Clipso provides wide-width knitted fabrics designed for ceiling and wall coverings.
XLprints began in owner Andy Lotia’s garage with a vinyl cutter. Fifteen years later, the Santa Clara, Calif.-based company is committed to being on the leading edge of fabric printing and finishing services, as well as green initiatives.
The sister-brother team of Maureen and Rick Kelly credit their father’s advice for leading them into the flag and banner business.
Swirling Silks of Skippack, Pa., has taken a different path to success, offering their clients the full array of digital technologies through printing partners.
Main Attractions bills itself as a one-stop shop for special event rental and fabrication services.
Baraboo Tent & Awning is a custom fabric crafter with a number of businesses under one “tent,” so to speak.
Ed Burak says that when it comes to awnings, there are no secrets.
In the decades in which Photoworks Creative Group has been in business, the Charlottesville, Va.-based creative services company has evolved with every industry innovation.
Eventscape Inc. has developed an international reputation for incorporating trendsetting designs into customized landmark structures, merging branding and architecture in bold new ways.
KD Kanopy started as a tent manufacturer in 1984, but it didn’t take long to recognize the market for graphics on tents.
Steve Samuel and Michael Elrod, owners of Graphics Gallery in Richmond, Va. have learned the value of adapting their service offerings to reflect their customer’s needs
Founded in 1893, Olympus Flag & Banner printed its first American flag in 1914.
By watching, listening, and reacting to customer needs, Color-X’s business has expanded into new printing and substrate technologies.
Patrick Hayes had spent years working in the marching band market when he saw both his future and the future of exhibits: using the very products he was selling—banners and flagpoles—to create exhibits for trade shows.
Fusion began the fabric portion of its business printing vehicle and bus wraps, and then expanded into grand-format printing, which led to the Cityscape program for the 2002 Olympic Games.
Taking into account all factors, what are your three most important considerations for making an equipment purchase?
Quality, versatility and price.
Susanne Jansson, principal, Better Mousetrap LLC, Long Island City, N.Y.
In order of importance: One is need, two is advancement of technology since last purchase, three is economies of operation, four is cost.
Pat Hayes, CPP, chairman, Fabric Images Inc., Elgin, Ill.
What are the needs of my customer and will this equipment fill that need? What are the operating costs associated, primarily consumables? Will this equipment position me for the future or will it only get me caught up? The preference is future position.
Tony Schmitt, product development manager, Optima Graphics, Fenton, Mo.
What is your biggest workflow problem, and what steps have you taken to solve it?
Problem: Finishing and packaging, because clients do not give you enough time to produce a product, and the delay of production because the client file is not supplied correctly and keeping the same due date.
Solution: Putting verbiage in your requirements and estimates hoping the client will not be working last minute themselves.
Susanne Jansson, principal, Better Mousetrap LLC, Long Island City, N.Y.
Problem: Fast turnarounds, and inter-department scheduling.
Solution: Alignment of staff needs, implementation of new operations software, improved project management.
Pat Hayes, CPP, chairman, Fabric Images Inc., Elgin, Ill.
Problem: Time.
Solution: I have petitioned to have an extra 75 minutes added to each day.
Tony Schmitt, product development manager, Optima Graphics, Fenton, Mo.

