SEG Displays Explained — Silicone Edge Graphics FAQ: Backlit vs Non-Lit, Sizing, Artwork & Care

What is SEG, and why did it take over the trade-show floor?

SEG stands for Silicone Edge Graphics. A dye-sublimated fabric graphic is finished with a thin silicone strip — the keder — sewn around its entire perimeter. That strip presses into a groove in a slim aluminum frame, pulling the fabric drum-tight from edge to edge. No clips, no Velcro, no visible hardware: what you see is a perfectly flat, seamless wall of colour. Add LEDs behind a translucent fabric and the same frame becomes a lightbox. Kolt Printing prints SEG fabric in Houston, Texas, ships nationwide, and supplies complete displays — frame, graphic and lighting — from 3 ft to 20 ft.

How does the graphic attach to the frame?

• Start at a corner and press the silicone edge into the channel, working along one long side, then the opposite side, then the short sides.
• The fabric is cut slightly smaller than the frame so that seating the last edge stretches it taut and pulls out any fold creases within an hour or two.
• To remove, lift one corner of the silicone strip and peel it out; the graphic slides straight out. Swapping a 10 ft graphic takes one person about ten minutes.
• Use clean cotton gloves for installation — skin oil marks show on matte fabric and are the number-one cause of 'dirty' graphics on day one.

Backlit or non-lit — which do I need?

• Non-lit SEG uses an opaque or semi-opaque display polyester on a shallow frame (about 18" deep on our 10 ft unit, including feet). It is the economical choice for well-lit venues, retail walls and offices, and it can be printed double-sided.
• Backlit SEG uses a dedicated translucent backlit polyester on a deeper frame with an internal LED array. Light passes through the fabric so colours glow — the display becomes the brightest thing in the hall and reads from across a room.
• Choose backlit when the venue is dim, when neighbours have lightboxes (an unlit wall next to a lit one looks switched off), or when photography and brand colour are the point. Choose non-lit when budget, weight or power access are the constraint.
• Our backlit frames run standard 110 V power with an inline switch and ship with the LED rails pre-fitted; the popup versions collapse into a wheeled case.

How is SEG fabric printed, and will it fade or scratch?

SEG graphics are dye-sublimated: the design is printed in reverse onto transfer paper, then heat-pressed at around 400°F so the dye turns to gas and bonds inside the polyester fibres. There is no ink film on the surface to crack, peel or scratch, colours stay saturated through folding and washing, and the fabric keeps its soft matte, glare-free finish. Our 10 ft and 20 ft graphics are printed as one seamless piece — no visible joins across the wall.

How do I measure for a replacement graphic?

• Measure the frame, never an old graphic. Fabric stretches and relaxes, so a used graphic is an unreliable template. Give us the outside edge-to-edge width and height of the frame and the keder size (industry standard 14 mm, some compact frames use 10 mm).
• We do the shrink math. The finished fabric is cut fractionally under frame size — roughly 0.25% smaller plus the channel allowance — so it tensions correctly. You supply the frame size; pre-press handles the rest.
• If you bought the frame from us, just quote your order number and we pull the exact template.
• Double-sided frames need two graphics; for backlit units the second graphic also blocks light from showing through the first.

How should I set up the artwork?

• Build the file at 100% of the frame size (or 50% if your software limits page size — tell us the scale) and add at least 1" of bleed on every side.
• Keep logos and text at least 2" inside the edge. The outer inch wraps into the channel and the fabric stretches, so anything on the boundary distorts or disappears.
• Resolution: 100–150 ppi at final size is ideal for fabric; vector logos and type always.
• Colour: CMYK, with Pantone references for brand colours so we can match on the dye-sub profile. Blues and reds are especially vivid on sublimated polyester; very dark greys tend to lift slightly, so proof them.
• Backlit rule: never use plain 100% K black. Use a rich black (around C75 M68 Y67 K90) — pure K looks brown-grey with the LEDs on. Also remember thin light-coloured type on a dark backlit background will bloom; bump the weight up.
• Export a flattened PDF/X-4 with fonts embedded or outlined. We send a soft proof before any fabric is printed.

Can SEG graphics be washed, folded and shipped?

• Yes to all three. Fabric graphics fold to the size of a jacket; a 20 ft wall ships in a small box rather than a 4 ft tube.
• Creases from folding pull out once the graphic is tensioned in the frame — give it an hour, or use a steamer on stubborn lines. Never iron the printed face directly.
• Machine-wash cool on a gentle cycle with mild detergent, no bleach, hang to dry. Do not dry-clean — the solvents can dull sublimated colour.
• Store graphics folded in the supplied bag, away from dust and UV, and keep the frame in its case with the silicone channels clean.

Can I reuse the frame with a new graphic?

That is the whole economic case for SEG. The aluminum frame is the long-term asset; the graphic is the swappable part. Most exhibitors buy one frame and order a fresh graphic per campaign or show — typically a third to a quarter of the cost of the full display — which is also why SEG is the greener option compared with printing new rigid panels every season.

What sizes do you offer, and can I go custom?

• 3 ft SEG Display (non-lit) — counters, entrances, retail aisle ends.
• 8 ft and 10 ft SEG Backlit Popup Displays — collapsible frames for exhibitors who fly to shows.
• 10 ft SEG Display (non-lit) and 10 ft SEG Backlit Display — the standard inline booth back wall (118" × 89").
• 20 ft SEG Display (non-lit) — the full inline booth, printed as one seamless graphic.
• Custom frame sizes, corner-wrapped and curved SEG walls, hanging SEG signs, counters and towers are available on request.

How long does it take?

Replacement graphics ship in 3–5 business days after proof approval; complete displays with frame and lighting in 5–7. Rush production is available for show deadlines — send us the specs and the date and we will do our best to save the day.

• Tension Fabric Banners FAQStretch fabric, pillowcase frames and SEG fabric compared
• Trade Show Printing ChecklistEverything to order before the show
• Trade Show Print for First-Time ExhibitorsBooth walls, counters, banners and handouts

Frequently asked questions

What does SEG stand for?

Silicone Edge Graphics — a fabric graphic with a thin silicone strip sewn around its edge that presses into a groove in an aluminum frame for a seamless, hardware-free display.

What is the difference between a backlit and a non-lit SEG display?

A backlit SEG uses translucent fabric on a deeper frame with internal LEDs so the graphic glows; a non-lit SEG uses display polyester on a shallower frame and relies on room light. Backlit stands out in dim halls; non-lit is lighter and less expensive.

How do I measure my SEG frame for a new graphic?

Measure the frame's outside width and height edge to edge and note the keder size (usually 14 mm). Do not measure an old graphic — fabric stretches. We calculate the finished fabric size from your frame dimensions.

What black should I use for a backlit SEG graphic?

A rich black such as C75 M68 Y67 K90. Plain 100% K looks grey-brown when light passes through the fabric.

Can I wash an SEG graphic?

Yes — cool, gentle machine wash with mild detergent, hang to dry. Do not dry-clean or iron the printed face.

Can I reuse my SEG frame?

Yes. The frame is designed for years of use; order a new graphic for each campaign and swap it in minutes.

Are your SEG displays printed in the USA?

Yes — printed and finished in our Houston, Texas facility and shipped nationwide.