ITEX Cairo 2021 Presentation

1. Incorporating
printed fabrics in
interior design
and acoustic
panels

2. Acoustic printed fabrics are
commonly used not only in home
theaters, recording studios,
engineering booths but as well in any
gathering space such as restaurants,
cafes, libraries, schools, universities,
conference rooms, office buildings,
apartment complexes, art galleries,
and medical facilities for noise
reduction as well as interior design

3. These wall panels provide the merge between
interior design and functional sound quality with
printed materials controlling the interior design as
the sound noise and sound mitigation to offer both
greater silencing effects, but to also enhance the
interior atmosphere.
These acoustic printed cloth panels also reduce
reverberation levels in the space, and which will
also produce a reduction in the ambient noise for
significant improvements in sound clarity.

4. There is a big difference between
soundproofing and sound absorption

5. Sound absorption is the process by which sound waves are absorbed
and taken in by a surface material. This provides the perfect
opportunity for enhancing the space’s sound quality once finished as it
diminishes unwanted noise and dampens sound, like echoes and
reverberation/ vibration.
Sound absorption products can be temporary and non-permanent,
unlike soundproofing products (and layers). Acoustic printed fabric
panels are a double effect panels for both acoustic and interior design .

8. What are the best fabrics acoustically?
Selecting the correct and properly weighted/ transparent fabric
material is critical to the efficacy and performance of the acoustic
panels.
The weights, weave, and fabric type/ fabric compositions are all
necessary to pre-determine as some fabric will most assuredly perform
better acoustically than others and ensure sound and noise reduction.
In truth, however, the specific fabric alone does not have a significant
affect on the absorption of sound as the overall wall panel and its other
components’ construction.

9. What is critically significant is the suitability of the chosen fabric type and
composition, and that it is used correctly with the other materials and
components of the acoustic sound panel, and specifically, the sound
absorbing core. While foams (like egg crates) and other material can be used
for the absorbing core, we recommend a semi-rigid fiberglass.
This type if insulation is made from inorganic glass fibers with a thermo-
setting resin binder and formed into semi-rigid rectangular boards.
This board is what the acoustic fabric will be stretched over and around, and
after framing with a wooden panel. The printed fabric provides the visually
attractive look to the room and space, and this fabric will be a breathable
material which allows for the sound to pass through and transfer into the
core material.

10. Components to the acoustic fabric wall panel
The 3 components to the acoustic fabric wall panel are:
• The sound absorbing core material (which will perform the acoustical absorbing
and sound containment – we recommend a 2″ thick semi-rigid fiberglass or
mineral fiber board insulation
• A sturdy wood frame to pull the fabric tightly against and around (and wall
mounting hardware
• Here comes the interior design part with a breathable printed fabric material(to
give the character) , such as a Number 12 (11.80 ounce per square yard) duck
canvas. A 10 ounce per square yard cotton duck fabric would also work very well.
• There are many different options to consider when choosing the best material for
acoustic panels. Please note that for human voices you can use a 1″ absorbing
fiberglass, and for amplified music with drums and bass, use a 2″ thick sound
absorbing core board. Typically, 25-35% room surface absorptive panels are ideal
for conversational clarity.

11. What are acoustic fabrics?
• To understand interior and acoustic printed
fabrics they work together to improve sound
conditions within the interior environments.
• From ensuring focus & silence to enhancing
speech intelligibility, every problem has its own
solution.
• They are used in all types of settings including
performance spaces such as theatres, concert
halls, auditoriums, recording studios and
rehearsal spaces. Or in venues such as public
spaces, offices, museums, schools, gyms and
swimming pools.

12. Why should you use acoustic printed fabrics?
• Acoustics solutions are an important consideration
in the interior design, operation and construction
of all buildings and can improve acoustic and
interior conditions.
• They ensure a healthy additive environment
and are a counter measure for health problems,
bad communication and slacking productivity.
• Curtains and fabric panels are easily adjusted,
relatively economical and often an integral interior
design element.

13. Apart from absorbing sound;
allowing for an element of
acoustic ‘tuning’ within the
interior of the room, acoustic
curtains (thanks to printing
ability) also have a range of
other applications, such as:
Covering window areas, and
working as a blackout

18. Dividing Spaces

19. Decorative & design
elements

20. Sound insulation

21. Acoustically transparent
printed fabrics
Easily restore focus, silence
and speech intelligibility in
any space by choosing the
right acoustic
enhancements as well as
the interior matching
design.

22. Scenic fabrics with a netted structure can be used to mask speakers or
other audio installations without changing the sound characteristics.
Fabrics include a unique acoustically transparent velvet which lets sound
through perfectly

23. How to integrate interior with acoustic printed
fabrics?
An acoustic fabric can be used in many ways:
• Flexible & functional furnishing
• Flexible office acoustic printed curtains, fabric panels and acoustic baffles
are easily adjusted, relatively economical and often an integral design
element of a space. Use them in offices, museums, schools and
auditoriums or in venues ranging from theatres and recording studios to
dance, drama and music rehearsal rooms.
• Made to measure drapes allow for modular designs, multi-functional
solutions and a wide choice of products. A system of acoustic printed
fabric curtains can be the solution to rearrange your venue while allowing
for endless possibilities in terms of functionality and appearance. Simply
open and close the drapes and transform any space within a few seconds!

25. Acoustic fabric printed with custom
design Eye-catching interior decoration
As functionality and aesthetics go hand
in hand, custom-printed acoustic
drapes or panels can provide a
practical solution while adding a
unique vibe to your space. Customize
any multi-layered acoustic curtain with
a print that fits your taste, print a
sound-transparent fabric to mask
speakers and other audio installations
in a creative way or incorporate your
artwork in an acoustic wall covering
that will instantly increase the level of
sound absorption in your room

27. Upholstery (freedom of
design)
Increase sound absorption and
aesthetic appeal of your space,
ensuring comfort and reliability whilst
meeting regulatory requirements,
acoustic performance and architectural
criteria. Fabric wall upholstery is
custom built on scene and gives total
freedom of design. A perfect fit for a
creative mind.

29. Applications for acoustic printed fabric sound
absorption panels include:
• The reduction of the low din and noise in crowded spaces, such as
restaurants and bars.
• Greatly ensuring the accuracy of listening conditions for sound
engineers in control rooms and musicians in a music studio
environment.
• The reduction of a reverberating echo in auditoriums and churches.
• Heighten sound quality in sound editing booths.
• Adding greater sound clarity in home theaters.
• Lessen the humming drone of sound in banks.
• 100% absorption of tonal spectrum sound wavelengths.

30. Visual Appeal of the Fabric Type Chosen
As these acoustic fabric noise reducing/ sound absorbing wall panels are
designed to hang on interior walls and ceilings just like modern art or
pictures, the form and look should align with the function. The look and
design – the aesthetics – should be considered before ordering your fabric
material. Commercial interior designers are often puzzled when solving
this design challenge, and considering the form (the design and color) and
the functionality of reliable acoustic sound absorption.
Acoustic treatments are an essential design focus of space and room
interiors. Bright or muted colors, and fabric printing options such as Neo,
Landscape and Nature, Abstract, Linear and Geometric, Mid-Century
Modern, Floral and Pastels are all viable selections when designing your
DIY Acoustic Fabric wall panels.

32. Digital printing Design for Acoustic Fabric
Last, but certainly not least, from a performance and functionality
perspective, this element is the absolute most critical component. The
wrong fabric that does not have the transparency and breath-ability
will most assuredly diminish the sound absorbing properties and total
performance of sound reduction! Acoustic fabric for wall/ ceiling panels
should be unbacked – with no lining of paper or acrylic and which is
commonly used for adhesion to the wall or ceiling. Simply stated, a
fabric with backing prevents the sound to transfer through them, and
thus, from being absorbed by the panel core fiberglass or foam.
Additionally, unbacked fabric material stretches well, and which is
important in covering the frame and acoustic

33. Digital printing Design for Acoustic Fabric
Fabrics should be chosen that are breathable and have an open weave. Synthetic
polyester mesh fabric would be an option, though the visual appeal and overall
aesthetics might not be satisfactory. Also, too much of an open weave would also
allow for a clear sight line and visibility into the acoustic sound core and panel. A
lightweight 100% polyester thin faux linen would work well, and also hold the
design and color exceptionally well. Another acoustic fabric material option would
be Muslin, as it is quite breathable, but woven well enough that it is not
transparent to see the interior panel and components. Choose a fabric that is both
acoustically transparent, but not too visibly transparent. Breathable fabric for
acoustic panels is clearly an absolute must-have for this project!
The science behind utilizing acoustic fabric wrapped around wall panels is that the
acoustic wall covering panels actually trap the sound (the acoustical energy). This
energy is then prevented from “bouncing” and reflecting off of the surfaces that
they have collided with and covered. These sound capturing panels, then, eliminate
the reflecting echoes that would otherwise affect and disturb amplified speech and
music.

34. Key factors to consider when choosing the right
fabric for sound absorbing acoustic paneling
• The printed fabric is the attractive face which must allow the sound to
transfer to this core material.
• There are a number of key factors to consider when choosing the
right fabric for sound absorbing acoustic paneling. Fortunately, there
are a huge number of textiles available in the marketplace, the
majority of which could be used as the facing of acoustic panels.
Some have been tested in controlled environments and have data
that illustrates that they perform well as an ‘acoustic fabric’. Of course
it would be impossible to test every single fabric so here we look at
the key factors which determine good acoustic panel fabrics.

35. •Transparency - Breath-ability
•Functionality
•Aesthetics (the beauty of interior design)