GUIDES · GLOSSARY
Tarpaulin glossary: tarpaulin and signage terms explained
Trade terms for tarpaulins, covers and signage, clearly explained. From PVC tarpaulin to full-colour print.
Trade terms for tarpaulins, covers and signage, clearly explained. From PVC tarpaulin to full-colour print.
The world of tarpaulins and signage is full of trade jargon. In this tarpaulin glossary we explain the key terms briefly and clearly, so you know exactly what is meant when you request a quote or ask for advice.
The extent to which fabric keeps its colour under UV light. Colourfast fabric barely fades in the sun.
Curtain that slides along a top rail, so you can open the side of a curtainsider in one movement. See our curtain side curtains.
Metal ring pressed into the fabric so you can tie the tarpaulin down or hang it up. Read how to measure a tarpaulin.
The weight of the fabric per square metre. The higher the fabric weight, the stronger and more durable the tarpaulin.
Making fabric up to size: cutting, welding, stitching and finishing with hems and eyelets to create a complete end product.
Printable banner material: frontlit for applications lit from the front, backlit for light boxes illuminated from behind.
Digital printing in unlimited colours, so photos, logos and colour gradients come out sharp on fabric or vinyl.
Reinforced, folded and welded edge of a tarpaulin that prevents tearing and holds the eyelets.
Printed mesh or PVC banner that you attach to temporary construction fencing. Mesh lets the wind through, so the banner does not act like a sail in a storm.
Technique for joining PVC fabric seamlessly and watertight using high-frequency energy. Stronger and neater than stitching.
Finishes that let you open and close a tarpaulin quickly, for example on covers and tarpaulins that close off a space.
Wind-permeable fabric with an open structure, ideal for scaffolding, construction fencing and windy locations. See our mesh tarpaulins.
Lightweight polyethylene builder's tarpaulin, water-repellent and inexpensive, suitable for temporary covering. See PVC vs PE tarpaulin.
Cover for swimming pools that retains heat and keeps leaves and dirt out. See our pool covers.
Printed banner with hems and eyelets, designed to be hung up temporarily or permanently. See our banners and fabric frames.
Woven polyester fabric with a PVC coating: heavy, strong and fully waterproof, for intensive and permanent use.
Strap with a buckle or ratchet for fastening a tarpaulin tightly and securely. See our ratchet straps.
Retractable banner system with a cassette base, quick to set up for exhibitions and indoor presentations. See our roller banners.
Breathable cover for the agricultural sector, for example over hay or straw, that lets moisture escape and stops the stack heating up. See our straw stack covers.
General term for a cover that protects loads, machinery or stock from weather, wind and dirt.
Tarpaulin stretched over a frame of roof bows and side slats that encloses the load space completely and keeps the wind out. Read curtainsider vs tilt.
Printed fabric banner that hangs vertically from a pole or banner system. Suitable for long-term outdoor signage along buildings and roads.
Just ask us. Our specialists are happy to explain which solution suits your project.