Abstract: A textured and printed membrane has an embossed top layer with a protective coating, a fabric layer, a printed bottom layer with a protective coating, where the layers are adhered with a PVC plastisol. The printing pattern matches the embossing, such that the membrane has the appearance of cloth on both sides. The textured vinyl membrane composite has a thickness of from 10 to 35 mils. The membrane can be fitted on an awning to display illuminated (white/opaque) graphics (lettering or design). The top layer is preferably compounded PVC formulated with a colorant. The bottom layer is also PVC, typically formulated with a flame retardant package, such as antimony trioxide or brominated compounds, aluminum trihydrate, magnesium hydroxide, and the like to suppress the spread of an ignited flame. Both top and bottom layers can have heat stabilizers and lubricants to improve processing of the PVC.

Abstract: The invention is a black-in-back backlit sign substrate that has an eradicable ink. The substrate is constructed of a scrim coated on the front-side and back-side with an extruded translucent PVC, and a back-side coating of an eradicable ink. The scrim is a polyester yarn having a count of 12×12 to 20×20, with a more preferable count of 18×15 to 18×18. The weight of the backlit sign substrate is in the range of 14 to 28 oz./sq yd, with a nominal weight of about 16 oz/sq yd for the 18×15 scrim and about 24 oz/sq yd for the 18×18 scrim. The tensile strength of the 18×18 scrim sign substrate is about 270 lbs/in in the warp direction and about 220 lbs/in in the fill direction. Overall, the weight of the front-side coating is preferably slightly heavier than the back-side coating to ensure that the face of the sign is very smooth. The substrate is calendered to enhance smoothness, reduce coating profile imperfections, or to add embossing.