Take the plunge

Starting any business has its challenges and the soft signage sector is no exception, despite its colossal growth spurt in recent years. If you are unfamiliar with the term, it simply applies to signage which is printed on fabric rather than the more traditional materials such as PVC or vinyl. Think branded flags outside a store or displays at a trade exhibition. Whilst it may be easier to think of examples of signage that are printed on traditional materials, soft signage is growing in popularity as more sign-makers are seeing the benefits, including being easier to store and being recyclable.

Fastsigns can help people looking to become a soft signage specialist through its franchise scheme, as there are certain challenges that people should keep in mind in order to have the best chance of success.



John Davies, managing director of Fastsigns UK, explains: “While achievable, there are many risks involved in setting up your own signage business. Little brand recognition, not knowing the best equipment to acquire and a lack of ongoing technical support, are just a few significant barriers often faced by start-up companies.

“To command the soft signage sector and achieve the high quality demanded by the marketplace, a vast amount of equipment and space is required. This makes setting up alone a real challenge.

“Another consideration for start-ups should be the steep learning curve to achieve accurate colours on the print, since you could be incorporating the dye into a coloured fabric. Anyone wanting to set up a soft signage business should think about the additional services required, such as sewing seams into items, hemming and attaching the sign to any other pieces of fabric or hardware to complete the product.”

Practical support

However, Davies highlights that Fastsigns has the right resources and support that people will need to give the soft signage sector a go. “As signage specialists, we can assist franchisees in becoming experts in all types of signage, including soft signage,” Davies says.

He continues: “We offer practical support by helping people get the right equipment, resources and training that may be difficult for them to access when they set up on their own.

“We also have dedicated training programs, award-winning marketing facilities and support teams located on both sides of the Atlantic. This assistance provides Fastsigns members with expert advice in the dye sublimation process, training and support in promoting and growing their soft signage business.

“Being at the forefront of technology, we have researched, tested and sourced a variety of recommended equipment and materials that any of our Fastsigns centres have access to. This knowledge and expertise is available to any centre wishing to pursue soft signage commercial opportunities.”

O Factoid: One method for creating soft signage is to use a dye-sublimation printer, which can print to a transfer media or direct-to-textile. O

With technology developing all the time, the range of substrates and associated products available is growing at an extraordinary rate. This is something Davies has noticed, as he says: “Dye sublimation and direct-to-fabric printing create digitally printed fabric signs and visual graphics that have vibrant colours, smooth gradations and rich blacks that results in sharp, brilliant images. These techniques can be applied to a growing variety of substrates, including polyester-based materials, cotton, cotton/polyester blend and nylon.

“We have found that polyester is best for banners, flags, displays, backdrops and décor elements as using 100 percent polyester fabric allows the material to accept the coloured dye more easily during the printing process.”

As well as technology advancements, it seems that the changing tastes in design have allowed soft signage to thrive.

Davies comments: “We have seen a rise of soft signage on exhibition stands as more companies move away from bulky and cumbersome designs towards the sleek finish of fabric signage. Soft signage will continue to provide a perfect means of promotion for businesses, particularly for temporary branding at corporate events and showroom point of sale. It’s a trend we can only expect to expand and develop in the future. As a market, soft signage has been growing for many years and shows no sign of stopping anytime soon.”

Davies also sees an area of soft signage that is increasing in popularity in LED backlit fabric displays, saying: “Using near translucent fabrics and lighting, these signs create eye-catching banners and signs to generate awareness, and can really help a brand stand out.”

Grafenia’s chief executive officer, Peter Gunning, understands the investment involved when starting out in the soft signage sector. “The investment in equipment is substantial. Not only do you need the dye-sublimation printer and fixation unit, but also the sewing machines and finishing equipment.



“However, the main investment you need is skilled operators, not only to run the printing equipment but also skilled machinists. Skilled operators are key to the process as each item is hand finished, and this is an art not a science. Experience and understanding of fabric is so important when trying to attain and maintain a high-end consistent finished product.”

Learning curve

Gunning describes the learning curve for those not experienced in fabric printing as “steep”, as ink on fabric is a whole other world compared to ink on paper or vinyl.

Gunning advises: “The unpredictability of fabric throughout the process means your operators need to be responsive and adaptable to maintain a high level end product. We have an experienced team adept at this process.

“For many the core of the range is exhibition stands. A reliable, consistent and cost effective frame manufacturer is paramount. Investing in stock, holding and maintaining the right volume as well as housing it is all is a costly part of the process.”

Grafenia is a trade supplier of soft signage, so handles the equipment costs and has an established team of skilled operators, enabling people to focus on the marketing and selling side of your business.

Gunning continues: “Marqetspace, our trade service for graphic professionals, supplies our resellers with an ink-on-fabric toolkit. This includes the ready-made design templates, marketing brochures, leaflets and e-shots, fabric swatch books, product imagery, assembly guides and videos, all ‘white labelled’ and a trade priced product range. This enables our reseller to sell and promote the range, whilst still making a decent margin for themselves.



“Our experienced fabric team are always dabbling in our creative labs, developing and adding new products to the range. This means we are constantly providing our resellers with something new to promote to their customers.”

Grafenia has recently released two fabrics with sound deadening properties, which Gunning says are proving popular in many industries. He adds: “However, they are particularly useful in office spaces, hotels, bars and the leisure industry at large. Whether the fabric is used in fabric meeting booths, as a room divider or within seating and soft furnishings.”



Gunning believes the future of this market lies within workspaces: “Traditionally most people associate the product range with exhibition stands, a modern alternative to roller banners and traditional pop up display stands. This is certainly a large part of the market, however we have seen real growth in people using the range to personalise their workspace.

“Designers are opening their eyes to the possibilities that ink-on-fabric opens up for their clients. We’ve designed and manufactured a whole range of low-cost fabric furniture and display ideas, which enables businesses to tailor their environment to suit their brand, their culture, and inspire their teams.


“From room dividers and meeting booths, to pop-up cocktail tables and cube stools. Acoustic floor screens, massive frameless wall boxes and extra long drop fabric curtains are all now totally customisable and affordable. We’re seeing businesses using our curved booths to make meeting spaces in the corner of the room. They’re flexible, lightweight, easy to transport, and they can adapt to the environment their placed in.”

Grafenia will be showing off its full range of soft signage products at Sign and Digital UK at the end of March on Marqetspace’s stand, K10. And then again at The Print Show in October.

Whilst there are significant challenges of being a start-up company in the soft signage sector, such as costly equipment, lack of technical support and skilled operators, and no brand awareness, there ways to overcome these problems. Fastsigns and Grafenia are just two companies that have much offer in this department, and with more interesting substrates being produced all the time, there is nothing stopping you taking the plunge.


Your text here...