Textiles special report

Nice 'N' Easy does it

Creating fabric - based printed display stands is child's play with the T3 system from Tecna UK.

Of all the innovations in the exhibition and display industries over the last 20 years, largeformat graphics have had the greatest impact. T3 Airframe has been designed specifically to fulfill the need for a lightweight framing system capable of carrying many kinds of panels and graphics. It is the most versatile display system available today. The key components of the system are a tube and a connector, which join together with a brilliantly simple patented, twist-lock action. No tools are required. From its inception in the late 1990's British inventor, founder and managing director of Tecna Display Jonathan Evitt knew that T3 with its unique tube and connector system had a myriad of uses. Evitt realised that with the continual advancements in largeformat graphic printer technology, especially in the digital textile printing market, that there was a need for a simple, easy-to-use fabric graphic system. "The benefits of using printed fabrics in the exhibition and display industries are dramatic. If we were to maintain our position as leading innovators in the industry we needed to supply a fabric solution." The T3 Fabframe system was born. The new Fabframe channel profile has been designed specifically for easy fitting of tensioned fabric panels. A silicone or latex band is sewn onto the perimeter of the panel which slots easily into a multi-slot 'comb' on the tube. External corners, Tjunctions and cross-junctions are all neatly finished with a range of snap-in accessories. T3 Airframe fabric structures are ideally suited to large towers, backdrops, conference and stage sets and 'soft' lightboxes. And because of the tube and connector system, Fabframe integrates with the original T3 Airframe tubes to enable multifaceted textures and styles to be incorporated into the design. Transport costs are drastically reduced and with the system being reconfigurable, the ability to create a continued revenue stream with just one investment is achievable. Evitt explains: "Everything about T3 is of the very best quality, so much so that there is a lifetime guarantee on all the elements we supply. It was my dream to develop a product for this industry that would be manufactured and supplied globally through our UK base. The T3 product is robustly engineered and meets all of the strict EU regulations on fire, health and safety and re-cycling. T3 Fabframe was born out of the technological advancements within the digital textile printing arena and as new developments in printing technology emerge, we will aim to deliver a T3 solution." The increased availability of good quality printed fabric graphics, ease of use and durability makes fabric graphics the perfect medium for the traditional exhibition contractor - and T3's flexibility makes it a dream for the designer to create imaginative, bespoke designs over and over again from the same elements. Dramatic shapes, extreme flexibility, ease of assembly and an ability to build up to 8m high are just a few other reasons why smart exhibition contractors are using tension fabrics in their trade show displays in order to create high impact towers, hanging signs, back walls, light boxes and conference areas in addition to concert and stage sets. The print quality within digital textile printing has improved to meet the exacting standards expected in a large-format display graphic. In addition, the fabrics are now durable, lightweight and washable to ensure your exhibition graphic stays in tip top condition for its usable lifetime. Today's fabrics are not only dramatic, durable and cost efficient but they are also fire retardant to meet safety requirements at any trade show and, with the whole system being re-usable, will meet even the strictest environmental rules. Evitt is also keen to develop his new, exciting concept of the 'soft lightbox'. "T3- Fabframe enables our customers to be able to fabricate their own lightboxes to any size, which can be easily transported and assembled on site. I am confident that this concept could dramatically increase the use of lightboxes and light walls because they are so light, easy to build and can give four sided illumination."

Tecna UK
Tecna UK is the UK distributor for T3 products, including Fabframe and managing director, Simeon Wicks, is a familiar face in exhibition halls all over the country. "Tecna Display has invested heavily in the industry by continually developing and engineering.