Your boss just dropped a last-minute request. She needs a sleek event backdrop for an upcoming press conference or a trade show booth that makes a statement.
So, you dive into research mode, only to find a sea of options. SEG? Pillowcase? Tension fabric? And wait—some sites even suggest a vinyl banner.
Let’s be real. Vinyl banners scream budget-friendly but not in a good way. If your brand is all about quality and impact, your backdrop should reflect that. That’s why today’s top brands opt for fabric graphics. They look more polished, photograph beautifully, and bring a modern, high-end aesthetic to any event.
Why Fabric?
- Lightweight & Easy to Ship – No heavy, rigid panels to deal with.
- Design Freedom – Fabric allows for seamless, curved, or reconfigurable displays.
- Premium Visual Appeal – It absorbs light (instead of glaring like vinyl), ensuring rich colors and a professional finish.
But not all fabric frames are the same. Two of the most popular styles are SEG (Silicone Edge Graphics) and Pillowcase Displays.
So, what’s the difference?
Below, we break down their key features, pros, and best-use cases to help you choose the right fit for your brand.
The Basics
SEG
SEG frames consist of a printed fabric graphic that gets a thin silicone strip (gasket) sewn around the perimeter of the fabric. The fabric then inserts into a channel of an aluminum frame by pushing the silicone strip into the channel of the frame.
Pillowcase
A pillowcase fabric frame is a printed fabric graphic that gets sewn with a zipper and slips over a tubular aluminum frame – just like a pillowcase slips over a pillow.
Shape of Frame
SEG
Most SEG fabric frames are rectangular or square. The frame can be bent but far less than Pillowcase frames. Most instances of bent SEG frames are a simple curve like a circle.
Pillowcase
Pillowcase frames can be bent into more creative shapes like an “S”, or they can be circular or curved.
Visibility of Frame
SEG
With SEG, the frame is exposed slightly. It has a virtually frameless look when viewing the frame straight on. The frame has a clean, squared-off modern look and can be powder coated in any color. These frames come in different thicknesses.
If the SEG frame is freestanding, you will only see the baseplates that help hold up the frame. These baseplates are powder coated black, however, you can request a specific color.
Pillowcase
A Pillowcase frame is not visible when hung. The graphic slips over the frame covering it. And just like the SEG frame, if the pillowcase is freestanding, you will only see the baseplates that help hold up the frame. These baseplates are powder coated black, however, you can request a specific color.
Future Graphic Changeouts
SEG
One of the things we love about SEG frames is that the graphics can be changed out easily. And to ensure new graphics fit your existing frame, we have an adjustable fit frame for SEG fabric graphics. This means you do not need to send us your SEG frame back. We keep your frame size measurements on file too.
Pillowcase
With a Pillowcase display, we need your frame to be shipped back to our facility to make sure the new graphic fits properly. And if graphic changeouts are frequent, we can always keep an extra frame here which saves you from shipping your frame back to us.
Turn Time
SEG
SEG frames and printed fabrics are quicker for us to create.
Pillowcase
Pillowcase frames and printed fabrics take a bit longer to complete.
There are indeed many options for fabrics and frames to choose from. But no matter which frame type you go with, one thing is for sure, your display will have perfect tension throughout the display unlike other tension fabric systems out there.
And when your custom graphics are printed on the world’s most amazing fabric printer, the results are stunning.
