Shade sails offer aesthetic and functional appeal

December 1, 2009  |  Awnings & Canopies, Features

Shade sails expand architectural aesthetics and functional fashion. By Holly O’Dell Whether it’s the need to provide UV protection for schoolchildren or outdoor shopping plazas looking to offer extra attractions for their customers, the need for healthful, comfortable shade continually increases…
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How green is your supply chain?

December 1, 2009  |  Business, Features

Strong, sustainable performance management strategies create links among like-minded businesses—and with your customers. By Don Carli If your company isn’t planning to address greening your supply chain this year, you may want to rethink your plan. More likely than not, your customers, y…
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Welander solves design problems for fabric structures

December 1, 2009  |  Features, Management, Perspective

Mark Welander uses his penchant for simplicity and accuracy to solve fabrication dilemmas. By Sigrid Tornquist “When you’re trying to get information, try to find the bull’s-eye,” says Mark Welander, MFC, owner of Fabricon in Missoula, Mont. “You need to have accuracy and good information …
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Turn awnings into eye-catching signage

November 1, 2009  |  Features, Graphics

Use the latest digital graphics innovations to turn your awnings into eye-catching signage. By Sigrid Tornquist It used to be that an awning was an awning was an awning. And a sign was a sign was a sign. Then, in a way that rivals the meeting of peanut butter and chocolate, commercial awnings and si…
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The benefits of color management systems

November 1, 2009  |  Features, Graphics

Color management systems help printers achieve first-quality products quickly and with less wasted material. By Janice Kleinschmidt In 1903, Binney & Smith introduced eight Crayola crayons. While the list has grown to 120 colors, including such esoteric shades as “unmellow yellow,” &…
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Troubleshooting color management problems

November 1, 2009  |  Features, Graphics

A print shop encounters a spell of color management problems on a theater project and learns to troubleshoot for a solution. By Chelan David The Flag Loft, housed in a 23,000-square-foot facility in St. Louis, is a custom manufacturer of banners and flags that also distributes flags, flag poles and …
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What do customers really want?

November 1, 2009  |  Business, Features, Management

Perfecting the art of mind reading. By Jamie Swedberg It’s conventional wisdom that in a sluggish economy, what consumers desire more than anything else is a low price. But when business owners in the specialty textiles industry ask themselves the question “What do our customers want fro…
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Drawing on expertise

November 1, 2009  |  Fabric Structures, Features, Projects

Engineers help to ensure the practicality, safety and success of fabric structures. By Janice Kleinschmidt In May, consulting architect Nicholas Goldsmith, FAIA, received a call for help with a tent for the July 4 Coney Island Festival and Flea Market. “A client who purchased a rental tent sys…
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Easing the squeeze

November 1, 2009  |  Features, Graphics, Markets

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 …
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McKernan strives for integrity, quality and excellence

November 1, 2009  |  Features, Management, Perspective

Pete McKernan makes a commitment to action for the specialty fabrics industry. By Sigrid Tornquist “Be trustworthy. Be proactive. Do right. Respect others. Conduct yourself in such a way that when those you do business with think of integrity, quality and excellence—they think of you,” says Pe…
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