When Faith Roberts, owner of Banner Canvas in Ham Lake, Minnesota, left bridal design in 1986 to pursue a career in marine fabrication, she sought out an industry expert for advice. That’s when she met the late Bob Weldon, former branch manager at Trivantage.

“Bob was a wonderful friend and mentor,” Roberts recalled. “He did a lot for me and for our industry.” In the early days, when Roberts had a question about dying fabrics or where to find a finishing company, Weldon was ready with an answer: “I could always rely on Bob to help me figure out a problem.”

Roberts has worked in the marine fabrication industry for more than 40 years, but perhaps her most impressive accolade is that she purchased the company she worked for — and her current company, Banner Canvas — after only a year of experience. “When the owners were ready to sell, they thought I had the right talent to take over and keep the brand name strong,” she said.

Roberts built her robust clientele solely through word of mouth, noting: “Potential customers would approach me because they had seen my work at their friends’ houses.” When asked how she provides value to her customers, she explained the importance of technicality. “You have to understand the products and how one product is better for a certain location and project than another,” she said. “This comes with an understanding of the market and fabric engineering.”

When asked what makes a good supplier, Roberts emphasized the importance of relationships and drew parallels to her partnership with Trivantage.

“The truly best suppliers invest their time and develop a long-term relationship — I know I can call them if I have any questions,” she said. “Bob was a true partner and did not view our customer relationship as transactional.”

Today, Roberts relies on Trivantage account representative T.J. McGillis, who has guided her through several projects. She also turned to Trivantage to outfit a 30-foot slipper launch, a traditional Thames River pleasure boat. It was fabricated with Sunbrella^® marine fabric in Ivy and Hemlock Tweed.

For more information on how Trivantage can assist with your next project, contact your sales representative, shop trivantage.com, or call us at 800-786-1876. Be sure to contact your sales representative and share your story with us and we may include it in a future Market Corner.

If you have not yet tried Barricade^™, an advanced, four-layer fabric designed to meet and surpass the challenging requirements of a basic cover fabric, then the time to do so is now.

Available exclusively from Trivantage^®, this highly water resistant and quick drying fabric will ensure valuable possessions are protected for years to come. Barricade features a breathable film sandwiched between two layers of soft but durable bicomponent non-woven material. From grills and motorcycles to cars and airplane windshields, the fabric guards against the damaging effects of sun, dirt, dust, and moisture. It is also UV resistant and lightweight for easy storing.

As a result, help your customers protect their valuable investments from the elements and scratching for years to come with Barricade.

Barricade is in stock and ready to ship. Please contact your sales representative for a sample, shop Barricade on trivantage.com, or contact us at 800-786-1876.

With spring underway, now is the time to ensure your customers – and their applications – are prepared for boating season.

When lightweight, highly tear-resistant patterning material is needed, Canvex^® and Patternpro^™ offer multiple solutions. With excellent stability and lay-flat properties, these HDPE products are ideal for marine canvas patterning.

Choosing the correct patterning fabric can drastically improve the efficiency of designing and fabricating large-scale projects. Canvex and Patternpro are also engineered to improve the accuracy of measurements and marks while on the job.

Shop now and discover how tear-resistant patterning fabric can make a boatload of a difference:

• NEW Patternpro from Polyfab^™ – This ultra stable, two-sided patterning fabric is a popular choice for fabricators, and offers a tighter weave structure. Choose from folded 157” or non-folded 78.7” products for your specific fabrication.
• Canvex I – This clear, reinforced plastic sheeting is also popular for patterning boat covers, snap-on covers, biminis, and other marine uses. Canvex I is one-sided, 81” wide, and ideal for projects prioritizing light weight.
• Canvex II –Also popular for patterning large projects, Canvex II is two-sided, 72” wide, and best used for jobs that require superior tear resistance and patterns that require markings on both sides of the material.

Discover the difference performance patterning can make. Shop pattern fabric today, contact your sales representative, or call us at 800-786-1876.

The Mayfield Collection^® is a premium selection of Sunbrella shade fabrics created from 100% Sunbrella acrylic fabric – and 24 exclusive fabric options are available from Trivantage. From intricate stripes to new solid color options such as soft neutrals and deep chocolate browns, discover the Sunbrella difference.

Fade resistant, easy to clean and UV protective, Mayfield Collection fabrics are ideal for any awning or shade application. This high-quality fabric is available in multiple widths and coordinates well with Sunbrella upholstery fabrics. Count on Sunbrella awning fabric for unparalleled performance, such as excellent fade, weather, and water resistance, as well as being easy to clean.

In addition to the new color options, choose from jewel-toned solids and an assortment of multicolor striped styles. This collection is ideal for any awning or shade application, and complete the project with Trivantage woven awning braids, also made from 100% Sunbrella acrylic fiber. Check out our entire collection of Sunbrella awning fabric and learn more about how Sunbrella changed the awning standard on our Sunbrella Brand page.

In addition to the new color options, choose from jewel-toned solids and an assortment of multicolor striped styles. This collection is ideal for any awning or shade application, and complete the project with Trivantage woven awning braids, also made from 100% Sunbrella acrylic fiber. Check out our entire collection of Sunbrella awning fabric and learn more about how Sunbrella changed the awning standard on our Sunbrella Brand page.

Your sales representative stands ready to assist you with any questions, and you also can visit trivantage.com or call us at 800-786-1876.

Trivantage has launched a new look to the Market Corner blog, complete with new features designed to enhance your overall experience with our monthly marketing newsletter and streamline access to information on new products, design expertise, Awning Composer^® tutorials, and much more.

From a design standpoint, the blog’s modern look is more responsive than ever before and can be accessed on any device, including mobile. The URL – www.trivantage.com/blog – is more user-friendly, and we think you will agree the new layout also is easier to navigate. Just click on the photo, headline or “Read more” links in each post to access the full article or keep scrolling for an at-a-glance look at recent posts.

New features include a “Filter By” tab for ease of finding topics of interest to you and your customers. You also can do a keyword search (located top-right) and content featuring the keywords entered will be returned. In addition, the blog is now on an “infinite scroll,” meaning as you scroll to the bottom, more articles will appear rather than having to navigate from page to page. Topics also can be accessed by clicking on the tags in any article on the main blog page or within individual articles.

Each issue of Market Corner includes fresh, timely content delivered to your inbox. Our goal is to be a resource for you and our newsletter is part of our commitment to provide you with even greater access to content developed with your business in mind. Please contact your sales representative at any time with your questions or comments on Market Corner, including news and information you would like to see featured.

As commercial projects increasingly require fire-retardant materials, Sunbrella has launched its newest performance awning fabric – Sunbrella^® Exceed^TM FR, an inherently fire-retardant and flame-resistant shade fabric that offers top FR performance while still delivering the same elevated appearance and tactile qualities of woven Sunbrella shade fabrics.

Available from Trivantage^®, Sunbrella Exceed FR provides fiber-level, built-in flame resistance and fire retardancy, resulting in extended peace of mind for your customers. Self-extinguishing, this modified acrylic provides long-lasting protection that meets all relevant FR codes including California Fire Marshal, NFPA Burn Tests, FAA Certifications, and more. Sunbrella Exceed FR is also compatible with the Sunbrella Graphics System for additional customization and personalization for store fronts or restaurants.

With Sunbrella Exceed FR, customers can enjoy the look and feel of Sunbrella shade fabrics, plus the benefit of inherent fire-retardancy. Exceed FR shade fabric comes with the mold and mildew resistance, water repellency, stain resistance, fade resistance, and breathability users have come to expect from Sunbrella products. With a 5-year limited warranty, these Sunbrella shade fabrics are sure to satisfy and protect for years to come.

For your next awning installation, consider Sunbrella Exceed FR, available in four versatile colors: Black, Captain Navy, Forest Green, and Jockey Red. For more information on Exceed FR or other Sunbrella fabrics, please contact your sales representative, visit Trivantage.com, or call us at 800-786-1876.

Welcome to 2023! From all of us at Trivantage^®, we hope your new year is filled with new projects, new partnerships, and new opportunities for you to practice your craft and make your customers’ visions reality.

You chose Trivantage for a variety of reasons in 2022, but there were a few products that took the spotlight. Here are the fabrics, marine hardware, and awning services that made the top four last year:

• Marine Shade Fly – Create easy shade with our Marine Shade Fly premium boat shade poles, customizable fabrics, and hardware. With a hand-selected offering of shade fly supplies, Trivantage makes it easy to purchase everything you need to meet your customers’ needs, including pick-and-choose adjustable pole sets, fabric, and hardware.
• Sunbrella^® Upholstery – Add style and long-lasting comfort to any space with Sunbrella upholstery fabrics (pictured). These high-quality fabrics are designed to withstand the elements and everyday use, making them perfect for both indoor and outdoor use.
• PrintCraft™ Awnings – With as little as 5 yards, PrintCraft delivers unlimited shade fabric customization through a single source. Backed by a 5-year limited warranty from Glen Raven, PrintCraft provides full customization, for both personal and commercial applications, with multiple fabric width options.
• Aqualon^® Edge – Aqualon Edge is the next generation in multi-use, high-quality boat cover fabric. Powered by cutting-edge Perfecta Marine® technology, Aqualon Edge marine fabric reduces heat gain caused by UV rays, which keeps surfaces and interior temperatures cool, and is perfect for boat covers and enclosures. Northern Customs is but one partner who has turned to Aqualon Edge for new marine projects.

Which projects will take the spotlight in 2023? Stay tuned to Market Corner each month, and be sure to share your project details with your Trivantage sales representative along the way. We look forward to highlighting your successes.

There’s still time to save! Trivantage is offering new lower prices so you can take advantage of incredible specials on our designer upholstery fabrics, hardware, thread, trim and cord, and associated fabric and textiles.

You won’t want to miss an opportunity to shop more than 425 products competitively priced at unprecedented discounts, some in limited quantities. Save big on Sunbrella fabric, awning, upholstery, marine fabric, hardware, and more. These deals are available in limited quantities and won’t last long! We have a great selection over a variety of departments, so be sure to view each item’s product page to see discount details.

For more information, please contact your sales representative, browse trivantage.com, or call us at 800-786-1876.

Have you visited our Resource Center lately? If not, be sure to check it out and quickly find the answers you need from a variety of resources available from Trivantage.

Need a product catalog? You can download a PDF from the center that details over 9,000 products to choose from, backed by our commitment to having the largest inventory.

Have questions about a warranty? We’ve got answers at the Resource Center. You also can learn about industry-favored brands and read up on how to clean your fabrics.

The center also includes rich details on our in-depth product guides, FAQs on all things Trivantage and doing business with us, and helpful guides on some of the products we carry.

We think you’ll agree the Trivantage Resource Center has all the essentials for your next project. Consider the center as your one stop for product details, industry knowledge, and getting around our website – and then deliver the wow factor on your next customer project.

Trivantage^® exhibited at the Custom Workroom Conference for the first time in October, and our team is pleased to report strong attendance and a surge of interest in decorative projects at an event created by and for workroom owners. With 80 exhibitors and more than 300 attendees, the one-day show brought together those who have turned a love of creating window treatments, upholstered furniture, and soft furnishings into successful businesses.

It was clear from the conference that it is succeeding in its mission to strengthen the workroom industry through quality education and relationships with other workroom professionals. We experienced this firsthand at the Trivantage booth and in education sessions focused on new methods, timeless techniques, and inspiring ideas. Our team also shared insights on fabrics and accessories for design-minded fabricators, top shelf workrooms, upholstery shops, interior designers, and decorative jobbers. One lucky visitor to our booth entered our drawing and won a 1961 Tote, an everyday tote made with Sunbrella® and named after the year the legendary performance fabric was founded.

At Trivantage, our new Designer & Workroom site streamlines your search for high-performance fabrics, hardware, and professional supplies from industry-leading brands. Browse fabrics by color, pattern, or collection while stocking your workroom or upholstery shop with fabrication essentials. Designers will discover a wide array of upholstery fabrics, including Sunbrella brands, our exclusive Aura Collection, BellBloc^® cushion liners, and Phifertex^® mesh, among others.

You won’t want to miss our trending colors designed to bring your client’s vision to life. Jump start your fabric search by hopping into eight popular color categories and browsing high-performance fabrics sure to complement any mood board. Becoming a new customer is an easy process, and you will enjoy online ordering and fast shipping from the industry’s largest selection.

To ensure personalized service, our customer care teams are dedicated to knowing and serving your business. Meet our Designer & Workroom team at our new site, or you can call us at 800-786-1876.