Fawcett values employee relations

March 1, 2010  |  Features, Management, Perspective

Craig Fawcett builds up a business by building up the staff. By Sigrid Tornquist “Skills can be taught, but you either have character or you don’t. When you find an employee with character and work ethic, those people are your golden people—people you’ll do anything to build up,” says Crai…
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Textile opportunities in advertising

February 26, 2010  |  Features, Graphics

Textiles provide options that let your customer’s advertisements stand out. By Gail Nickel-Kailing To quote Dickens, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…” The 18-month period from mid-2008 to the end of 2009 was one of the most challenging times that many pri…
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Matching inks to fabrics

February 26, 2010  |  Features, Graphics

How to match inks to fabrics to ensure that your textile prints look beautiful and your colors won’t wash off. By Michael Labella Ever since the dawn of time, humans have been searching for colorants that would allow them to apply images to any type of surface, that would last forever and that…
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Finishing options for fabric projects

February 26, 2010  |  Features, Graphics

Knowing finishing equipment and procedures for fabric end products helps finish the sale. By Andrea Swensson As most professionals in the fabric graphics industry are aware, a project involving printable fabrics almost always extends beyond the printing procedure. Edges need to be hemmed, pockets ne…
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Kelly blends art and architecture to produce fabric sculptures

February 1, 2010  |  Features, Management, Perspective

Maureen Kelly draws on her tenacity and talent to create one-of-a-kind fabric sculptures. By Sigrid Tornquist “I never thought I couldn’t work in a space 200 feet tall,” says Maureen Kelly, owner of The Design Loft (TDL) in St. Louis, Mo. “I always thought there would be a way to construct t…
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2010 State of the industry

February 1, 2010  |  Features, Management, Markets

A reset economy changes the business of specialty fabrics in the U.S. Like the U.S. automobile market, the depressed economy has reset the size, shape and growth of the specialty fabrics industry from top to bottom, throughout all market segments. As a result, there are fewer significant suppliers a…
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A global look at nanomaterials

February 1, 2010  |  Business, Features

Research and regulations on the environmental and safety issues of nanomaterials: a global approach. By Janice Kleinschmidt Nanotechnology data is growing exponentially as universities and industries around the world research and develop products with specific performance attributes (liquid, dirt an…
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Custom transportation upholstery offers profitable opportunities

February 1, 2010  |  Features, Markets, Upholstery

By air, land or sea, capture demand with quality and creativity. By Abbie Yarger In a world of mass production and one-size-fits-all, the factory-made box isn’t suitable for everyone. People are constantly transforming themselves or the things they own to stand out from the masses and make a l…
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Intelligent shading helps save energy

January 1, 2010  |  Awnings & Canopies, Business, Features

Shade structure and awning manufacturers are making shade pay for customers. By Holly O’Dell The importance of green technology is growing, with many industries finding new ways to integrate sustainable techniques into their products and services. Awning and shade structure manufacturers and f…
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Outsourcing as part of a growth strategy

January 1, 2010  |  Business, Features, Management

Is the best way to do business still all under your own roof? By Marc Hequet Outsource your website? Probably. Your bookkeeping? Maybe. Printing of logos on your fabric? Hmmm. It’s possible. But should you outsource the stuff you do best? Never say never. These are interesting times. Manufactu…
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