Glen Raven Custom Fabrics LLC (Glen Raven, NC), makers of Sunbrella® fabrics, recently registered its 10,000th Sunbrella Graphics System (SGS) project as part of a joint warranty program between Sunbrella fabrics and 3M™ Specified Films. The program encourages fabricators to register completed SGS projects for certification and warranty activation.
The 10,000th project was submitted by Ted Spear of Acme Awning in Minneapolis, whose company produces residential and commercial awnings. The project comprised a commercial awning made of Sunbrella fabric 4678 Marine Blue and four colors of 3M film. Spear, who has used SGS for more than three years, credits the system with reducing the time needed to produce quality graphics.
“Prior to using SGS, our process of transposing or converting graphics was very laborious,” said Spear, who has owned and operated Acme Awning for almost 50 years. “SGS has provided a real labor savings for us while also being a relatively simple system that is easy to maintain and virtually trouble-free. We are able to create colorful, detailed graphics that our clients truly value.”
Though the registration of the 10,000th project was not part of a publicized contest, Spear will be recognized with a plaque and website feature. Glen Raven also will supply Spear and Acme Awning with a roll of its new SGS Thermal Digital Print Film for future use.
“The new SGS Thermal Digital Print film will allow us to expand the SGS program into new markets, such as umbrellas, exhibits, pop-up tents, marine industry applications and more,” said Mike Von Wachenfeldt, technical service manager with Glen Raven and a specialist in graphic media.
SGS Thermal Digital Print film is a flexible urethane film that can be digitally printed on most solvent, eco-solvent, and UV printers and then applied to Sunbrella and other Glen Raven fabrics. The new film provides a more permanent bond, particularly in applications where the fabric must be flexible.