January 1, 2021
By Terri Madden and Alayna Wool Before signing a client contract for a new interior project, it’s important to consider any unforeseen obstacles you might encounter on the job. This will help you surpass your client’s expectations and prevent profits from withering away due to having to work overtime. Pre-production communication is key to a …
By Mark Hood, MFC At Hood Canvas, we fabricate rigid panels frequently. We have devised a method of fabricating these panels that is more mainstream than our usual method of fabrication where we face zippers to hide them. In this article, we will fabricate a pair of sample enclosure panels start to finish using Marine …
Self-education comes in many forms. By Chris Ritsema Education is a valuable asset when it comes to success in life and business. Going to college is the standard road map many people use to get an education that helps them succeed, but I never really enjoyed the classroom. I wanted to get out and get …
November 24, 2020
The Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI) is hosting a free webinar on Dec. 15, 2020, for IFAI members ($39 for non-members) discussing software specifically designed for marine fabricators. As the marine textile industry converts to mostly digital processes, this webinar will discuss software that can dramatically speed up the development of accurate 3D models and …
September 1, 2020
by Terri Madden The familiar adage, “A picture is worth a thousand words,” is especially apt when it comes to a project board, a visual summary of all of a project’s components. A project board confirms that you have understood your customer’s requests, and it helps your staff understand and correctly fabricate the details for …
By Steven Wayne Upholstery. It’s a funny word, isn’t it? Even unique. Most people, as it happens, do not know how to spell it. Others lump everything from canvas products to apparel in the word’s meaning. For marine fabricators like ourselves, we know there’s a difference between canvas and upholstery! I would like to share …
August 31, 2020
Whitney Carman relies on lateral thinking and relationship building to create innovative shade solutions. By Sigrid Tornquist “I think one of the reasons my projects are unique has to do with the ability for lateral thinking, which means seeing a variety of solutions to a problem or uses for an object, and not necessarily just …
July 1, 2020
By Leo Pohlmann, in collaboration with Zach Pohlmann Throughout my 30 years of marine canvas experience as the owner of Uncharted Marine Canvas, I’ve seen many trends come and go. One that has emerged within the past five to 10 years is the creation of cockpit covers on sportfishing boats. Located in the Florida Panhandle, …
By Terri Madden When I moved to San Juan, Puerto Rico, and registered my business 23 years ago, I had only $2,000 in my pocket. It bought me the key to the door of an 800-square-foot space with a few worn-out tools and tables. I paid the lawyer who drew up the paperwork in the …
May 1, 2020
By Keith Purves, MFC One of the most useful, purposeful and absolutely frustrating features on a clear vinyl enclosure is the simple U-zip. A properly built U-zip looks good, opens and closes easily, and allows boaters the freedom of having the wind in their hair or the full protection of an enclosure when Mother Nature …
