We would like to share our many years of knowledge about our products and their applications with you and have therefore founded the Berger Textiles Academy. In this academy we offer you interesting product trainings, trainings and workshops to the different areas.
Find out now about the main goals and contents. We look forward to meeting you.
Download our Printing on Textiles guide with useful tips and tricks
Textiles are subject to certain fluctuations in terms of weight, color, width, “handle” and other properties due to production. Therefore, only the same production batches should be processed together. Smaller stains, mesh defects or rows of tiles are unavoidable in production, they are typical textile properties and must be accepted.
In order to prevent damage (pressure points, upsets, etc.) textile rolls should be transported and stored lying flat on the ground. In the store-/warehouse should be this climate:
Temperature: 18 ° C to 30 ° C,
20 ° C to 22 ° C recommended
Humidity: 40% to 60% condensation-free,
50% to 55% recommended
Too high or too low humidity can have a clearly negative effect on the printing process, especially in the case of coated fabrics.
Fabrics made of synthetic yarns may shrink during washing and heating. The shrinkage values vary depending on material, construction and process (washing, steaming, calendering). A low shrinkage value is an important parameter of the Berger textiles, so they are prefixed. After fixation, the fabric dimension is fixed and remains the same. During sublimation process the material reheats, which can shrink the fabric in terms of length and width by about 1-3%. This residual shrinkage is unavoidable and the deviation of 1-3% is within the normal textile tolerance.
Recommendation: In the case of dimensionally sensitive products prior to final assembly, a voltage-free storage for approx. 24 hours at approx. 50% humidity should be ensured.
Empfehlung: Bei maß-sensiblen Produkten vor der Konfektionierung spannungsfreie Lagerung für circa 24 Stunden bei circa 50 % Luftfeuchtigkeit.
Flame retardant fabrics are either made of flame retardant yarns (e.g., TCS) or they are flame retardant coated. Examinations and certificates are valid for original delivered fabrics. Due to the different printing techniques and inks (transfer printing, direct printing, dispersion inks, UV curing inks, solvent inks, latex inks, etc.) and the various further processing (fixing, washing, assembling, …) it is impossible to make further statements about flame retardancy.
Recommendation: Processed fabrics or finished products should be tested in case of doubt.
Empfehlung: Verarbeitete Stoffe, bzw. gefertigte Endprodukte sollten im Zweifelsfall selbst getestet werden.
The print operation should always be observed to avoid damage to the printer or print head. Berger textiles are basically suitable for the specified printing processes. The print results and the color fastness are influenced by many factors and can not be guaranteed in general. These factors include printing processes, inks, drying, fixing, transport, storage, and climatic conditions. Therefore, each new combination or change of a single component must be tested by the user.
Calenders: In general, calenders should be equipped with an air suction system for transfer printing or for the fixing of dispersion inks. Residues of the equipment, the inks and the residual moisture from the textiles or the coatings can lead to evaporation. Usually the possible dangers and preventive measures are mentioned on the safety data sheets of the ink manufacturers. The textile must not be heated above 210 ° C, since otherwise a chemical decomposition with harmful or corrosive vapors may occur.
Contamination can be avoided if the calender is regularly cleaned and maintained. In order to keep the calender blank clean, a sufficiently strong protective paper should run on both sides and the fixing temperature should not exceed 195 ° C.
Sublimation Printing: When printing with sublimation dyes, migration or staining can occur after fixing, mainly by unfixed ink. The correct setting of the fixation (temperature, contact time, pressure, …), the appropriate media profile (temperature, ink application, …) and subsequent washout can significantly reduce these effects. The migration / staining can not be influenced by the material and therefore has to be tested for each combination.
The subsequent trimming / parting of wide rolls (e.g., 320 cm in 2 × 160 cm) is made at the customer’s request against calculation and at his risk. The cut can vary up to 1.5 cm in any direction. Due to the subsequent cut, the edge can appear wavy. Therefore, it should not be printed to the edge, because this may have to be cut or re-sewn. Cut goods are excluded from a complaint.
Textiles marked with “outdoor” can generally be used outdoors in the short term. A durability guarantee can not be given due to different weather and environmental influences.
The information given here is based on experience, tests and practical applications. Due to the large number of possible influences, self-tests are essential. A legally binding assurance of certain properties of the Berger products can not be derived from the above data.
Molton is a woven fabric, which is made of 100% cotton and is available in two grammages. The term Molton comes from the French (molleton) and means soft cotton fabric. A typical feature of the molton material is the fluffy surface, which is produced by an elaborate manufacturing process and has special properties: Molton is roughened on both sides.
Molton fabric: mattress support or stage material?
These fabrics are classed as either untreated molton fabrics or event molton. The white
(non-impregnated) cotton fabric is often used as a soft mattress cover, incontinence pad or as a table mat especially for sound insulation. The black molton is mostly used in the event and theater sector. The fabric is used on stages as a technical fabric because of its roughening. For example:
Molton fabrics (130cm, 200cm and 300cm width) will be delivered in running meters, as bale or high stack pallet. Individual assembly is possible through one of our partners.
The black, red and white colors of the molton are generally not all. We offer you a wide range of colors for molton substances. We can send samples of the fabrics free of charge. If you are planning to buy large amounts of molton, it is important to know: Molton is a colored substance. Colors of individual batches could differ slightly from each other.
What happens if you wash Molton?
Untreated moltons are washable and can be boiled at 90 ° C (mattress preservers / molton cloths). In contrast to the stage materials: stage molton and deco molton are impregnated with flame-retardant properties. That means the fire retardant does not migrate into the substance. Thus, the substance is flame-retardent. Molton loses this impregnation by washing or cleaning, moist storage conditions or at temperatures above 30 ° C. Likewise, a strong mechanical stress, such as the continuous pulling on and pulling of a curtain, counteracts the flame protection. On the other hand, they can achieve their flame retardancy again (according to DIN 4102) by treatment with special fire protection sprays or by immersion baths in flame retardants.
By the way: In order to obtain a molton substance after a long storage time without wrinkle, it should have sufficient time to hang out on the spot. Ironing above 30 ° C will endanger flame retardancy!
Similarities between deco and stage molton
In the event area you use the deco or stage molton. What both qualities have in common: The substances are flame retardant (impregnated). They meet the strict requirements for fire protection at public events, which are regulated in the relevant assemblies. Our deco and stage moltons are according to DIN 4102-B1 certified.
The weight makes the difference
The grammage distinguishes the deco from the stage molton. Both fabrics are used for decorations, whereby the heavy molton (stage molton) is also used as a technical fabric.
Depending on how molton is assembled (seam, eyelets, etc.) or unedited as running meters or bale, there are various accessories for mounting. If molton is eyed, it is best to use Quick rubber tightener, snap-hooks, hooks or snappers. A Spannfix offers the advantage that the molton can be clamped without wrinkles. You can sew a wrinkle band for curtains, which shall have a manual fall of the folds. A molton curtain can also be mounted by a velcro / velcro band. Molton can also be glued for temporary mounting. If seamed or unseamed and depending on the weight and size the fabric can be mounted with fabric tape. A high-quality gaffa tape or a textile tape is ideal for this. The fabric can also be stapled for wall mounting.
Cut or tear Molton?
It is not always necessary to seam molton as the fabric does not fray. Molton can be cut or easily teared.
Our stage molton is a heavy fabric with a weight of 300g/m² and is therefore very dense. The stage molton is opaque and the matte, roughened surface and its heavy weight absorb sound and light. These characteristics are a huge advantage for the event technology, as our quality product can be used in many ways. Stage curtains are sewn from stage moltons, but the fabric can also be used for curtains for darkening or as an acoustic curtain. The fabric is suitable for coverings (e.g., stage and pedestal coverings) of all types.
Stage molton absorbs light and sound and reduces the reverb
Stage molton dampens the noise in the theater and studio and has a positive effect on the acoustics of music performances. Stage molton absorbs the light. Ideal conditions for effective stage lighting. Spectators are not blinded by reflective spots unnecessarily. The roughened surface, which also gives it its fluffy soft feel, maximizes the absorption surface of the fabric, so that, in contrast to other B1 fabrics, stage moltons can absorb more light and sound. As a stage backdrop and theater curtain, the fabric also provides sufficient visual density to reliably screen backstage areas from unintended insights. Stage molton is also used as a cold protection curtain or for protection against drafts or for curtains in entrance areas, e.g. made for the gastronomy.
Stage molton in special colors: bluebox and greenscreen
For recordings in the chromakey process (image cut-out), molton is used as a professional film and photo background. Compared to other materials, stage molton is not glossy, the matte surface does not reflect lightning and flashlight. Usually, molton is purchased as a white or black photo background. Deep black allows special effects, a white fabric background is particularly suitable for product photography. For photo, video and TV productions, we sell stage molton greenscreen.
Live on stage with stage molton, cotton canvas & co.
Stage molton is one of the most important stage fabrics in theaters and on stage. More fabrics that are often used on stage and events are cotton canvas and transparent cotton muslin. At sporting events, festivals and other cultural events is a printed bunting often used.
Deco molton is a light molton with a surface weight of around 150 to 160g/m² and is therefore neither opaque nor light-tight. Deco molton is mainly suitable as a flame retardant material for decorations. The flame-resistant impregnation enables the fabric to be used for stage design, as a material for event or shop window decoration as well as a translucent covering for creative lighting. Deco molton can also be used as a low-cost and fire-resistant photo background. Its matte surface does not reflect light. Be careful, however, that this molton is not suitable for improving the acoustics in the studio or to isolate areas from viewers.
In addition to the classic stage and deco molton made from 100% cotton, we also sell satin molton and Trevira (stage fabrics). Our satinmolton (Blackout Satin 320 FR) is a cotton fabric (320g/m²). Its weave gives satinmolton its gloss. In addition, this fabric is only roughened on one side. The result: A one-sided satin-glossy fabric, which is due its roughness on the other hand also equipped with the positive properties of a molton substance (sound and light absorption).
Textiles made from these fibers and yarns bear the trademark Trevira CS and are permanently flame-retardant. The fabric can therefore be washed (care and washing instructions can be found on the page: http://www.trevira.de/en/textiles-made-from-trevira/home-textiles/flame-retardant-textiles-trevira-cs/care.html). This qualifies it for the usage on stages and events. Unlike fabrics that have been subsequently impregnated, Trevira CS textiles offer long-term safety. The polyester fibers can not be changed by external influences. Due to its smooth surface, however, Trevira absorbs only a small amount of sound.
Our stage velvet is made of 100% cotton (Scala FR), with the pile on the front of the fabric forming the velvety soft surface. On the back, this noble velvet has a fabric structure. Stage velvet is one of the high-quality variants of the stage materials and has a silky appearance, which makes it look striking and luxurious. The velvet is often used on stage, theaters (home) cinemas, discotheques or similar (public) events as well as in gastronomy.
How is a material constructed, which coating is used and which ICC profile is suitable for which printing press? The Berger Textiles Academy offers you interesting product trainings, trainings and workshops on the different application areas. Find out now about the main goals and contents.
We look forward to welcoming you soon in person, on site or via live video in the Altelierhaus in the Mies van der Rohe Business Park.
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