by Li Jackson
Helfman Launches Online Store for Tensioned Fabric Exhibits
Aaron Helfman, a renowned fabric sign maker, has launched his next-generation tensioned fabric display manufacturing company on March 14th. The company, called OneFab.us, offers premium-grade customized tensioned fabric exhibits and display components—made in the USA, and available to customers through an online store. Helfman has been producing custom exhibit signs for more than 30 years—going all the way back to 1989, when he joined his mom, Jennifer Haas-Elliott at Studio Stitchers International (SSI) in Chicago. Studio Stitchers focused on the special needs of custom exhibit houses, and they created hundreds of custom designs for clients like Exhibitgroup, Giltspur, GED, Osgood Displays, and many other custom exhibit builders from that era.
These Were the Days
These were the days before dye-sublimation and grand-format digital printing, before snap-tube aluminum frames were popular, before fabric covers zippered around the frame and pulled smooth and taut. Back then most trade show banners were made to hang with pole-pockets, and screen-printing or fabric-applique were the primary graphic techniques for creating brand identity on fabric banners. Thirty years ago most exhibits were still made from wood panels or other hard materials, and fabric signs were a rarity. Now almost all hanging signs are made with fabric, and many of the most attractive and innovative displays are made completely using various tensioned fabric systems. The new era of tensioned fabric exhibits has arrived. Lightweight, big surfaces, bright colors, quick assembly, and many other advantages have made tensioned fabric the go to solution for cool custom exhibits.
Two Important Criteria for Deciding
When the time came to start a new company, Aaron had two important criteria for deciding what to do next. The first was to build something unique and fresh, an innovative company that makes amazing products that no one else was offering. The other was that the new company would work directly with customers, without any intermediary gatekeepers between them. The new business would focus on creating innovative tensioned fabric designs, and also strive to make it as easy as possible for exhibitors and designers to find and purchase great tensioned fabric items. And thus a vision was born: the new company would offer premium grade tensioned fabric components, and make them available to everyone through an online store. OneFab.us is where exhibitors and marketers can go to find premium-quality tensioned fabric exhibits and display components. All the products are made in the USA, and the store motto is “The Art of Tensioned Fabric,” which makes clear where the priorities lay.
Initial Collection of Products
The initial collection of products is called Spring 2023, giving the impression that there will be a regular stream of fresh designs coming to the store. Currently the store offers 10’ x 10’ and 20’ x 10’ exhibit configurations, as well as several display components. Helfman promises that additional products will be to the store soon, including fresh tensioned fabric components and new exhibit configurations. From the perspective of 2023, it is clear that the internet changed everything about exhibiting. Now the most important objective for an exhibitor is to build relationships and initiate new connections. Having the right display is an essential part of achieving success with an exhibit.
“The main differences with this new company are that at onefab.us we design and manufacture all of the items we sell, and we provide everything through our online store. This allows us to apply all that we have learned from many years of creating custom exhibits for the largest companies, and bring fresh ideas to the show floor. We want to be the favorite resource for smaller exhibitors who want quality tensioned fabric designs that connect with people and enhance their brands. OneFab.us has two core beliefs: like it or not, the quality of the display reflects on the quality of the brand, and every company deserves to have a great exhibit,” says Aaron Helfman.
