Decorating Methods for Table Covers and Table Throws

Posted on August 28th, 2007 in Decorating Options by billg

How you have your image applied to your display table covers affects how your display looks, lead time for production, how long your covers will last and cost. Moving from cheapest to best, prices and delivery times naturally increase.
We have identified four main methods of putting identifying or decorative images on table throws commonly used for tradeshows, meetings or retail displays.
Cut vinyl heat applied graphics are usually the cheapest and relatively fast method for small quantity orders. We would only recommend this method for a temporary display with limited use. The image size is limited to the width of the vinyl which comes on a maximum width roll of 24″, thus the image will be not larger than 22″ high. Color selection is limited. Multi color designs are difficult to produce. The cover will not be able to be washed without damaging the image.
Screen printed graphics are a much better solution. It is a vinyl ink, similar to T-shirt ink that is screen printed onto fabric table covers. This will produce a table throw that will last for several years. It costs a little more to set up for screen printing so the price is more on small quantities. Screen printing is also good for producing large quantities of table covers economically. Multiple color designs can be printed and the color pallet is not limited. The covers may be laundered but care must be taken in drying, the imprint can be damaged by too much heat or excessive tumbling. We find screen printing to be the most economical for one or two color designs as well as larger quantity runs.
Full color DyeLux(tm) is a printing method we have seen that dyes the design right into the fabric. This method can produce images with unlimited number of colors, spot colors or process colors. The table covers can be washed, dried, or even dry cleaned. DyeLux(tm) imprints image size is almost unlimited as well. Just the front of the throw can be printed, or the entire cover, top front and sides. This is an outstanding method for printing small numbers of covers up to 50 or so, after that the price drops slowly although you still can’t beat the quality.
Sewn applique´ is a table cover decorating method that dates back to the era before reliable printing methods for fabric were available. Some folks still like the traditional appeal of this method. This actually involves cutting the design out of colored fabric and then sewing the cut out pieces onto the table cover to create the design. It is very labor intensive and therefore expensive. The design must be simple graphics. It is durable as long as the stitching holds up.

Table cover styles, form and function

Posted on July 10th, 2007 in Table Cover Styles by billg

How, where and what tables you use your table covers on and the material used will affect the style you want to purchase.
Most table covers used inside at trade shows, or for retail displays are made of knit polyester fabric. This material is made to drape nicely and resist wrinkles. Because of this property of knit polyester most folks get what is called a Draped Style. The draped style is one large piece of fabric that could actually be laid out flat on a large surface. When placed over a table the fabric on the corners gathers naturally forming a neat folding drape. The main advantage of the draped style is it’s versatility, it allows variation in table size which can be important if you do not always use the same tables. One venue’s eight foot table may not be exactly the same size as onother venue’s. The draped cover offers considerable leeway and will look presentable on tables that vary somewhat in size.
Another basic style commonly used the the Fitted Style. This is a box shaped cover that is constructed by cutting out the extra fabric at the corners of the table and sewing a seam to create sharp corner. Since this style is not forgiving of table size variations it is best if you use the same tables every time or confirm table dimensions if you are renting tables for your event.
The material used to make your covers can also influence the style. As noted above, knit polyester can be draped or fitted. This will also apply to nylon covers. Nylon is a little more stiff than knit polyester and will not drape as nicely, but the draped style will work with that fabric.
Reinforced vinyl table covers should only be purchased in the fitted style. This material is too stiff to drape at the corners. In fact is doesn’t even fold up easily after use. We encorage folks to look for vinyl covers with velcro closures at the corners, this allows for some minor variance in table sizes and also allows for easy folding for storage between events. Of course the vinyl is the most soil resistant table cover material we know of and that is the main reason to select this material, if your product or environment can be messy.
You may also specify covers by how many sides of the table are covered to the floor.
There are top and front covers that do just that, cover the top and front of the table.
Three sided covers cover the top and front as well as the ends of the table offering a little more privacy behind the table. This style still allows you to pull a chair up behind the table if you sit while working with your clients.
A four sided cover will cover all four sides to the floor offering the most private storage space under the table for literature or personal items.
Adjustable table covers are designed to be adaptable from an eight foot long table to a six foot long table. There are velcro tabs strategically located inside the fabric that will allow precise folding of the cloth to make the cover look good on either size table, with extra fabric neatly floded away. These covers are usually only made of the knit polyester fabric and are only available in the four sided style. The adjustable feature adds a little cost to a standard cover but is worth it if you come up against situations where you may get an eight foot table or a six foot table and still want to look your best.

Table Cover Fabric - How to choose?

Posted on June 27th, 2007 in Table Cover Fabric by admin

So you need a table cover for an up coming trade show or event. You pop up to google and search for trade show table covers. Up come a few sites that you poke around on that don’t really tell you why you would want to buy what is being offered to you. What is the difference between Knit Polyester, Poly Poplin, Nylon and Vinyl? Obliviously you can touch and feel these fabric and as luck would have it you really don’t have time to request samples. Does this sound familiar?

Well here is the quick and simple things you want to consider and look for.
1) Will you be using the table cover indoors, outdoors or both? If outdoors are you under a tent or out in the open.
– If you are indoors true fabrics like Knit Polyester are your best option. These fabric travel the best, are wrinkle resistant and most are fire retardant. All major conventions centers require fabrics used in trade show booth displays to be FR. Poly Poplin may also be a viable choice. The biggest difference in the two fabric is the weight (measured in ounces per square yard) and the ability of the fabric to resistance wrinkles. The weight of the fabric has a lot to do with both the durability and resistance to wrinkles. Most knit polyester fabrics are 12 oz per square yard. May poly poplins used for table cover are as low as 3.2 ounces. This means there is less yard in the fabric and it will not be as durable or drape as nicely as the more dense fabric.

2) If you are going to be outdoors and not protected from the elements you may want to consider either Nylon or Vinyl table covers. Both fabric will offer some protect from the weather for items stored under the table. Nylon tends to be a softer more flexible fabric and therefore easier to handle. Vinyl offers the ultimate is durability. I found these vinyl table covers and I must say for outdoor event they are the easier to setup and keep looking great from use to use.

To sum up what we have gone over:
If you are mostly indoor and when outdoors are under a tent or only setup short term get KNIT POLYESTER fabric for your table throws. You will not be disappointed.
If you need an athletic look or some added protect from the elements consider Nylon table covers.
If you need excellent durability, easy wipe off surface and can deal with the heavier covers consider Vinyl for your table covers