The textile takeover: Why fabric is fast becoming a signage favourite

At our Essex print facility we’re seeing a noticeable shift, and it's made of fabric. Textile signage has been steadily rising in popularity, and it’s showing no signs of slowing down. In fact, in March 2024, textiles accounted for 29% of our total material production. Fast forward just 12 months to March 2025, and that figure has grown to 42%. Of course some of that is down to increased capacity meaning we could take on even more textile-based work, but overall it reflects the trend that we’re seeing across the market.

As a large-format trade-only printer, we’re proud to offer a full spectrum of signage solutions, from PVC and rigid board to banners, displays, and, of course, textile products. Each material has its own unique strengths, and the real magic happens when the right substrate and format are matched to the right objective. But right now, it’s fair to say fabric is having a moment, and it’s one that looks like it’s here to stay.

Thanks to our three high-performance EFI FabriVU dye-sublimation textile printers - two standard models and one which features inline fixation - we’ve evolved production to ensure we’re capable of handling high textile demand with speed and precision. The newest addition, our EFI FabriVU i+ with inline fixation, was installed in May 2024. It was brought in for two reasons: to support the ongoing growth in textile orders and to give us built-in redundancy should our calendar unit ever need downtime.

Since joining the team, that one machine alone has already printed around 30,000m² of fabric. Across all three printers, our total textile output over the past 12 months has reached an impressive 94,000m². That’s a huge amount of soft signage being produced and delivered every single week.

In terms of the textile products we offer, our textile portfolio is constantly evolving and we are always looking at new solutions and materials to add to our offering. Currently, our customers have the choice of four textile materials:

• AirMesh Polyester
• Knitted Polyester (flags)
• Backlit Polyester
• Display/stretch polyester

All four materials are high-quality, versatile options suited to a wide range of applications, from indoor graphics, lightboxes, and exhibition displays to crowd barriers, heras fencing banners, building wrap banners, flags, and more. But there’s one material that’s really standing out from the crowd right now: Stretch/Display Polyester. This fabric is currently our top-selling textile, with annual sales now sitting at 50,000m², that’s up 15,000m² year-on-year! It’s been a consistent performer, and a big part of its success comes from the rise of stretch walls.

Stretch walls have become an increasingly popular alternative for event and exhibition graphics because they’re quick to assemble, easy to transport, and deliver a sleek, seamless look that clients love. Paired with the vibrant colour and print quality possible with fabric printing, these products offer an incredibly polished result. And of course, stretch polyester isn’t just limited to stretch frames, it’s also well-suited to exhibition graphics, retail graphics, and even table cloths! It’s a go-to option for any project where a smooth finish and standout print quality are key.

Another exciting development for our textile offering this year is the introduction of AirMesh. Introduced at the start of the year, this lightweight, breathable textile has gone from a standing start to selling 7,000m² in the first three months of 2025 alone. Its structure makes it ideal for applications where airflow matters, think outdoor events, building wraps, and fence graphics. It delivers the durability and impact of a mesh banner, but in a textile format that many of our customers are now exploring for the first time.

So, aside from its sleek print quality and its reusable and transportable properties, what’s driving the surge in soft signage demand?

1. Professional appearance

As highlighted earlier, you just can’t beat the clean, crease-free finish that textile graphics offer and this works especially well in high-end environments like exhibitions, showrooms, and retail spaces. Colours are rich, the graphic won’t crease, and the overall look is premium.

2. Lightweight and easy to handle

A big selling point of fabric signage is that it’s very easy to transport and install. It folds down neatly, travels light, and often doesn’t require heavy structures or complex fixings - ideal for events, frequent rebrands, or companies managing their own setups. Plus, this ease of handling also makes logistics much easier with textiles folding down to much more manageable sizes than other signage products.

3. Versatility

With just four fabric types, we’re producing everything from flags and lightboxes to backdrops and building banners. The versatility and adaptability of textile makes it a valuable part of any signage toolkit and this is something we, and our customers, love the most about textile signage.

4. Complementary to other signage types

Fabric signage isn’t about replacing traditional options, it’s about adding flexibility. Often, fabric is used alongside PVC or rigid board to create layered, multi-dimensional display solutions, or for installations or environments that require a range of coordinated signage materials.

5. Built for growth

With our trio of FabriVU printers, including our high-output inline fixation model, we’ve futureproofed our production setup to handle increased volumes, quick turnarounds, and a variety of project types. As demand continues to grow, we’re also seeing more customers proactively exploring textile solutions for both creative and logistical reasons.

Textiles now represent a substantial part of our total production, but they’re still just one thread in our overall offering. Whether your job calls for a flexible fabric wall, a PVC banner, a rigid display board, or a bit of everything, we’ve got you covered.