Exhibitionist Tendencies: Freeman

Freeman Corp. (Dallas) has fabricated exhibit graphics since 1927; its projects evolved from handpainted to screenprinted to vinyl and digital graphics. According to project manager Susan Bendily, the company produces graphics for approximately 4,300 exhibitions annually. Prominent clients include Boeing, Microsoft and Texas Instruments. Freeman primarily uses aqueous and solvent inks, though it’s increasingly transitioning to UV-cure inks and printers that span from 5 to 16 ft.

Understandably, sustainability has become a major consideration for Freeman. Bendily said, “For hard-wall exhibit construction, we use bamboo and other green products. And, more customers are interested in repurposing exhibits for future projects and creating modular exhibits for multiple applications.”

To meet value-engineering needs and save on shipping and assembly costs, specing lightweight fabric substrates and aluminum hardware has replaced bulkier components. EDS has become an increasingly vital component for Freeman’s exhibits; the company has developed a dedicated AV division for such projects.

“The design flexibility that [EDS] provides, as well as the availability to provide immediate updates and targeted messages, has made it an asset for many of our customers.”