, Amy selected nine different technical fabrics. Each fabric featured in her design had a unique texture. The second characteristic was color selection from each of the main color categories. The bright colors helped to make the black logo stand out.

Amy stated, “I choose to do my strike-off on a thick, very moveable fabric. The colors popped on this fabric. During the process of creating this banner entry, I was able to learn a great deal about the output of banners and how to work with a professional agency, like that of our Partner in Industry."

The second place design recipient was Alan Bock, also a student at Eastern Connecticut State University in the visual arts/graphic design program. His entry was a compilation of the industrial use of fabric and motion. The design conveyed a sense of motion with fabric and the sense of structure. Alan selected the abbreviated date, 07 to attract attention and the use of the IFAI Expo logo itself. The third part of his design was the use of the orange fabric-like texture. Seeing that the eyes naturally read from the top left corner down, he positioned the fabric so that it would bring your eyes down the banner quickly to the 07 and the IFAI logo. The fabric itself makes the logo pop-up by bubbling up. The fourth and final element of the banner is the white area. It uses an arc to create movement.

The third place design recipient was Jon Seykora, a student at Bemidji State University and a student of Dr. Phil Age. Jon used the theme, “Interweaving the future with imagination." for his colorful abstract designed banner.

The fourth place design recipient was Shanda West, a student at Eastern Connecticut State University. She submitted an abstract representation of shapes and forms that can be created using different fabrics. Shanda stated, “Through this process I have learned about the great scale and drama that cloth structures, banners and accents can achieve. Fabric is highly manipulative and a striking medium."

A thank you to the partners in industry for this years challenge. They include Moss Inc., OIA Products, Fabric Images, Banner Creations, TCT&A, and Testrite Instruments. Participating Partners in Industry have stated the level of artwork submitted by the students “was in the best received by the company’s production department." Fabricators have offered internships to students and perhaps gained knowledgeable employees. The 2^nd Annual Textile and Graphics Student Design Challenge will be offered to post high school colleges and universities offering a program in graphics and design. For additional information on becoming a partner in industry or having your school participate, contact \n This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it href="mailto: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it "> This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Banner, Flag & Graphics Association (BFGA) Update-May 2006

Name Change Approved
Bart Read, Chairman of BFGA is pleased to announce the results of recent balloting for the association name change. The ballots were sent to all member companies and the results have been tabulated. The name change is now official. Welcome to the Fabric Graphics Association!

Group focuses on fabric and graphics
The name change opens up the door for additional members and our customers who can count on us for technical information about the uses of fabrics and graphics. There are a number of specialty organizations focusing on printing on paper and other media including fabric. We need to use our new name to drive further development of the printed fabric market.

The organization people turn to when looking for someone who works with graphics and fabrics
Fabric Graphics Association is more inclusive allowing us to support the various non-digital graphics we have supported in the past and broadens our base to the numerous companies who did not relate to Banner and Flag Division.

Thank you for your support of this decision
We are in the process of designing a new logo and continue to develop Textile & Graphics Symposium 06 being held October 31, 2006, Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, Georgia as a part of IFAI Expo. If you have questions, please do not hesitate to e-mail Jan Schieffer, Managing Director at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or myself This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

FGA Mission:
To foster and serve the fabric and graphics industries by being the one stop source for market applications to fabric.

FGA Objectives:

To advance and promote the industry
To assist members in the promotion of their businesses
To provide educational programs to increase industry knowledge of technology, techniques, materials, standards, regulations and markets
To seek relationships with other organizations serving the markets
To identify issues of common concern and take a proactive role in implementing and seeking solutions for those concerns

Current Projects;
Textiles and Graphics Symposium 06 – Why Attend PDF Attachment

www.ifaiexpo.info

Student Design Challenge: Over 30 entries from universities, colleges, tech schools promoting IFAI Expo 2006. Member companies educated graphic students on fabric as the medium.

www.bannerflag.com

Guide to Fabric Substrates for Digital Printing
Suppliers of fabrics have the opportunity to list products. Publication will be distributed in IFAI Review publication.

Regards,
Jan Schieffer
Managing Director
+1 651-225-6944
800-636-5065

Textiles & Graphics Symposium at IFAI Expo 2006
The Textiles & Graphics Symposium is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2006, during IFAI Expo 2006 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Ga. The symposium is organized by the Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI) and the Banner, Flag & Graphics Association, a division of IFAI.

A Call for Presentations has been issued for professionals interested in presenting case studies for both indoor and outdoor applications, new fabrics, and new equipment during the Textiles & Graphics Symposium. Acceptance of proposals will be based on originality and timeliness of the topic, how well the topic contributes to advancing the textiles and graphics industry, and how relevant and interesting the subject matter is to the audience. Accepted speakers are recognized in a multitude of promotional materials including IFAI magazines, print brochures, Web sites, and electronic news. Interested speakers must submit presentation proposals by March 15, 2006 at the IFAI Expo 2006 Education Web site: www.ifaiexpo.info.

Bart Read, Vice President of Operations, Moss, Inc. and Banner, Flag & Graphics Association Expo Committee Chairman stated, “This symposium, planned by the Banner, Flag & Graphics Association division members, should be a part of every registrant’s schedule. The Textiles & Graphics Symposium will bring together leading fabric printers, fabric producers, printer and ink producers, and print buyers. This event is specifically designed around printing on fabrics for indoor and outdoor use. The symposium will bring together many of the diverse users of fabric printing to share their experiences. The conference is set up to maximize the networking opportunities between participants. The contact with peers will be as valuable as the course content. Case studies and panel discussions can lead to problem solving with the experts presenting the session. Join us to grow your bottom line.”

The Textile & Graphics Symposium will offer prime networking opportunities as well as access to more than 500 exhibitors during the IFAI Expo 2006 trade show, Oct. 31-Nov. 2, 2006. The event will mark the first time IFAI has collaborated with the American Textile Machinery Exhibition International (ATME-I) trade show and the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) annual meeting to create MEGATEX, an extraordinary event for the specialty fabric and textile industry.

MEGATEX has been designated an International Buyer Program (IBP) by the U.S. Department of Commerce for 2006. This prestigious IBP designation is given to only 50 key trade shows in the United States each year. MEGATEX will bring thousands of manufacturers, suppliers, engineers, architects, designers, technical researchers and business leaders under one roof. The events will be held in conjunction with one another, but will remain separate so as to keep the individual focus of each. The synergy created by bringing these three events together in the heartland of the U.S. textile industry is an extraordinary opportunity for both attendees and exhibitors.

IFAI Expo 2006 will feature eight special symposiums including Architectural Structures (medium to large), Automotive Materials, Small Architectural Structures, Marine Fabrication, Medical Textiles, Sewing & Welding, Textiles & Graphics and the 5^th International Conference on Safety & Protective Fabrics.

For more information about the Textiles & Graphics Symposium or IFAI Expo 2007, please contact Deb Stender, IFAI, 1801 County Road B West, Roseville, MN 55113. Phone +1 (651) 225-6940 or 800-225-4324, fax +1 (651) 631-9334, e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Banner Events. A collection of applications of flags and banners.

N E W S R E L E A S E

The 2006 Guide to Fabric Substrates included in Fabric Architecture
Click on "Feature Articles" on the left to download a copy of Guide.

(Roseville, Minn. – Dec. 5, 2005) – The most comprehensive substrate guide has been published as part of the annual Fabric Architecture Product Profiles and Directory. Presented by the Banner, Flag & Graphics Association (BFGA), a division of the Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI), this 2006 Guide to Fabric Substrates for Digital Printing is an answer to requests from BFGA members.

“The textile and graphics printers have told us how difficult it is to determine which substrates have all the qualities necessary to make outstanding digital prints," commented Jan Schieffer, Managing Director of BFGA. “You must consider widths, ink receptivity, finishes and coatings, durability and fire resistant ratings, and that’s just the beginning."

IFAI has collected essential data on 240 products from 42 countries to assist digital printers make those comparisons and explore options. The guide is organized by printer type and ink type. Additional categories include construction/finish, durability, aesthetics and applications.

To obtain a copy of the 2006 Guide to Fabric Substrates for Digital Printing, contact Barbara Connett, IFAI Bookstore Manager, at 800 225 4324, +1 651 225 6913; e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it To order online, visit www.bookstore.ifai.com or visit www.bannerflag.com for an online version of the publication.

The mission of the Banner, Flag and Graphics Association is to foster the growth and development of the textiles and graphics industry to the benefit of its members.

The Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI) is a not-for-profit trade association whose member companies represent the international specialty fabrics marketplace. IFAI is the largest, most comprehensive trade association serving this industry, and provides many products, services and programs through its magazines, bookstore, information services and conferences. For more information about IFAI, please visit www.ifai.com.

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