Tension Fabric and Fabric Graphics

Photos from The Special Event 2012 in Tampa, Florida

2012-01-24T12:32:00.000-08:00

This page is going to be actively updated. Posting a bunch of photos here that I'm taking in Tampa at The Special Event 2012 during the week of January 23 - 27. I will follow up with a proper round up and description of this show later on! Thank you. JL #TSE2012

Looking forward to The Special Event in Tampa

2012-01-19T06:30:00.000-08:00

Looking forward to The Special Event 2012 in Tampa, Florida next week. We will be there with PiNK powered by Moss exhibiting and attending several of the showcasing events and gala on Friday night.

The Event production side of our business is geared toward two main areas...

First and foremost is Rental tension fabric and tension fabric structures that are used as event decor or to configure "soft" stage sets.

Second (and often times really exciting to produce) are custom designed and fabricated tension fabric and tension fabric structures for purchase. This is where projects like the MTV VMA awards can come into play or projects like fashion shows for example.

Our VP of Event Design Debra Roth who is also the President of the NYC ISES chapter this year will be in our booth along with several members of our design, sales and management team.

So, if you are attending The Special Event 2012 in Tampa - please look us up and say hello. We will be showing an exciting new rental product (teaser below) that is innovative and fresh on the exhibit hall floor. We can't wait to see you there and to hear how things are going.

For updates from TSE this week, please click here!

Thank you, JL.

Tension fabric structures: understanding them better (a series)

2011-09-15T10:57:00.000-07:00

I've decided to do a series of posts reviewing the various types of tension fabric structures. It will include descriptions of the construction methods available and what materials are often used.

Understanding these things in greater detail may help you become a better exhibit or event designer, sales person or project manager to your clients. So please check it out and let me know what you think in the comments. Or, if you prefer you can shoot me a message on twitter.

This first post is a summary of the different types of tension fabric structures. Photo examples are numbered below. The next post will go into greater detail about framing materials and fabrics. The third post will be about connections, hanging, rigging and lighting.

So without further ado, let's look at the main categories of tension fabric structures:

Fully framed fabric structures: these are frames that make the 3D or 2D shape before the fabric covering is attached. Fabric cover types used can be pillowcase, single skin or fully enclosed. Fully framed offers better tension in all directions which means a smoother looking appearance and a better fit in almost all cases.

A fully framed tensioned fabric structure (Moss Circle Sign). It has vertical spreaders and a pillowcase cover.

Gravity tension structures: top frame and bottom frames only - gravity from the bottom frame pulls the fabric. Requires less construction but may offer a less than perfect result because it's a looser fitting fabric. Can be useful though in certain applications.
Gravity Tension (sheer). Notice there are no vertical spreaders. All tension comes from the weight of bottom ring.
Extrusion based structures (not round tubing): graphic panels are usually single skin. Silicone edge graphic (SEG) or flat gasket "beading" has become the preferred method of connection to the extrusion framing but sleeves are another option. May also be fully enclosed.
Extrusion based structures with tension fabric graphics (backlit here).
Fabric only shapes: examples would be wings, shapes and projection screens that are tensioned from reinforcement points or loops sewn into the shape. These can look fantastic and they are tension fabric at it's purest. However, they are installation critical meaning they need to be installed well to achieve maximum effect. If poorly installed, they will look it.
Fabric only wings from PiNK powered by Moss.
Display hardware: various forms of framing that are manufactured in high quantity. Usually they are for smaller displays, podiums, banner stands and backdrops. There are several of these now that use tension fabric graphics rather than rigid laminated panels. The fabric tension can come from a frame that pops open with the graphic already attached or from a retractable mechanism for example.
Display Hardware utilizing tension fabric graphics.
Outdoor tensile fabric (including canopies and tents): these applications tend to be larger in scale and use heavy duty materials for permanent and semi-permanent applications.

Outdoor tensile fabric structures. Can be much larger than the 30 ft Moss Optidome tents in this photo. It becomes a specialty area when you need it really big or to be for permanent or semi-permanent applications. Companies like Moss Inc and PiNK powered by Moss specialize in temporary outdoor structures only.

Here are some updates from Moss Inc...

2011-07-14T14:23:00.000-07:00

Summer is a time when business slows down and you can look at getting prepared for the big fall rush. Along those lines, I just wanted to post some updates about Moss Inc. (company that I work for as an AE)...

First off: Moss Inc. has a new website! It's been a huge project for our marketing team and it looks really super. In particular some of the improvements on the front end include: a lot of our new product information and a great photo gallery to browse with larger photos. The ease of finding things (navigation) is vastly improved and there's also a "search this site" feature at the top right corner. On the backend, it gives our team something that is easier to keep updated and fresh. Hope you will check it out at: www.mossinc.com

Also on the Moss front: you should know that the product formerly known as "Moss EZ Engage" has had a slight name change to EZ Interactive Wall. It's the same product. The change was in name only. In all future marketing and sales documents from Moss the product will be known by the new name.

In the Pink: our team at PiNK powered by Moss continues to rock the event world this summer. They are winning awards and pulling off amazing events with our event producer partners. PiNK's founder and now the Moss VP of Event Design Debra Roth has a great blog. I encourage you to check it out.

Lastly, Moss Inc. acquired a giant player in the sports marketing world this year named Flying Colors powered by Moss. They do all kinds of amazing work on a huge scale. Things like NFL Superbowl Events, NFL Pro Bowls, NBA All Star Games, NHL Winter Classics, etc. Another couple of really nice things about Flying Colors joining Moss: they have a strong environmental commitment and the founder David Kerchman has stayed on there similar to Debra Roth at PiNK.

Okay so that is all the news for now! Hope you will contact us if we can help you with your tension fabric projects or fabric graphics. Thank you. JL

New YouTube Channel is online for Moss Inc.

2011-06-03T09:27:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to do a quick post about these product videos from Moss Inc. being up on YouTube. Embedding product videos into a Moss Dealer's website is a great way to show new products to your clients instantly! Or, you can email them a link if you prefer.

EZ Fabric Wall:

Entasi Displays:

Moss EZ Engage video as it was seen at Exhibitor 2011

2011-04-14T16:24:00.000-07:00

NOTE: This product has been renamed EZ Interactive Wall. The product has not changed just the name.

If you have not seen the Moss EZ Engage (interactive display) up close and personal, you may find the demonstration video below interesting to watch.

The true beauty of the EZ Engage is that content creation and loading of content (via a USB flash drive) is within the comfort zone of most clients and it does not require an IT degree! Attendees intuitively figure out how to work the motion sensors to see content play on the monitor built into the 80mm thick wall.

EZ Engage is available for both rental and purchase through Moss (tradeshow-exhibit-display) Dealers across North America. This new product was one of six winners of the Buyer's Choice award at Exhibitor 2011.

Exhibitor 2011: What happened this year

2011-04-04T09:44:00.000-07:00

Photos courtesy of Debra Roth.

This is a post show wrap up to Exhibitor 2011 and a response to questions I asked on this blog prior to the show. These are my opinions in some cases. The other 6,000 attendees will no doubt have their own.

I want to thank the #Engage365 group on Twitter for their analysis after the show. If you are looking to use social media to learn about tradeshow exhibiting and event planning, I can make no higher recommendation than #eventprofs and #Engage365 as good hashtags to search on Twitter. The people using these hashtags are really very knowledgable and supportive of each other.

So here we go...

Q. What were the overall trends at Exhibitor 2011?
A. The overall trends were: technology, interactivity, LED lighting and social media integration. I say technology and interactivity based on the Buyer's Choice award winners (below). In regard to social media integration: there were many exhibitors posting updates from the show each day and a few attendees. The #eventprofs group was the most prolific of the tweeters and there was a tweetup at the show on Monday night. The official hashtag for the show: #Exhibitor2011 was almost universally used which made it easy to follow. I mention LED lighting because while the technology has been around for a while, the pricing is still coming down - making it more prevalent and accessible. There were several companies (including the one I work for) showing backlit graphics using LED light sources. There was increased use of colored LEDs as flood and accent lights as you would expect.

Q. Who won the best new product awards at Exhibitor 2011? The Buyer's Choice Award winners were:

PhotonInteractive Display by PeopleVisionFX
iPad Lead System by NewLeads
Kaon PresenterPro by Kaon Interactive
Concierge Elite by Freeman
EZ Engage Interactive Wall by Moss
Custom Printed Textured Flooring by The Inside Track

For more info: http://www.exhibitoronline.com/exhibitorshow/2011/AwardWinners.asp

Q. Who won the best exhibit (design) awards?

The Best of Show: Large Booth, Blue Telescope
The Best of Show: Small Booth, Lounge 22 Powered by Cort
The Best New Exhibitor Award: Tangram International Exhibitions
Best Booth Staff Award: Derse

For more info: http://www.exhibitoronline.com/exhibitorshow/2011/AwardWinners.asp

Q. Who posted videos to YouTube and what type of content did they have?

YouTube video posts from the show were coming from:

3DExhibits
MG Design
TradeShowExpo
vLiveMarketing
GALLOinspires
NomadicDisplay
ELITeXPO
ApplerockUSA
ChampionExpoServices
ExhibitCityNews
LetsTalkTradeshows

Plus many others. To see them all, here's the link to search results on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Exhibitor2011&aq=f

Fabric light boxes

Q. Which conference sessions generated the most interest and comments from the CTSM's?
A. This is a much tougher question to answer! I was working the exhibit hall each day and did not have the opportunity to attend many conference sessions (which is normal). It was probably foolish of me to even ask this question given my inability to attend sessions and the overall large number of sessions that go on at Exhibitor. However, I'd still like to know if any of the #eventprofs and folks involved in the CTSM sessions would care to comment!

EZ Engage interactive displays and juicebar recharging station.

Exhibitor 2011: What to expect this year?

2011-03-24T08:01:00.000-07:00

Along with 6,000 others, I will be attending Exhibitor 2011 at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas next week (March 27-31).This is the largest, "trade show about trade shows" in North America. It is organized and sponsored by Exhibitor Media Group (the owners of Exhibitor Magazine).

Trade show managers, custom exhibit houses and vendor/suppliers attend this show and conference. It draws people from across the industry and this is the place where most will unveil their newest and best products, programs, services, etc.

There are networking events and 5 days of conference sessions where trade show managers can receive educational credits and work toward their Certified Trade Show Manager certification.

Our company, Moss Inc., will be unveiling a new product line of fabric light boxes named Radiance. We will also have our new EZ Engage Wall interactive display there and it will draw a crowd. Moss will also have some new display hardware to announce.

But enough about us. Here are the big questions as I see them...

What will the overall trends be this year at Exhibitor 2011?
What new products are going to stand out and get the most attention?
Who will win the design awards and best exhibit awards?
Who will post interesting YouTube videos and the best Tweets from the show?
What conference sessions are going to spark the most interest among CTSM's?

If you want to "tune in" virtually next week (March 27-31) there will be good ways to find out what is happening at the show. The Twitter hashtag is #Exhibitor2011. You can search this hashtag on Twitter and every post with the hashtag will be listed. I'd also expect to see a similar tag on YouTube for searching. The Exhibitor 2011 website is of course the source for official information. Cheers!

EZ Engage shown at vendor day for DC based Moss dealer

2011-03-02T19:16:00.000-08:00

NOTE: This product has been renamed EZ Interactive Wall. The product has not changed just the name.

Today was my first chance personally to set up and operate the new Moss EZ Engage interactive display (on the right). At the Moss dealer function, this display received a lot of attention due to the LED motion sensors and the content (photos and videos) that are selected by attendees to display on the monitor. We also showed a Moss Groove Light Box (on left) and the iconic Entasi back wall. Below is a close up shot of the LED sensors and the screen showing content. This is a really exciting, new display technology and it's available for purchase or rental to Moss dealers.

VMA stage set is most popular post on this blog

2011-02-10T08:00:00.000-08:00

Must have something to do with the keywords? Anyway, Moss recently acquired rights to photos of the stage set from the MTV Video Music Award's rehearsals, so I thought I'd share them in the slides below.

The designer of this set was Florian Wieder. This was a big project for Moss Inc. in 2010 and it took up a large part of our production facility in Chicago to fabricate the tension fabric structures. They looked amazing under the production lights and on the world broadcast.

NOTE: The addition of PiNK powered by Moss last summer added an incredible amount of depth to the product line available for event producers -- including rentals that can be used to configure impressive looking stage sets from easy-to-use standard tension fabric products.

Similar to sampling and mixing in music, the results that can be achieved are unique to each stage set designer and the way you put it all together in combination with the A/V and lighting.

EZ Fabric Wall rentals become available

2011-02-08T10:36:00.000-08:00

Many Moss dealers and their clients have been asking for EZ Fabric (modular) Walls to be made available as rentals since the system was introduced last year. The waiting is finally over.

EZ Fabric Walls can be rented from the Las Vegas and Chicago Moss facilities. If you are saying to yourself, "What the heck are EZ Fabric Walls?" -- the demonstration video below should explain.

Moss Engage Wall a big hit at EDPA

2010-12-14T13:35:00.000-08:00

The new Moss EZ Engage interactive wall was reportedly a big hit at EDPA Access 2010 in early December and one of the most popular vendor exhibits.

EZ Engage is an interactive display with reactive LED sensors that allow users to drive content to an integrated LCD monitor. The exhibitor can have the wall's fabric skin printed with custom graphics and the content to the system is loaded via simple USB flash drive.

Moss provides the EZ Engage display system. Clients are responsible for providing source files for content. EZ Engage plays still shots (.jpg) and multimedia files (.mov). The new technology is expected to become available to Moss exhibit and event dealers for resale and rental to their clients in January 2011.

NOTE: (Update) EZ Engage is available for both rental and purchase now. Contact your Moss rep for more info.

Iconic Entasi display continues to influence exhibit design

2010-11-03T08:19:00.000-07:00

The iconic Entasi display system continues to influence exhibit and event design and it remains a workhorse tool for inline spaces. Entasi displays are used day-in and day-out at trade shows around the world. You will also see Entasi back walls used often as back drops for televised media events and press conferences.

As a testament to the iconic nature of the Entasi display system, there are derivative variations on the design available from other vendors than Moss Inc. One of those derivative designs was a recent award winner at a major exhibit show.

Imitation is a form of flattery as they often say. Most derivatives of the Entasi that we've seen function purely as simple back walls and do not have standoffs like the original design by Bob Frey.

The original Entasi display is simple, attractive and time efficient to I&D. It has a lightweight, anodized aluminum tubular frame (tool-less at 10 ft) and a zip-on pillowcase, tension fabric graphic cover for the back wall. The back wall can be several shapes but the Vertical Curve is the most iconic. A typical set up time per Entasi backwall for most people is about 10-15 minutes.

The back wall fabric graphic cover is typically "custom printed" with logos and artwork. The branding philosophy on this graphic is to keep the graphic design clean and timeless since it's the largest and most expensive one to replace. Smaller interchangeable graphics are available on the standoffs for specific shows, product highlights or events.

The standoff is where the Entasi remains unique. The standoffs can be used out front to hold shelves, monitors, and interchangeable accent graphics as needed. They transform the Entasi from a simple backwall into a more customizable display system. Lastly, there are accessories like arm lights, headers, literature holders, shipping cases, podiums, etc.

Depending on how much an Entasi is styled out with standoffs and add-ons, it may take another 15-20 minutes to install at an exhibition.

(*The Entasi as a standard product is only available in 10 ft inline or 20 ft inline. Longer inline booths are often achieved "modularly" by simply placing Entasi back walls side-by-side.)

Amazing VMA stage set link

2010-09-17T11:12:00.001-07:00

Bold tension fabric structures were used on a massive scale for the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards stage set at the Nokia Theatre this fall. Moss was the fabricator of the tensioned fabric structures. They were designed by German designer Florian Wieder.

Pro photographer Drew Ressler aka Rukes has better shots than the one above from the rehearsals of DeadMau5. Rukes specialty is photographing pro DJ's and their performances. Check it out... http://photo.rukes.com/vma10a/vma10a.html

If you're looking for tension fabric stage set design ideas on a smaller scale than the VMA's, you might like this recent post which has a lot of photos that include rental items.

EZ Fabric Wall system wins Product Design award from EXHIBITOR magazine

2010-07-16T07:06:00.000-07:00

Curved EZ Fabric Wall shown with a Moss Highboy table.

Moss Inc.'s EZ Fabric Wall system was awarded a 2010 Product Design award by EXHIBITOR Magazine in the July print issue (page 52).

Quotes in the article from the judges included...

"Lightweight, contemporary and customizable."

"We love the contemporary look of this system."

"The myriad configurations and applications make it a good solution for just about any exhibitor."

---

About EZ Fabric Walls...

EZ Fabric Wall is a "modular" system with a lightweight metal frame and stretch fabric covers. The easily reconfigurable panels allow exhibitors to quickly build walls, rooms, towers (stacking), kiosks and full booths as needed.

The fabric skins can be ordered to cover multiple walls or single walls. And, once a set of walls have been purchased, they can be reused to make new layouts at future events. The walls can be re-skinned with new fabrics when needed or reused with existing fabrics to save money.

Linear Expressions 10x20 shown with EZ Fabric Wall being used to make the structure.

EXHIBITOR Magazine's Trade Show Videos: 2010 International Consumer Electronics Show

2010-07-02T08:37:00.000-07:00

[LINK to] EXHIBITOR Magazine's Trade Show Videos: 2010 International Consumer Electronics Show

I thought the video link above from Exhibitor Magazine was a great showcase for tensioned fabric structures and how they can be used. The trend at the large tradeshows like CES has been toward more hanging structures.

They draw people into the booths from far away and they keep the floor space below more open. This allows the structures on the floor to be more informational and product oriented while directing traffic flow or providing meeting spaces.

Your client may not have the budget to do a CES "superbooth" but this lesson can still be applied to a 20x20 or 20x30 - and pay off in increased ROI!

Another benefit from using lightweight tensioned fabric structures overhead and on the floor: they'll save your clients money on shipping and drayage vs. other heavier, bulky construction materials. By the way this is also the biggest way to go Green...

1. Reduce (weight, # of crates, waste).
2. Reuse (use quality frames and re-graphic them).
3. Recycle (and use recycled and renewable materials).

One last point, using recycled or renewable materials in your exhibit design does not mean you can throw the first R out the window. Exhibits ship often and long distances. The reduction of exhibit weight (and number of crates) is the single most important factor in reducing their carbon impact.

(Video link provided by Exhibitor Magazine.)

Debra Roth and Pink Inc. join the Moss family (industry news)

2010-06-10T09:07:00.000-07:00

Pink is now Powered by Moss! http://fb.me/zbHEo4uw

JUNE 9, 2010 | FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Charles J. Corsentino, Chairman, President & CEO of Moss Inc. announced that effective June 9, 2010, Moss Inc. has acquired the inventory and trade name “Pink Inc”.

The Pink brand name will continue under a new identity, “Pink Powered by Moss”. The addition of the Pink product line builds on the many synergizes to be realized by the combination of the two national Event and Rental organizations. Moss currently services clients nationwide with locations in Chicago Illinois, Salt Lake City, Utah, Belfast, Maine and Las Vegas, Nevada. This new venture will allow Moss to have a major presence in New York City, New York which has been a long desired strategy for Moss.

Debra Roth, the former owner of Pink Inc., has been named Director of Design & Creative Events for the new organization. Debra brings over 20 years of design and creative experience to the new venture. Corsentino notes that “the combination of Moss and Pink will offer a wide breadth of new products and services to the market place. The regionalization of our Event and Rental products will permit Moss to service clients nationally on a more competitive and efficient basis.”

Pink Powered by Moss will operate out of a new New York City location and will service clients on a regional and national basis. Mr. Corsentino said “with the quick turnaround expectations from customers nationwide to deliver Fabric Structures, Print and Display Hardware products, and Event decor that is top quality, Moss will have a stronger national presence and will add more value to its offerings.” Debra Roth echoed that sentiment, saying “The combination of these two product lines puts together the very best of both companies and will give the market the most comprehensive Event product line in the market.”

Bringing life and color to outdoor events and festivals

2010-06-01T06:36:00.000-07:00

No reason to be colorless with your outdoor event designs because there are several attractive and well performing canopies, display hardware products, mesh backdrops, wings and banner choices available for outdoor events and festivals.

The ability to brand these items with colorful, high quality digitally printed graphics is pretty amazing. Event organizers also have the ability to use branding (printing) on the easier to change out areas to control costs. Many make use of the great surface areas provided for projection, colored lighting, etc. in the evening hours.

Some of the nicest stage backdrops at music festivals are essentially just large, tensioned mesh banners with digitally printed graphics. A webbing can be sewn into the perimeter of the banner and tension cables can be used to pull the backdrop tight to the corners of the stage structure. Stage lighting from the sides can further enhance the effect.

Another take on this idea is to used tensioned fabric "wings" which are more interesting shapes (triangles, trapeziums, etc.) often with the sides scalloped inward. Here are a couple of the standard patterns available from our company Moss Inc below.

For festivals where vendors are using canopies or tents in a village setting, there are some new options that can make you really stand out from the crowd. The ability to digitally print these surfaces means the color matching (Pantones) and the graphic design content are almost unlimited including use of photographic images.

The two flavors of temporary outdoor structures you'll see at most festivals are the easy to deploy pop-up canopies and the more interesting tent designs like the Optidome. Either type can have digital printing, banners added, printed side walls, etc to bring it to life.

Lastly, there are some great options in outdoor display hardware like bow flags, teardrop flags, tall portable flag poles and large portable billboards with weighted bases, etc. Each of these uses some method to release wind pressure to keep from blowing over. Many rotate like a sail in the wind while others take advantage of mesh fabrics and springs.

If you'd like to learn more about what is possible with outdoor event stage sets and festival vendor displays from (the company I work for) Moss Inc., please contact your Moss Account Executive or your area Moss Dealer. A Moss display hardware catalog is available online. The outdoor displays start on Page 15.

How to make quoting a custom tension fabric structure or graphic quicker, easier

2010-05-13T06:45:00.000-07:00

It can be frustrating for all parties involved to be asked to quote a custom project that is not well defined. That may seem like a simple concept but we see it happen often. Here are some simple, easy-to-use tips on how you can shorten quote times and make your quotes more accurate...

The best way for a customer and their client to receive a quick, accurate quote for any project is to provide preliminary specifications and a sketch. If you know an expected date and a budget goal those are also very helpful. Sure they may change or evolve but we have to start somewhere.

This means sitting down for a quick meeting to sketch it and to put dimensions on the shapes before you contact the fabricator to ask for a quote (price). As the producer, you also need to define how it will be used. Will it be indoors or outdoors? Will it hang, attach to a wall or free stand? How does it need to pack, store and ship?

If you just want to talk about possibilities, material choices or to receive ideas - a custom fabricator can help you with advice. After that process ends, you need to do a sketch and put dimensions on it to get a price. Don't expect the fabricator to do this for you. It is your responsibility as "the producer" on custom projects! Don't hesitate. Just do it.

Specifications needed to get an accurate, quick quote include the height, width and depth dimensions. If you have the ability to draw in a CAD program, arc lengths and angles for corners are very helpful. If not, putting a depth dimension on the shape helps to figure this out when your sketch goes to estimating.

Rough "napkin" sketches with good dimensions can be very useful to start the quoting process at least in the ballpark range.

The ability (and experience) to produce custom work is very often what separates the best exhibit, event and retail interior companies from the crowd (those who only resell standard products). So don't hold back if that's your goal! Call the fabricator to find out what is possible - and then start sketching and putting dimensions on those shapes. You'll be amazed at what happens when you do.

New Fabric choices: non-stock, specialty items

2010-05-12T13:12:00.000-07:00

In addition to the new Fabric Effects line, Moss Inc. has recently added new specialty fabrics choices. Some of them include:

Eco Sheer: 50 percent recycled / 50 percent regular poly sheer, printable.
Dye Sub Cotton: 100 percent cotton, coating accepts dye sub printing.
Thermo-chromic Vinyl: a vinyl that changes color with heat (touch).
Gold Metal Sheen: printable for high contrast, metallic graphics on fabric.
Silver Metal Sheen: printable for high contrast, metallic graphics on fabric.
Wide Poly Duck: a heavy, stiff fabric good for gravity tension banners.
Moss Ceiling Mesh: a printable, stretch mesh approved for ceilings.

Specialty (non-stock) fabrics require a longer lead time. Please contact your Moss Account Executive to learn more. A contact list is provided here.

Fabric Effects: create something unique for your exhibit or display

2010-05-11T07:45:00.000-07:00

Included in the new Fabric Effects line from Moss Inc. there are several fabrics with special functions: fabrics that can be wiped clean, that have an antimicrobial surface and that block sound.

Also included in the line are several fun fabrics such as Glitter Denim, a faux Leather, and Wild Cat - a leopard-print velvet in bold colors.

All of the fabrics in the line can be used with Moss extrusions including EZ Fabric Wall, Moss Groove and Moss Max (*with Groove converter). Several of the fabrics mimic a hard panel, high-end finish when used with the extrusions.

To learn more about Fabric Effects, please contact your Moss Account Executive.

Tips for an easier install and a better presentation

2010-04-09T07:22:00.001-07:00

Here are some simple tips that I've learned by experience for an easier install (of any display):

1. Read the set-up instructions and look at the drawings carefully before starting. Follow them as you go. You might think you don't need to - but it will keep you from making mistakes and having to redo work. That saves time. Nothing worse than getting half way into an install and realizing you need to take something apart and redo it.

2. Think about wire management as soon as you have assembled your frames. Even before you connect them to each other if you have a modular system. This will allow you to run your wires first and in the right places. Then you can worry about connections and graphics. If it's a complicated setup, write down some notes for next time and keep with the set-up instructions. Don't just leave it to memory. Big time saver!

3. If you have HD monitors in your exhibit, use the digital connection and a HD or up-converting source. Otherwise it's a waste. Those monitors aren't really displaying HD if you don't use the correct setup. There is a tremendous quality difference in the sharpness of the video between HD and SD. Your attendees will notice so do it right.

4. If you are working a big show, pick an experienced I&D company and work with the same crew each time. They should be knowledgeable of the exhibit systems that you use. (Ask them.) Don't just stand around and watch - work with them and listen to what they say. They'll give you great information that you can use!

5. Watch for the details and tighten up everything before showtime. Look for pieces of tape that weren't removed, things out of alignment, cables that are showing, graphics that need to adjusted, anything that needs to be cleaned or wiped down. These can all really detract from an otherwise attractive display. During the event, watch for clutter building up and remove it. Keep it simple and clean!

Moss Inc. launches new display hardware product line

2010-04-06T07:41:00.000-07:00

Moss Inc. has launched a new display hardware line supported by a catalog, individual product slicks, a dealer (non-branded) website. A new dealer price list and showroom demos are available through a Moss Account Executive.

The new Moss Inc. display hardware products are extensive. They are designed for indoor and outdoor events requiring a minimal amount of set-up and take down time. Most products are backed by a Hassle Free Guarantee (lifetime) or a 1 year warranty.

Moss has lowered display hardware pricing and improved quality making these products a great value to clients.

Display hardware and fabric graphics are the "meat and potatoes" of many small events and tradeshows. Fabric graphics make Moss Inc.'s display hardware products lighter weight; quicker to set-up and take down; easier to ship and store; and more durable over the long run.

The new display hardware products from Moss Inc. include:

QuickFab - fabric pop-up displays
Backlit QuickFab - 10ft curve only*
Adjustable Frame & Premier Stand - fabric backdrop displays
Classic 1 & 2 - retractable banner stands
Classic 3.5 - retractable banner stand
Value Stand - an economy, retractable banner stand
V1 & V2 - a fixed banner stand
Impression - a fixed banner stand
Rapid Stand - a fixed banner stand
Pop-Up Counter - a fabric pop-up podium
Entasi Podiums - tension fabric podiums
Entasi Table Tops - tension fabric table top displays
Table Covers - tension, fitted and draped fabric table graphics
Show Clips - simple, economical way to hang fabric banners

The new Outdoor display hardware products include:

Flex Banners - teardrop and bow flag displays
EZ Flag - economical flags for outdoor events
Jumbo Flag - a tall, large flag with water weighted base
Jumbo Sign - a large outdoor backdrop w/ water weighted base
Display Tent - a quick shade canopy for small events
Optidome - a Moss original tent design for events
Table Covers - see above

To learn more about the new display hardware products from Moss Inc., please contact your Moss Account Executive.

Moss Linear Expressions: the inline exhibit just got a big upgrade

2010-03-29T13:40:00.000-07:00

NOTE: Moss Configurations has been renamed Linear Expressions to avoid confusion with another manufacturer's brand. New catalogs with the new name are currently being printed. They will soon be available online at www.mossinc.com

The trend in exhibiting over the last couple of years has been for exhibitors to go into smaller exhibit spaces to reduce show costs and to allow them to keep going to the same number of tradeshows as in past years.

Moss has a new "signature" inline system named Linear Expressions. It is designed to take the newest and best building materials Moss offers and to apply them toward smaller exhibit spaces. Simply put: it was designed to give exhibitors a high end appearance in a smaller inline exhibit space.

The designs include 10 ft and 20 ft inline designs that combine the company's classic round tubing and pillowcase tension fabric covers (for canopies and curved accent panels) with newer extrusion based fabric graphic systems (for wall panels and light boxes).

Each type of framing is used where it works best. The results are stunning. Everything is dialed in and ready to go make an impression at events.

Because these inline exhibits are pre-designed, they are supported by rendering files and layout templates. This makes putting them into client proposals and having artwork prepared by graphic artists easier for the Moss dealer. It also reduces production time and costs.

To learn more about Linear Expressions, please visit your Moss dealer or contact your Moss Account Executive.

Photos from Exhibitor 2010

2010-03-19T08:09:00.001-07:00

The week before Exhibitor 2010, I posted a rendering of the Moss Inc. booth design. Below are photos from the show this week. Moss showed new and current standard products that can be ordered from us today. Most can be produced in 7 days or less from good art and a PO. The only custom element in our booth was the curved ribbon that arched over the booth. It was typical of the fabrication that we do on a daily basis out of our Chicago (Elk Grove Village) facility for our larger custom exhibit house partners.

Wide Shot of Moss Booth #1135 at Exhibitor 2010. Custom Moss Classic round tubing free form ribbon arches overhead. Moss Quarter Lightbar out front as reception desk. Moss Circle Sign overhead. Moss new Curved EZ Fabric Walls on left. Highboy table in center of booth. The new Moss 20ft Configurations inline in back.

The Moss Hanging Sign. The original and still the best.

New EZ Fabric Wall curved. Each wall section is a 45 degree radius bend. Highboy table in the center.

New Moss Configurations inline: this is one of 10 designs in our new signature design system. It's a synergy of our best building materials. EZ Fabric Walls + Moss Classic Round Tubing + Moss Groove Light Box. Supported by CAD rendering files, layout templates and catalog. Only sold through Moss Dealers.

Back of Moss Booth #1135 at Exhibitor 2010. Moss EZ Fabric Wall being used in the new Configurations 20ft inline. Custom Moss Classic round tubing forms arching free form ribbon overhead. EZ Wall with internal light kit (Get Hooked) on right in orange glow. Moss Circle Sign hangs above new Curved EZ Walls and Highboy in background on right.

NOTE: Moss tradeshow exhibiting products are sold through Moss dealers in USA, Canada and Europe. A Moss AE can make a referral to your local Moss dealer if you are an end-user client seeking Moss tradeshow exhibiting products. The Moss contact page can be found at: http://mossinc.com/contactus/default.aspx

Preview of the Moss Inc. booth design for Exhibitor 2010

2010-03-08T08:59:00.001-08:00

Above is a rendering of Moss Inc.'s exhibit design for Exhibitor 2010, March 15-17 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV. Moss Inc is booth # 1135. We look forward to seeing the many tradeshow and event professionals who attend this yearly gathering of our industry leaders. Please make a point of seeing us and saying hello.

Moss will be showing new products including:

• A new inline signature system for 10x10 and 10x20 spaces
• A new display hardware product line
• New curved EZ Fabric Wall panels
• Moss Groove Light Boxes
• Rental products
• Beautiful PhotoFabric printing and new fabric choices

To learn more about Moss Inc., please visit http://www.mossinc.com

Moss rentals for designing stage sets (events)

2010-02-18T12:51:00.000-08:00

Moss Inc. offers an extensive rental product line to Event producers that lends itself toward building interesting stage sets at a competitive price. Moss rentals have unprinted white fabric covers which are very receptive to theatrical lighting - colors, effects, patterns, etc. The 3d shapes can also be internally lit to make them glow. Moss rental products can freestand and/or hang depending on the shape. Moss Inc. can be found online at: http://www.mossinc.com

(Photos courtesy of our event industry partners. Moss Inc. provided rental products and consultation but is not responsible for the stage designs in most cases. Our event industry partners offer design services.)

What drives you?

2010-01-26T08:14:00.000-08:00

Moss Inc. is obsessed with our quality, customer service and innovation. It's what drives us every day from top-to-bottom. It's what we talk about and strive for. It's the focus of every company training session that we have.

Our over riding goal is to make products that are better quality, better designed, better supported and that last longer in the field. We constantly push to innovate so that tension fabric can be used in new exciting ways - fabric graphics, display hardware, portable-modular exhibits, hanging signs, rentals, extrusion based systems and custom projects.

Sometimes our innovations are in small details like finding a better framing material or creating a new construction method. Sometimes it's as simple as the thread we use to sew, the inks we use to print or the weave of the fabric we use to make a cover. Often times, it's in the way we listen to our customers and the time we take to explain our products and services.

We believe the details add up to something bigger at the end of the day and at the install. Our most loyal dealers and their clients do as well. It's what we have built our house on.

Moss Inc. and Superbowl XXXIX: a case study

2010-01-19T11:08:00.000-08:00

Moss tensioned fabric creations are used in many types of settings - meetings, conventions, corporate events, tradeshows, museum exhibits, experiential marketing tours and sporting events. With the Superbowl 44 just around the corner, the case study below from Superbowl 39 seemed like a good one to share...

It details a 30 foot tall version of the Lombardi Trophy (actual trophy by Tiffany & Co. is 22 inches tall). Moss fabricated the structure working with Subject Matter Design and Infinite Scale Design for the NFL. The giant fabric structure was used as a VIP entrance in Jacksonville, FL. It weighed 1,500 lbs.

As fans entered, they were treated to nostalgic images of famous football moments from the history of the NFL. The interior walls of the fabric and frame trophy structure were printed on polyester fabric. The outside walls depicted a subtle impression of the NFL logo that glowed at night with different lighting effects.

It's a great example of the power of large tensioned fabric structures to transform existing spaces. They have the ability to change the event environment from the ordinary into something truly special and memorable. (Click on image below to see case study as full screen.)

The "Moss Hanging Sign" is still a core product in 2010

2009-12-29T08:39:00.000-08:00

In the tradeshow industry, you will sometimes hear the term "Moss Sign" used for all fabric hanging signs much like "Xerox Copy" is used for all photocopies. This synonym usage is due to Moss Inc.'s founder Bill Moss being the originator of the tensioned fabric structure for exhibiting and the company's history of popularizing the product around the world.

The Moss Sign has become a staple product for exhibitors at trade shows and exhibitions and continues to grow in proportions, options and customization. In recent years, the same tensioned fabric hanging sign construction has seen an explosion in popularity for corporate events, ceiling treatments in public spaces, stage sets, experiential marketing tours and as permanent signage in retail stores.

Moss Inc. produces the highest quality, longest lasting tension fabric hanging signs that money can buy - period. It is very common for an original Moss frame to be "re-skinned" with new graphic covers many times during it's lifetime. This legendary frame durability is also what allows Moss to offer a rental program. When the lids come off the crates at show site, experienced I&D teams immediately recognize the Moss logo on the black canvas bags and breath a little easier.

Tensioned fabric's advantages in the field of being light weight, quick to set-up and small to pack down are undeniable. This has made tensioned fabric structures a popular construction method - not only for hanging signs but for floor supported structures as well. For many designers and architects however, it's the look that makes tensioned fabric construction the most attractive choice. It's the textures, opacity or opaqueness, the vibrant colors and printing, the massive scale and the 3-D shapes that can be achieved.

So how does the Moss Inc. brand stand out then in 2010? Simply with better quality, service and innovation. Moss partners with the best Exhibit houses and Event producers in the world. No other manufacturer of tensioned fabric structures offers the Moss experience, capability or support.

Moss tradeshow exhibiting products are sold through Moss Dealers only. You can find Moss Inc. online at: http://www.mossinc.com

EZ Fabric Wall system can noticeably improve sound for meeting rooms

2009-12-22T08:02:00.000-08:00

The EZ Fabric Wall system is designed to allow the option for 2 blocking layers in each wall. The block material blocks sound and light. The big payoff for the inside of meeting rooms is that you achieve a 10 decibel reduction from the outside sound level. This can be perceived as much as a 50 percent reduction! That can make a bid difference in the quality of meetings that can take place for the exhibitor and attendees.

To learn more about the EZ Fabric Wall system, please contact your Moss Dealer! More information about the EZ Fabric Wall System can also be found on this blog and you can visit Moss Inc.

New video demonstration of EZ Fabric Walls

2009-12-14T07:43:00.000-08:00

Wow!!! Moss has a new video on YouTube showing the EZ Fabric Wall system including a time-lapse sequence. It's helpful at explaining the benefits of the system, how things work and go together. Please check it out below:

To learn more about EZ Fabric Walls, please contact your Moss account team. There is a PDF directory on the Moss website at: http://mossinc.com/workingwithus/findrep.aspx

Moss CAD files are available online for designers

2009-12-09T06:48:00.000-08:00

Did you know that Moss makes most of their products available as CAD files for Exhibit and Event Designers to use as tools? It makes putting that Moss Shape into client proposals easier.

Resources available include some of the most popular Moss product lines:

- Moss Rentals (tensioned fabric structures)
- Moss Shapes (tensioned fabric structures)
- EZ Fabric Walls: individual wall sizes
- EZ Fabric Wall configurations: 10x20, 20x30, 30x30, 30x50
- NLINE: 10x10, 10x20

Most Moss CADs are available as either a ".dwg" or a ".dxf" file. If you don't see the resource you need on the Moss Downloads page linked below, please ask your Moss AE or PSM for help. They can get you what you need to complete your rendering for the client.

The Moss downloads page can be found at: http://www.mossinc.com/downloads/

Four new designs highlighted from EZ Fabric Walls

2009-11-10T07:40:00.001-08:00

The four new design examples here - 10x20, 20x30, 30x30 and 30x50 - from the Moss EZ Fabric Walls catalog may look custom. But they are modular with a limited number of custom elements and reconfigurable into new designs as a result.

The Moss EZ Fabric Wall system features walls that can stack and/or connect side-by-side with corners to make just about any usable exhibiting space - rooms, walls, towers, storage areas, media walls, kiosks, etc.

Because EZ Fabric Walls are easy and quick to I&D plus lightweight, there is a cost of ownership savings over the lifetime of the exhibit. Site labor savings, drayage and shipping costs can all be reduced using this new system.

Unique features to the Moss wall system include tensioned fabric graphics; sound and light absorbing liners; an internally lighted wall kit; fabric graphic skins to run across multiple walls; hidden monitor walls (i.e. flat panel monitors built into the walls); wire management; an adjustable angle corner post; accessory mounting between walls; surface mounted monitors, brackets and shelves; a cable wire standoff shelf system; attachment options to other structures; freestanding plate feet; and more.

Moss is able to provide a turn key solution for our dealers to sell to their clients - or to customize as they wish. Moss dealers please contact your Moss AE for more information about EZ Fabric Walls.

CAD files for exhibit designers can be found at: http://mossinc.com/ezfabriccadfiles/

New break apart side sections available for EZ Fabric Walls

2009-11-04T06:31:00.000-08:00

Moss Inc. has added a break apart customization to the side sections of EZ Fabric Walls. This means smaller projects fit in smaller (shorter) cases. For larger projects, Moss has an "over pack" cardboard box tray system and a crate solution (with sliders) available.

The new break apart option is particularly applicable to projects for 3 wall sections (10 ft w), 2 wall sections (6.5 ft w) and standalone walls to be used as a kiosks. For these type of applications, a shorter case can be the norm so the break apart customization will be desirable.

There are some really nice accessories and unique design features in EZ Fabric Walls that make these smaller configurations appealing. They include: a built-in the wall "hidden" monitor kit; a wire cable standoff shelf kit; an internal lighting kit (for full size walls); oval headers; arm lights; flat panel monitor mount; F-bracket shelves; base plates; clips; wire management; spanner bars...etc.

Please contact your Moss AE for more information. I've included shop photos below that may be inspirational to designers when thinking about using EZ Fabric Walls for client proposals. Moss has CAD files available online at: http://mossinc.com/downloads/

(Thanks Judy Zapolski and Ken Dickison for sharing photos.)

Moss Event Backdrops on GreenKnit fabric have photographic themes

2009-10-28T07:49:00.000-07:00

Moss recently changed the way Event backdrops look and are made by offering digitally printed, high-resolution images of photographic themes on GreenKnit fabric. The images apply to many possible event themes. They are available for 1-month (long) and 1-week (short) rental periods.

Moss Event Backdrops are printed using non-solvent inks on eco-friendly Moss Green Knit with a 60-percent recycled fiber content. Moss GreenKnit saves energy: for every pound of yarn produced, 61,000 BTU's are conserved vs. regular non-recycled yarn - the equivalent to .5 gallons of gasoline.

Traditional event backdrops are often hand painted or airbrushed and as a result they can have a more fantasy-like look to them. These new modern backdrops from Moss are shockingly photorealistic which is a new twist. They are available in 3 sizes for rentals: 10 ft W x 8 ft H; 20 ft W x 10 ft H; and 40 ft W x 20 ft H.

A free standing frame is available for the 10 ft x 8 ft size. The larger sizes have attachment points at the top for hanging from trusses, ceilings and walls. For more info, please contact your Moss AE. NOTE: All images in Moss Rental Catalog pages shown here are copyright protected. They should not be copied or used by third parties.

Moss EZ Fabric Walls demo

2009-10-27T18:39:00.000-07:00

Above are a couple of images of the new Moss EZ Fabric Walls demo that is available to Moss Dealers for their showrooms. It features 3 wall sections, an adjustable angle corner, a shelf accessory, a multi-panel printed graphic and sound/light block liners. If you're interested, please contact your Moss AE for more information including pricing. To learn more about Moss EZ Fabric Walls, please visit: http://johndlindsey.blogspot.com/2009/09/ez-fabric-walls.html

EZ Fabric Walls

2009-09-23T06:32:00.001-07:00

Here's a link to the catalog download: http://mossinc.com/downloads/MossEZFabCatalog.pdf

Moss CADs are available for exhibit and event designers including Shapes, Rentals and new EZ Fabric Walls at: http://mossinc.com/downloads/

Moss Exhibiting Case Studies

2009-08-31T08:53:00.001-07:00

New backlit option for OneFabric available

2009-08-10T12:46:00.000-07:00

The Moss OneFabric pop-up now has a backlit option for the 4x3 flat and 4x3 curved (10 ft W x 7.5 ft H) frames. The new system is basically a fabric "light blanket" that attaches to the back of the Moss OneFabric pop-up frame. It has a hard plastic shipping case to organize and store the lighting system in when it's not being used.

Using the florescent light blanket makes the OneFabric graphic glow or have extra "pop" depending on the ambient lighting level.

The Backlit OneFabric is something new and interesting for the fabric pop-up display category this fall. Many clients like fabric pop-up displays because they set up and take down very quickly and easily.

The Moss stretch fabric graphic stays attached to the frame unlike traditional pop-up displays which use laminated panels that must be taken off and rolled up for storage. This feature makes a fabric pop-up one of the easiest and fastest inline exhibit solutions available today.

Bonus Exhibit Tip: The Pop-Up podium from Moss compliments the OneFabric display for those clients that would like an upgrade from the more basic "case-to-podium" conversion. It's shown below. This podium features that same type of "pop-up" frame and stretch fabric graphic as the OneFabric. In other words the stretch fabric graphic stays on the frame even when the display is packed down.

Summer, summer, summertime...

2009-07-10T08:23:00.000-07:00

When summertime rolls around and going into the fall, clients may have a need for outdoor display hardware solutions, banners, digital flags, wings, tents or canopies. These solutions could be for a festival, a series of outdoor events, seasonal outdoor signage, the annual company cookout, a charity golf tournament, or tailgating at the race or the game. Moss offers both purchase and rental options. If the fabric graphic is custom printed, then that part of the project will be a purchase but the frame may still be rented in many cases. Here are some ideas below. If these are of interest, please contact us for more information. We'd love to help you make your client's summer or fall outdoor events a success!

Summer promotion on Moss display hardware

2009-07-07T07:28:00.000-07:00

Summer Promotion on Display Hardware

Moss announced a summer promotion on select sizes of OneFabric (fabric pop-up) and Branstand1 & 2 (retractable banner stand).

Moss delaers should contact their Moss AE to learn more about it. The promotional pricing is good while supplies last. Supplies are limited. (Don't wait!)

http://www.mossinc.com/pdfs/WebsiteContactMatrix.pdf

New Moss Rental Catalog is available as PDF

2009-07-01T07:28:00.000-07:00

Moss has a new Rental Catalog available for download as a PDF file. The new Moss Rents catalog features new products and combines two previously different catalogs into one location. Moss Dealers can download it from the Moss website at:

http://mossinc.com/downloads/RentalCatalog.pdf

Moss operates two rental depots: one in Las Vegas and another in Chicago. Moss offers 30 Day Rentals for trade shows and Short Term Rentals for 1-2 day events. Moss can deliver to your I&D company if they are located in the Las Vegas or Chicago city limits for no charge. This is a great way to save on your shipping costs.

Renting rather than purchasing exhibits helps Moss dealers stretch their client's budgets. It is also taking a wise step toward Green Exhibiting when the trade show or event is located in either Las Vegas or Chicago. Moss is working on adding future cities to our rental program in the near future.

Moss extrusions and tensioned graphics put a new face on fabric

2009-06-08T15:17:00.000-07:00

Above is a presentation about Moss extrusions and stretch fabric systems including Moss Max, Moss Groove and Moss Light Box. It's a Quicktime file that I exported from Keynote.

One of the main differences between Moss Max and Moss Groove is the amount of framing that is exposed. Moss Max has a beefier, heavier look with more frame showing while Moss Groove hides the frames from the front view. Both types of graphics are easy to install and change out using your fingers and no tools.

These new systems from Moss allow for some really exciting design possibilities that provide a different look from the "Classic" Moss tensioned fabric structures which have zip-on covers over light weight, round tubing frames.

Moss Max features a graphic with a small diameter round rubber bead sewn into the perimeter of the stretch fabric panel. It inserts into the center of the extrusion allowing the frame to show. Moss Groove features a graphic with a flat rubber gasket sewn into the perimeter of the stretch fabric panel. It inserts into the edge of the metal extrusion covering the framing from being seen except from the side or at a corner connection column.

A basic rule of thumb with frame design is that square extrusions make straight, right angled (rectilinear) shapes best and round tubing achieves organic, curving shapes more efficiently.
Using Moss Extrusions and Moss Classic round tubing you can use each for what it does best - and connect it all together using Moss Clips and Adapter Plates.

Some designers will also push the limits by having Moss bend the square extrusions for curvature. Moss has the ability to bend both Moss Max and Moss Groove in those cases where it's desired - up to 40 mm thick in the United States and up to 80 mm thick overseas.

The ability to internally light Moss extrusions with stretch graphic panels is really exciting. The new Moss Light Box extrusion is made specifically for this application. A new Stretch Glow fabric allows the Light Box extrusion to be relatively thin without a diffuser fabric layer. Moss is fabricating Light Blankets that hang inside the extrusions holding florescent tube lights. The spacing of the loops in the Light Blanket allow the brightness of the light to be customized.

Like to learn more? Please contact us.

Moss offers Digital Offset fabric graphics for signage

2009-05-26T09:09:00.001-07:00

The Moss - Salt Lake facility offers Digital Offset fabric printing. It is a unique method for producing superior quality fabric graphics at a reasonable cost. Moss' customized equipment allows for as few as 20-50 banners to be produced at pricing comparable to large volume runs. An extensive selection of fabrics and the ability to color manage individual elements of a graphic, provide unrivaled options and accuracy. Moss also offers finishing options like hems, grommets, sleeves, dowels, notches, custom cuts, screw eyes, Velcro, magnets sewn in, ceiling clips, hanging wires...etc. Fulfillment options are also available.

Moss keeps over 10 different fabrics in stock, ranging from a heavy durable poly duck to a sheer flowing voile. All stock materials are available flame retardant. When a proof is required, Moss can have it in your hands just 2 days after receiving good art. Proofs are only $15 and Moss can produce as many as you need. With this exclusive sublimation technology, Moss is able to produce fabric graphics that are vibrant in color and true to the original art.

Larger Digital Offset jobs for Moss have gone into 4,000-5,000 range. These were for fabric banners that can be seen hanging at major retail locations across the world. The very same quality can be accessed at quantities as low as 20-50 per design. Details are below:

Digital Offset requirements

Minimum of 50 quantity per design
Minimum of 3 square feet per print
Max size: 4’x10’

Digital Offset - Grand Format requirements

Minimum of 20 quantity per design
Minimum height and width both greater than 4 ft
Max size: 10’x30’

Using Moss GreenKnit can help toward LEED Certification

2009-05-20T06:33:00.001-07:00

Moss GreenKnit was Moss's first Green fabric option for Tensioned Fabric Structures. We also now have Green SuperStretch. These fabrics are really exciting because they have 59-60 percent of their yarn made from 100 percent post consumer recycled plastics (used water bottles, soda bottles, etc.). These fabrics digitally dye sublimate (PhotoFabric print) beautifully. The cost for using GreenKnit as a cover on a Tensioned Fabric Structure is 5 percent higher than non-Green fabric choices. For stand alone banners it is closer to 15 percent higher than non-Green fabric choices.

In fact, the prints on Moss GreenKnit and Green SuperStretch are so good, we may have to come up with a special label or small logo to print on them to distinguish them from other non-Green fabrics. No joke. They are that good. Moss GreenKnit and SuperStretch are stock fabrics meaning they are kept in stock for quick turn around on projects. We also have new recycled content fabrics available as non-stock including Eco-Grid (100 percent recycled poly), Eco Media (biodegradable) and Acoustical Liners (high recycled content).

Being Green in the big picture however is more than just recycling - it's about reducing energy use (and waste) which reduces CO2 emissions. CO2 is the stuff that is produced by burning fuel in power plants and motorized vehicles. It is heating up the planet (oceans and air) according to many scientists today and could have catastrophic effects on the climate worldwide in just a few years. This concerns a lot of people. Others are skeptical. Moss stands on the side of doing something about it now rather than waiting. Seven carbon units are eliminated in the production of the recycled yarn in Moss GreenKnit. That is the equivalent to 61,000 BTU's or .5 gallons of gasoline per pound of yarn.

Using Moss GreenKnit can contribute toward LEED Material and Resource Credits. This would most likely be the concern of architects and builders since LEED is a certification provided by the US Green Building Council. However, for exhibit builders and event producers it's also a good measurement to use until we see Green certification processes established in those fields.

On a side note, Moss is doing our part to be Green beyond just offering Green products. Here are some of the steps we have taken so far:

• Our Photo Fabric Dye-Sublimation printing is produced without the use of solvent inks.
• All aluminum scrap is recycled at our three manufacturing plants.
• All paper, cardboard and shipping tubes are recycled at our three plants.
• Moss offers a rental program – encouraging our customers to rent rather than buy and discard after limited use.
• The Moss Belfast plant uses BioHeat instead of standard heating oil.
• The Moss Salt Lake City plant uses swamp coolers instead of air conditioners.
• Moss has been a part of the State of Maine’s Step-Up program since 2002. The Step-Up Program provides a progression businesses can follow to become environmentally sustainable and to become leaders in the business community.

---

LEED is an internationally recognized certification system that measures how well a building or community performs across all the metrics that matter most: energy savings, water efficiency, CO₂ emissions reduction, improved indoor environmental quality, and stewardship of resources and sensitivity to their impacts. To learm more about LEED Certification, please visit: http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CategoryID=19

Want to learn more about Green Exhibiting? Please visit Tom Bowman aka Mr. Green at Exhibitor Magazine's website. He writes a column named: Ask Mr. Green.

Moss Fabric Structures for Ceiling Treatments

2009-05-19T10:52:00.000-07:00

One of the fun things about working for Moss is that we see a lot of different types of custom projects. We recently had the opportunity to quote an array of curved fabric structures to permanently hang from the ceiling of a convention center. The array of fabric panels will make a beautiful wave, ribbon like pattern. The panels are designed to reflect light back down toward the floor and to absorb sound using an acoustical liner material. It's the synergy of the form and function that makes the project's public funding accessible.

I've posted a couple of slides showing photos from past projects that Moss has produced for ceiling treatments. We used these slides in our presentations for the convention center project that I was describing above. If Moss can help you with a ceiling treatment project for a permanent installation, we have the experience, the capacity and the passion. Your ceiling treatment design can be both beautiful and functional for light and sound improvements.

The Case for Long Shots - excerpt from article

2009-05-19T07:03:00.000-07:00

Here's an excerpt from an article about our company founder Bill Moss...

"Lightweight, easy-to-handle, bug- and weather-resistant tents did not always exist. One day in 1956, an unexpected squall drenched an artist and inventor named Bill Moss — who was then working as an illustrator for the magazine Ford Times, published by the Ford Motor Company — just as he was painting a portrait of a freshly caught trout by a stream in Michigan. He had no way to shelter his easel, but he did have several fishing poles with him. In a burst of inspired resourcefulness, he punched their handles into the soft soil to form a rough circle, tied their tips together, and spread his poncho over them to form an impromptu dome."

That's right. Moss started as a tent company. Moss didn't become a Tensioned Fabric exhibits provider until the 1980's. To read the entire article written by J. Baldwin, please visit the Strategy+Business website at:

http://www.strategy-business.com/press/16635507/06303

New Moss Lightbox photos

2009-05-14T14:30:00.000-07:00

Moss Inc. expands Moss Groove line with new light box technology. The new light box is super sleek and adds pop and emphasis to printed fabric graphics. The extrusion based light boxes assemble quickly and can be made to be 1 or 2-sided. Stretch fabric graphic changeouts are very easy and do not require tools - just use your fingers to push a rubber strip into a track or to pull it out. Florescent tubes are daisy chained together in a "light blanket" inside of the box. The blanket lends a uniform glow to illuminate the graphics. Light Boxes can be floor supported or wall-mounted graphics to give maximum impact. Sizes are customizable. The new stretch glow fabric allows the distance between the lights and fabric to be reduced without hot spots. I'm getting my sample here in a couple of weeks. Call or e-mail if you want me to bring it by for a demo! JL

(Please note any appearance of curvature in the photos is due to distortion by the camera lense. These boxes have square corners and are straight sided.)

Moss is working on a new Rental catalog

2009-05-12T08:56:00.000-07:00

I have it on good authority from our Marketing Team that Moss is working on a new Rental catalog featuring new Shapes, Backdrops and more. Will try to post new catalog images when it is released!

Moss isn't just about the big projects; we do small exhibits well too!

2009-05-12T08:26:00.001-07:00

Moss isn't just about major projects and large budgets. Yes we do a lot of them and some are really amazing - but we have great portable/modular and display hardware products like Entasi, Allure, NLINE and Pop-Up Podium. Our Moss - Salt Lake facility is still one of the largest printers of Digitally Dye Sublimated Fabric Banners in North America. These are exceptional solutions for small-to-medium sized clients with budgets. They help clients stand out from the crowd and enjoy an easier set up and take down. It could be a project for a regional trade show, a local event or a small retail store display. These Moss products are well designed, durable and beautiful. If you don't think of Moss first in the Portable/Modular and Display Hardware categories, we'd like to change that by working with you in them.

Moss Museum Photos

2009-05-11T12:27:00.000-07:00

These photos above are from a Magna Carta exhibit that Moss - Salt Lake produced in 2007. The designer on this project was Riggs Ward Design of Richmond, VA and the contractor was Capitol Exhibit Services. It turned out really beautifully. This exhibit was featured in a major design journal later that year. It has the ability to break down and move location much more easily than a traditionally built hard wall exhibit.

Moss Event Photos

2009-05-11T09:38:00.001-07:00

Moss launched an Event Specific product line in 2008. We offer standard product rentals of useful things like columns, panels, light bar, etc. We also offer custom builds. Here are some photos. Because events are different from exhibits we have focused on making the new covers easier to zip on and off. We have also focused on making the frames quicker to assemble and disassemble. Event rentals are often unprinted - so the color and pattern comes from lighting. Many of the new shapes allow a LED light pack to fit inside them so they will glow.

Moss Event Photos

2009-05-11T08:37:00.001-07:00

Moss Exhibit Photos

2009-05-11T08:19:00.001-07:00

Moss Exhibitor Show 2009. We are showcasing 4 things: #1 Internally lit fabric panels using new Moss Stretch Glow fabric. #2 Bent Moss Groove panels. #3 Hidden Monitor Walls. #4 New powder coating options that look like wood grain, stone and other patterns.