	Print Zone
		Case Studies
		Exhibit Solutions
		Calculators

Case Studies

Big Dog Media Solutions has provided a number of case studies that have been gathered from real life production situations in order to illustrate Big Dog Media’s core values of outside the box problem solving and product knowledge. Big Dog Media’s in depth experience allows us to service you with outstanding customer service and flexibility. Please give us a call and see how we can help you solve production problems or how our suggestions can create new product offerings for you to sell to your customers.

"No Curl" Light Block Banner Stands

Customer Challenge

A customer says.... "Banner Stands graphics are curling to the front while using a super smooth block out 'no curl' banner vinyl on their solvent machine." When the graphics leave the shop they lay flat with no issues, but customers will start to complain several weeks to months later after the graphic has been in the field a while.

Big Dog Media Explanation:

The reason that nearly all vinyl used in a banner stand application will curl at one time or another with certainty is that vinyl is not dimensionally stable and will retain memory once retracted for storage or shipping. The transit and storage climate can also play a factor in helping the vinyl to set memory before the next display set up. Super smooth block out banner materials are usually a better choice than conventional vinyl...However, they are still prone to curling issues that plague vinyl for this application.

Big Dog Media Solution:

For Banner Stand applications Big Dog Media Solutions suggests using dimensionally stable non-vinyl solutions, for instance polypropylene, polycarbonate, and polyester films or fabrics. In this particular case, since the customer wants the best possible solution and presentation we have suggested the ExhibiTex Block Out Fabric.

Recommended Product Description:

Big Dog Media Solution’s ExhibiTex Block Out Fabric is specifically designed for banner stand and hanging banner applications where “No Curl” means no exceptions. ExhibiTex Block Out Fabric has dimensionally stable characteristics which allows it to retract easily and without curl for long periods of time in any storage climate. ExhibiTex Block Out Fabric is a Light Block Polyester Fabric that rivals the print quality and color vibrancy that is normally reserved for dye sub transfer. The material density of ExhibiTex Block Out Fabric allows for Big Dog Media Solutions to coat our unique fabric in a way that other fabrics cannot be coated, allowing for phenomenal results and minimal effort.

Adjoining exhibition graphic panels require Semi-Rigid Vinyl to avoid

Customer Challenge

A customer says... Printed exhibit panels are shrinking back over time and adjoining seams are separating causing problems for this high end exhibit environment.” These exhibit panels are being produced using a standard polymeric adhesive backed vinyl which has been the standard product for nearly all flat mounted graphics produced with no complaints until now. Cast material is not an option for this client due to its cost prohibitive nature.

Big Dog Media Explanation

While typical Polymeric and Monomeric calendared vinyls are acceptable for most flat mounted graphics, they are prone to shrinking issues. Depending on the manufacturer and the make of calendared product the degree of shrinking may be different but all are predisposed to problems when permanent precision alignment is paramount.

Big Dog Media Solution

For adjoining mounted graphic applications Big Dog Media Solutions suggests using dimensionally stable products that will not shrink.

Products that will work for this application but might be cost prohibitive include cast vinyl, adhesive backed fabric and adhesive backed photo paper. Our most popular answer to the shrinkage dilemma is the ever-dimensionally stable 6.0-mil Semi-Rigid Exhibit Vinyl – Permanent Adhesive, which offers the perfect solution at the right price.

Recommended Product Description

Big Dog Media Solutions 6.0-mil Semi-Rigid Exhibit Vinyl – Permanent Adhesive 6.0-mil Semi-Rigid Exhibit Vinyl – Permanent Adhesive is ideal for printing with digital equipment utilizing solvent ink jet technology as well as other printing methods. This Semi-Rigid Exhibit product is not your typical vinyl, with dimensional stability that defies shrinkage. This product is excellent for use in point of purchase displays; trade shows displays, and window graphics.

"Never Fail, Tunnel, or Split" Rollable Tradeshow and Flexible Graphic

Customer Challenge

A customer says... In an attempt to remain profitable in a competitive market our production department has been asked to look at alternatives to their traditional pressure sensitive all film combination that has been costing them approx. $3.50 SQ/FT. Identifying a new and reliable solution has been frustrating because navigating the many different options and compatibility nightmares has prevented forward progress.

Big Dog Media Explanation:

A graphic is only as strong as its weakest link and trying to reinvent a reliable solution that has worked for years is almost unthinkable. However, many in today’s competitive market have been forced to attempt to evolve or stop servicing this niche of the industry. As the broader market has been commoditized and media vendors become focused on only price and delivery, the specialized knowledge and know-how to construct failure-proof Portable Tradeshow & Exhibit solutions has gone by the wayside. While vendor knowledge is lacking, problems such as Tunneling, Delamination, Dog Earing, Paper Split, Shrinkage, Graphic Curl, & Faulty Coatings have remained.

Big Dog Media Solution:

Big Dog Media Solutions recommends a variety of “Bullet Proof” solutions to fit any technology and any quality requirement. When it comes to Portable Exhibit & Tradeshow applications Big Dog Media Solutions boasts the most technical sales consultants of any company in the industry bar none.

Recommended Product Description:

Big Dog Media Solutions offers in depth consultations for our customers with our knowledge & ability to recommend custom solutions tailored to the individual needs of our customers while keeping you competitive.

Call us for free consultations and recommendations for all of your projects. 303-759-5129

Custom Sourcing & Creating "New Products"

Customer Challenge

A customer told us... In an attempt to satisfy customer demand and a large opportunity we were asked about helping solve a material request for perforated hanging banners. These hanging banners are also specified to be double side printable and work with UV Curable Technology. The large retail POP client has also made it clear that they need the banners to be ultra-flat with no curl -while hanging and preferably as eco-friendly as possible. The estimated volume of this project would be 9,000 linear ft. per month and lead times would need to be one week after initial order.

Big Dog Media Expertise:

Big Dog Media has a comprehensive network of industry partners that enables us to source custom solutions for our customers. To meet the ever-changing needs of our customers we combine our outside the box thinking, product knowledge, and a desire to meet any challenge. Big Dog is committed to staying at the forefront of innovation; and, this means that no opportunity is too big or too small. Big Dog takes an interest in many unusual projects.

Big Dog Media Solution:

The key to this solution was finding the right base material that would be blockout which allows for double sided printing and at the same time be able to perforate cleanly. Our client also needed to be competitively priced and had indicated a desire not to print on vinyl. We ended up sourcing an 8 mil synthetic double sided blockout no curl film (non-vinyl) and sending it to our contract perforator to be finished off with a 70/30 perforation pattern. Once final testing had been approved, we required a blanket PO for this custom product to be warehoused in our Chicago facility for on-demand ordering.

Recommended Product Description:

Big Dog Media Solutions offers in-depth consultations for our customers with our knowledge & ability to recommend custom solutions tailored to the individual needs of our customers while keeping you competitive.

Call us for free consultations and recommendations for your unique projects. 303-759-5129

"Size Matters" Reduce your cost & eliminate waste when Producing Trade

Customer Challenge:

Over 90% of the customer’s photo mural panels for Portable Exhibit & Tradeshow Graphics are 29 5/8” wide. Tired of nearly 20% waste on specialty 36" media & 38" laminate this customer asked us to search for alternative sized media that might work.

Big Dog Media Explanation:

Since inception the industry has accepted the philosophy of creating media sizes solely based on printer widths, rather than customer needs. Many product sizes are driven by their master widths in manufacturing and not all products can be customized, however some can be customized. This becomes especially important when dealing with specialized products that tend to be more expensive.

Big Dog Media Solution:

Big Dog Media Solutions is committed to help consult with you in order to custom size and hold inventory for specific needs when possible. For the example at hand we encouraged the customer to take advantage of our extensive product line and use 60+” laminate that is available in both Pressure Sensitive & Low Melt Laminates. Also by using our 60” print films they were able to have the option to print two graphics side by side and laminate at 60+” or have material custom converted to 30” for single stack graphics and narrower equipment.

Recommended Product Description:

Call us for free consultations and recommendations for your unique projects. 303-759-5129