Fabric graphics

Fabric graphics can add a stunning dimension to exhibition stands ad change the whole physical environment in permanent installations. Most forms of print onto fabric however actually restrict how the fabrics can be used which is why Nimlok uses something called "Dye-sublimation".

Some probems with "standard" forms of print...

1) Print damage. In traditional processes the ink is printed onto the surface of the fabric however the fabric is flexible whilst the ink layer is not. If the fabric is flexed large amounts (perhaps during multiple installations) or folded repeatedly (for transport) the ink layer will begin to seperate from the fabric substrate.

2) Stretch. Because the fabric has to be fed through a printer it cannot be very elastic because it would tangle up and the image would not be consistent due to the varying pressures put upon the fabric by the printer. There would also be issues with in adhesion as the fabric stretched and compressed in use. This makes covering structures difficult- gussets of elastane fabric have to be sewn in at the edges to provide stretch in the structure.

3) Image quality. Printing onto a fabric leads to a slight bleeding or "spread" of the ink which has the appearance of blurring the image. The colour gamut (or number of colours) available in these processes tends to be narrower so image impact is lessened.

4) Cleaning. Abrasion during cleaning can remove ink from the image ad pressing or ironing has to be handled very carefully.

5) Fire rating: Most materials for this process are not fire rated.

Nimlok Digital Fabric was developed using exciting new digital technlogy linked to the more traditional process of sublimation. Nimlok doesn't print onto farics, we print into them. The ink and fabric substrate are pressed together and heated to 200 degrees c. The ink becomes a gas and flow into the fibres of the fabric. When it cools the ink is "set" into the structure of the fabric itself.

It provides the following advantages...

Digital Fabric 1) Print damage. The image is in the fibres of the fabric itself. To denigrate the image you have to break down the fabric structure, destroying the whole graphic.

Digital Fabric 2) Stretch. The whole fabric can include levels of elastane in the weave so it all stretches, no gussets or elasticated mouting systems are needed.

Digital Fabric 3) We print at over 600dpi and even fine text is legible. The colour gamut is high and colour vibrancy has to be seen to be believed.

Digital Fabric 4) Fabrics can be washed over 150 times. Lightfastness is high enough for the process to be recommended for flags in external environments.

Digital Fabric 5) Fire rated fabrics available for specific installations.

Environmental consideration rating: High

No solvents are used in the process which require specialist filtering or disposal. Material wastage is reduced by very high reuse of the graphics which tens to go out of date for content before the material physically breaks down.