What’s Hot In Installation & Displays

There are a number of trends in the installation arena. The hot trends vary by installation and graphics/display type. Here are some things to look for.

Textiles

Fabric-based graphics are not new, but are increasing in prevalence, especially as the number of dye-sublimation, latex and other fabric printing technologies proliferate. Textile-based display graphics are lightweight compared to rigid materials, are easy to ship, can be easily reused and are considered more environmentally friendly than vinyls.

SEG

Silicone-edge graphics (SEG) are seeing strong growth. With SEG, a graphic is printed on fabric, then a thin, silicone strip is sewn around the edge. This strip fits into a thin aluminium frame, and when the graphic is pulled tight, it can closely resemble rigid graphics. LEDs or other lights can be added to create backlit displays. SEG kits include frames in standard sizes, and graphics can be swapped out.

Magnetics

Another easy-to-install graphic display option involves printing on magnetic substrates. These are media that are magnetic and will stick to a metal surface or media that are not magnetized, but are run through a magnetizer after printing. To account for the fact that most display surfaces are not metallic, providers also offer solutions that can make any surface magnetically-receptive.

Extra dimensions

Installers have seen increased interest in adding an extra dimension to basic 2D signage. Dimension can be added in a variety of ways, from printing on textured materials, using magnetic media to layer graphics, adding PVC or foam elements or even using new 3D printing systems to create three-dimensional elements for displays. 

Vehicles

One of the hottest and fastest growing areas of specialty graphics today is vehicle graphics, be they advertising-based, decorative or functional (providing protection from the elements or changing the color of a car). New kinds of vinyls, new tools and new techniques are constantly appearing.

“Some of the newest things going on with vinyls are products that are not really vinyl as we think of it today,” says Rob Ivers, Owner of Rob Ivers, Inc., which provides tools and training for vehicle wrappers. Ivers is also co-instructor of the “Wrap Like a Pro” sessions, being held Tuesday through Thursday. “Companies are coming out with products that are more ‘green,’ such as ‘non-vinyl vinyls’ made for car wrapping.” The challenge to working with some of these materials is that they may not stretch or otherwise perform in the same way that “traditional” car wrap vinyls do, which can make them prone to listing and, ultimately, wrap failure.

Then there are tools. “Attendees should look at tool companies,” says Ivers. “There are some amazing tools coming out.” Such as rulers or dots that can stick to non-metallic surfaces, much like window clings, but are themselves magnetically receptive, so installers can use magnets for positioning and application purposes. “They’re great on fiberglass race cars,” he says. “If someone is wrapping a NASCAR and it’s fiberglass, and they’re used to using magnets to position graphics, now there is a way to do it.”