Abstract: An awning fabric for use with a backlit sign of the type having a light source disposed on one side of the awning fabric. The awning fabric includes a scrim and a translucent coating on at least one side of the scrim. The scrim is treated with an optical brightener. When the awning fabric is viewed by an observer from the side opposite the light source, the visibility of the scrim to the observer is minimized. The translucent coating may be plastisol. The optical brightener is preferably a fluorescent whitening agent comprising a stilbene derivative. Also disclosed is a method for producing an awning fabric. The method includes applying an optical brightener to a scrim and applying a translucent coating onto at least one side of the scrim. The method may further include applying an opaque coating onto the translucent coating. Thereafter, a solvent is selectively applied to the opaque coating thereby forming a selected pattern on the awning fabric.