FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 20, 2006

Astrup Organizes and Expands Line of Bantex Digital Media Fabric

CLEVELAND, OH -­ The Astrup Company recently updated its popular line of Bantex® digital media fabrics, organizing the fabrics according to industry trends and expanding the line with seven new fabrics. Bantex digital media fabrics are now offered in three versions: Bantex Sign Line‘ Matte, Bantex®, and Bantex Sign Line‘ Gloss that offer just the right surface for any sign or banner project.

The entire Bantex digital media fabric line is compatible with all solvent and UV curable digital ink jet printers. The products also work well for screen print and pressure sensitive vinyl applications. Manufactured with Proprietary Plasticizer Control (PPC), Bantex digital media fabrics have a longer shelf life and no ink jet compatibility issues.

Bantex®
Astrup’s Bantex fabric is available with a matte finish in a two-sided blackout version put up on 100-yard rolls for use with traditional decorating methods such as hand painting, screen printing and pressure sensitive vinyl applications. And now specifically for the digital print market, Astrup offers Bantex fabric in one-sided and two-sided versions on 25 and 50 yard boxed, notched core rolls. The fabric is white, vinyl-laminated woven polyester.

Bantex® Sign Line‘ Matte
Formerly known as Bantex, this matte finish fabric is offered in white and a variety of colors, specifically designed for traditional decorating methods. Made of vinyl-laminated weft polyester, the Sign Line Matte includes a one-sided 10-ounce fabric, a one-sided 13-ounce fabric, both put up on 40-yard rolls, and a two-sided 18-ounce fabric put up on 100-yard rolls.

Bantex® Sign Line‘ Gloss
Designed for the digital print market, Bantex Sign Line Gloss is available with a high gloss finish on 25 and 50 yard boxed rolls. This fabric was previously known as Bantex Sign Line. The three-inch notched cores allow the rolls to be used on Oce digital printers, as well as all other solvent and UV ink digital printers. Made of vinyl-laminated weft polyester, the gloss Bantex line is available in white one-sided 10 and 13-ounce weights.

Astrup is the leading supplier of materials used in the manufacture of awnings, signs, tarpaulins, tents, outdoor furniture and umbrellas, marine products (tops and covers) and associated fabric products for residential, commercial and architectural applications. Now celebrating its 130th year, the Cleveland-based company makes its products and services available through 14 strategically located distribution centers throughout North America. To obtain additional information, contact The Astrup Company:

The Astrup Company
2937 W. 25th Street
Cleveland, Ohio 44113
Phone: 216-696-2820
Website URL: www.astrup.com