Fabric Care Guidelines

Fabric Graphics

General Handling of Fabric Graphics

  • Fabric graphics should always be handled in a clean, dry area with clean hands. When possible, use white fabric gloves.
  • Be sure fabric is clean and dry before packing.
  • Machine washing and/or drying is not recommended for all fabrics. Refer to chart below for a list of washable fabrics.

Emergency Stain Treatment (Fabric)

  • For dry stains, like loose dirt or pencil marks, use masking tape or Magic Eraser (dry, not moistened).
    • Masking tape or Magic Eraser (dry) can be quite effective at lifting dry, surface dirt. Try ‘pulling’ as much of stain away as you can. Avoid rubbing stain into fabric.
  • Introduce water or liquid cleaner for stains not responsive to masking tape or dry Magic Eraser.
    • When using liquids to treat stains, if at all possible, treat the stain with fabric off of the frame.
    • Place a clean dry cloth behind stain (to absorb stain while being treated). Moisten another cloth initially with just water (distilled water is optimal, if available).
    • Gently blot stain with moistened cloth (or small area of moistened Magic Eraser), while trying to push stain through to the back, using the dry cloth to absorb.
    • Repeat using care to keep the wet area as small as possible.
  • Grandma’s Secret Spot Remover can be an effective stain remover. Mix several drops in a small cup with clean water. Repeat above technique, taking care to keep wet area as small as possible and using dry cloth on back of stain to absorb.

Machine Washing of Fabric Graphics

  • Cold water/delicate cycle/tumble dry low or air dry. For stretch fabrics do not use dryer, let hang dry.
  • Use caution on dryer time with graphics containing liners. Its best to put tension fabric on frame when fabric is still damp and let it air dry. Always be sure that the aluminum frame is clean when mounting the damp graphic.
  • Stretch fabric graphics that are washed and machine dried may shrink up to 3/4” per every 50” of fabric in the direction of the stretch and shrink up to 1/4” in the non stretch direction.

UV Graphics

General Handling of Vinyl & UV Graphics

  • Vinyl banners and rigid graphics should always be handled in a clean, dry area with clean hands. When possible, use white fabric gloves.
  • Be sure vinyl/UV is clean and dry before packing. Always follow material handling and packing instructions included.
  • All vinyl materials should be rolled with graphics facing in to protect the graphic printed side. Roll on a tube if available.
  • Avoid folding materials to reduce the risk of crease lines and chipped inks. If a graphic must be folded, try to fold loosely and as few times as possible.

Emergency Stain Treatment (Fabric)

  • For dry stains, like loose dirt, pencil marks or adhesive, use masking tape. Masking tape can be quite effective at lifting dry, surface dirt. Try ‘pulling’ as much of stain away as you can and avoid rubbing the stain into the material.
  • When using Solvent to clean a stain be sure to avoid any image. Solvent is aggressive and will take the image off. Soapy water should be used at a ratio of 1 part Dawn®/10 parts water.
  • While using Windex® avoid scrubbing harshly. Too much pressure can fade the graphic print.

General Handling of Rollable PVC Panels

  • All mural panels, truss panels and detachables should be rolled with graphics facing out to protect the graphic printed side. Mural panels should be stored in the original plastic sleeves that are provided.

Machine Washing of Fabric Graphics

  • To avoid cracks in the ink or having to steam graphics, Backlit fabrics should be loosely folded with bubble wrap or stored around a tube.
  • Avoid folding the graphic tightly to store in a small bag or box.

Steaming Fabric Graphics

  • For optimal results, steam wrinkles when fabric is tensioned and installed securely on the frame.
  • Fill steamer with clean drinking water or distilled water. Avoid using water containing hard minerals.
  • Hold steamer upright and hold close to fabric. Avoid touching fabric with steamer.
  • Do not tip steamer as water drips may cause water marks to form on graphic.

Handling Reference Chart

Fabric

WASHING MACHINE DRY CLEAN SPOT CLEAN STEAMING/IRON MAGIC ERASER
RESILIENCE NO NO NO NO YES (ONLY ON WHITE)
OXFORD YES YES YES YES YES
3M + 5M POWER STRETCH YES YES YES YES YES
DISPLAY POLYESTER YES YES YES YES YES
DISPLAY POLY CONVERTABLE
TABLE THROW
YES
(MUST VELCRO THE TABS)
YES
(MUST VELCRO THE TABS)
YES YES YES
3M + 5M OUTDOOR FLAG YES N/A YES YES YES
CANVAS OUTDOOR NO NO YES STEAM ONLY YES
CANVAS LIGHTBOX NO NO NO STEAM ONLY YES
AGILITY YES YES YES (ONLY W/ 100% TENSION) YES
SUPER STRETCH YES YES YES (ONLY W/ 100% TENSION) YES
BACKLIT TEXTILE YES YES NO YES NO
3M + 5M ECLIPSE NO NO YES STEAM ONLY YES
3M + 5M SOFT KNIT YES YES YES YES YES
SHEER YES YES YES YES YES


Vinyl & Rollable

SOLVENT SOAPY WATER (DAWN®) WINDEX®
FLATMAX ONLY ON WHITE YES NO
OXFORD ONLY ON WHITE YES NO
3M + 5M POWER STRETCH ONLY ON WHITE YES NO
DISPLAY POLYESTER NO YES NO
DISPLAY POLY CONVERTABLE
TABLE THROW
NO YES YES
3M + 5M OUTDOOR FLAG NO YES YES

Download Fabric Care (PDF)