Fabric for versatile branding

February 1, 2020  |  Products

Canwil Dye Sublimation and Ink Jet Printed fabrics are available with short runs and quick turnaround times. The fabrics may be printed with custom logos or designs and can be sold on the roll or fabricated into finished products including backdrops, table covers, signage, SEG applications, tension …
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Making more than money

February 1, 2020  |  Editorial

January always brings two things forcibly to mind: first, the NFL playoffs, and second, an almost viral need to find lists of reasons to make business or economic predictions for the coming year. (This is the February issue, I know, but it’s January 14 as I write this.) The Minnesota Vikings … w…
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Protect your gear for life with the Khyte messenger bag

February 1, 2020  |  Swatches

You’ve got precious cargo: a laptop, a smartphone, important papers … the list goes on. Keeping those goods protected and secure in all weather conditions is now one less thing to worry about thanks to the folks at Mission Workshop. The San Francisco, Calif.-based maker of technical bags and…
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Inhibiting microbes with topcoat technology

February 1, 2020  |  Markets

When compounded performance additives in vinyl aren’t enough, antimicrobial lacquers and topcoats offer extra protection. By Hugh Barrett Microbes, such as bacteria and fungi, can live on a surface for months. Manufacturers of flexible vinyl, films, fabrics and textiles use engineered antimicrobia…
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Ski jacket for smarter sweating

February 1, 2020  |  Swatches

It may be cold on the slopes, but on a downhill run it’s easy to build up sweat. Skiers understand all too well the discomfort of sweat trapped inside clothing. The post-activity chill that results from having saturated inner garments is not only uncomfortable, it’s hard on your muscles and can …
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Textiles and Lifestyle

February 1, 2020  |  Features

Textiles have become more responsive, providing health and wellness benefits while creating worlds of possibilities for manufacturers and users alike.  by Pamela Mills-Senn It wasn’t long ago that the demands placed on textiles were relatively straightforward. Whether apparel, furnishings, ca…
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Change as business strategy

February 1, 2020  |  Features, Perspective

After jumping from the food industry to truck tarps, David Callahan targets customers who value quality and innovation over price.   by Jill C. Lafferty Local competitors are trying to go cheaper and cheaper, while we’re trying to do more and more quality,” says David Callahan, owner of Gra…
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Flexible clear vinyl for windows

February 1, 2020  |  Products

Offering dimensional stability and distortion-free clarity from all angles and in all conditions, PanoramaFR is a flexible clear vinyl window material designed for residential and commercial use. The fabric combines proprietary manufacturing procedures and specifically formulated materials to set a …
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Sustainable practices in today’s textile industry

February 1, 2020  |  Advanced Textiles, Markets

 by Marie O’Mahony The story of sustainability in the textile industry has grown and changed, particularly in the last decade. The concept of “circularity” is now driving sustainability across the materials sector. According to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, “A circular economy is based on…
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Peak performance lava gear

February 1, 2020  |  Swatches

What does one wear when working on an active volcano near lava ranging from 1,300 to 2,000° F? It’s a real dilemma for volcanologists—geologists who study the formation and eruptive activity of volcanoes. Alan Whittington, chair of Geological Sciences at the University of Missouri, was vexed by…
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