New members of Fabric Graphcis Association

Graphcom Inc,  Gettsysburg, PA, www.graphcom.com

Fibermark North America Inc. West Springfield, MA www.fibermark.com

Reseni LLC Kennesaw, GA http://www.resenicorp.com 

Brilliant Graphics Pittsfield, MA www.brilliantgraphics.com

FGA Board Member, Rich Thompson, AdGraphics president has been announced as the World Print Champion for the Fespa Hall of Fame 2012, fending off competition from 400 printers worldwide. The awards which were designed to recognize “the leading lights of the wide format print community” received 6,000 votes stemming from 40 countries.  Thompson, from Miami-based AdGraphics, triumphed in this year’s awards, followed by Kishore Musale of Classic Stripes in India and Birol Fedai of Turkey’s Sistem Printing. 

 

Fabric Graphics Webinar 

Fabric Graphics Association members presented to industry a webinar, Flammability Standards for Fabric Graphics Applications.  Jon Weingarten , Dazian Fabrics and Mike VonWachenfeldt , Glen Raven Technical Fabrics organized the program.  Juli Case , IFAI Information Central and Nora Norby Banner Creations also participated.  The webinar discussed FR Codes relating to textiles and flammability.  The goal was for attendees to understand how to keep your clients and your projects from being challenged by fire marshals and other regulatory agencies.  The following codes were presented:  NFPA 701, NFPA 265, NFPA 705 Field Test, ASTM E84, ULC S109-03 and CSFM Title 19.   The challenge of inks applied to fabric and status of FR was a Q&A topic.  The presentation was recorded and can be found at http://cc.readytalk.com/play?id=35vh1t

Fisher Textiles Names Scott Fisher as New President.  Fisher Textiles, one of the leading suppliers of fabrics for digital printing, has named Scott Fischer as its new president.  He will be the second generaton to assume leadership of the family owned and operated buisnes that was founded in 1958 by Larry Fisher.  Scott holds a bachelor's degree in Business Management from North Carolina State University.  He joined Fisher Textiles in 1984 assuming the role of Vice President of Marketing and Sales.  He succeeds Lary Fisher, who after more than two decades as president of Fisher Textiles will now be serving as CEO.  Fisher TExtiles was established in 1958 and has been at the forefront of providing fabric solutions to the digital printing industry, offering fabrics for dye sublimation, UV, latex and direct digital printing.  Fisher Textiles is a proud member of the Fabric Graphics Association.

2011 State of the Industry
Slower and gradual growth has become the norm in the reset specialty fabrics industry.

Jobs and Credit for Small Businesses
The lending fund is only a temporary fix, but it can offer some useful options

Fabric Graphics represents a wide range of resources. Articles are listed below regarding these Facets of the industry.

Ink

New Inks Allow Versatile Printing
Ink manufacturers are delivering a variety of products to meet the increasing demand for textile printing.

Equipment

Printer Maintenance
This article discusses points from the recommended use and maintenance of a Mimaki JV5-320DS Textile Printer.

Ensure Quality With Equipment Maintenance
Maintaining equipment isn't glamorous, but it's essential to keeping your business running and it shows in the quality of your work.

Fabric

Nanotechnology: It's Getting Bigger
Breaking the barriers to accepting, and selling, nano innovations in specialty fabrics markets

Architectural Fabric Wraps Buildings on Luminous Screen
Lights linked to mesh building skins can grab attention. 

Go Green for the Good of your Business
Recycling and repurposing fabric will bring the satisfaction of doing what's right - and boost your bottom line.

"Durable" Nonwoven Fabrics
Micro-denier nonwovens hold the key to the success of future technical applications

Creating the Future of Textiles Part I
Moisture-barrier properties in fabrics and sustainability concerns top one expert's list of important industry developments.
Part II
Part III
Part IV
Part V

Remake Spaces with Fabric Flair
"Space Articulation" with fabric adds design flair with practical appeal

Process

Common Problem: Printable Fire Retardancy
Printing may cause fabrics to lose their flame retardancy if the fireproofing agent does not ensure flame retardancy for inks added during printing.
New Solution: Mediatex signage fabrics, Troja, Bermuda, Air and Presto from Stick-On Signs retain their fire retardancy after printing. These Fabrics meet B1 German Certification, in accordance with standards accepted throughout Europe.

Making Sense of Sustainable Printing
Printing choices that are sensitive to the environment are also good for business.

Innovation

Common Problem: Self-Contained Signage
Indoor banners and signage may require time-consuming installation.
New Solution: The Indoor FlexBlade® advertising banner is a cost-effective, high quality, durable signage product that comes complete with a self-contained stand for simple and speedy set-up, take-down, transport and storage. Reusable and available as a single or double-sided digital print, or in a screenprinted version.

 From Waste Banners to Wow Bags
Two Colombian architects made a junked event banner into a one-of-a-kind bag.

New Fabric Compatible with Sublimation Transfer and UV Cure Printing
Aurora has added Triple White FR to its Northern Lights Printable Textiles™ line of fabrics.

People

Maureen Kelly
Kelly draws on her tenacity and talent to create one of a kind fabric sculptures

Frey Joins Moss R & D

When Moss Inc. acquired Nichols Inc in 2006, it also hired Bob Frey, Nichols' manager and co-owner. In April, Frey was promoted to executive vice president for research and development at Moss, after developing new products for the tensioned fabric structure manufacturer, including the Moss Groove Light Box.

Lisa Humrich Joins Oracal USA

Oracal USA has promoted Lisa Humrich to the newly created position of marketing manager. Humrich will lead the marketing staff and oversee the development and management of the company's marketing strategies for its broad line of premium graphic marking films and digital printing media throughout the U.S., Canada, Latin American and the Caribbean.

Member companies in the news:   Strong businesses, strong communities.  When small businesses give of their time and resources to build better communities, everyone profits.  Comments from Fabric Images,and TCT&A  http://specialtyfabricsreview.com/articles/0411_f2_strong_business.html