Blockout Fabrics for Digital Printing: What Print Shops Need to Know
Category: Digital Printing | Reading time: approx. 5 minutes
Blockout fabrics digital printing — these are among the most requested textiles in the wide-format printing industry.. Whether you’re producing trade show displays, room dividers, or double-sided banners — choosing the right blockout fabric makes all the difference.
As a German manufacturer of blockout fabrics for digital printing, we answer the most common questions from industry practice.
What Are Blockout Fabrics?
Blockout fabrics are light-blocking textiles developed specifically for use in advertising technology and trade show construction. Their defining property: they prevent light from shining through from the back — the so-called “show-through” effect is completely eliminated.
This makes them the first choice for:
- Room dividers and display walls in trade show halls
- Double-sided printed banners at brightly lit locations
- Frame systems and stretch frame displays in retail and POS environments
- Backdrop walls at events and presentations
Black or White Backing – What’s the Difference?
This is one of the most frequently asked questions in practice. The answer depends on the application:
Black Backing (Blackback) Fabrics like the Midnight Pro or Midnight Soft from GOF have a black inner layer. This is ideal when:
- The back side will not be printed
- Maximum light-blocking is required
- The fabric is used in dark environments (e.g. stage, studio)
White Backing Fabrics like All-White or WhiteNight are ideal for:
- Double-sided printable applications
- Bright environments where a white back looks visually cleaner
- Applications where both sides are visible
Which Printing Processes Are Compatible with Blockout Fabrics?
GOF blockout fabrics are available for all common digital printing processes:
- Sublimation printing (transfer and direct) – for particularly vivid colours
- UV printing – for high scratch resistance and outdoor use
- Latex printing – for low-odour production and indoor environments
Important: not every blockout textile performs equally well with every printing process. The 7255KMFLBS BlackBack, for example, was specifically developed for sublimation printing and offers best-in-class scratch resistance. The 7034BBFS Midnight Pro, on the other hand, is suitable for sublimation, UV, and latex printing alike.
What Widths Are Available?
GOF produces blockout fabrics in stock widths from 150 cm to 510 cm — making seamless, large-format applications possible. The 7186RBBFS Midnight Soft, for example, is available up to 505 cm wide thanks to its high structural stability.
Double-Sided Printable – What Does That Mean Technically?
Double-sided printable blockout fabrics such as the Satinette Double (6669KMX2) or the Deco Double (7019BSX2) offer an equal print surface on both sides. This means:
- Both sides absorb ink evenly
- The blockout layer in the middle prevents ink bleed-through
- The result: two independent print images on a single piece of fabric
This saves production costs and weight compared to using two separate fabric panels.
Are There Sustainable Blockout Alternatives?
Yes. GOF offers the Re-Midnight Soft (7186RC7RBBFS) — a blockout fabric made from recycled polyester. It combines the technical properties of the Midnight Soft with a measurably reduced carbon footprint, making it ideal for customers with sustainability requirements or ESG reporting obligations.
Frequently Asked Questions About Blockout Fabrics
Can blockout fabrics be used outdoors? Generally yes, but the specific product should be checked for UV resistance and water repellency. GOF is happy to advise on a product-specific basis.
What is the difference between blockout and lightbox fabrics? Blockout fabrics prevent light transmission. Lightbox fabrics, on the other hand, are engineered to let light pass through evenly and are designed for backlit applications. The requirements are essentially opposite.
Are GOF blockout fabrics flame retardant? Selected products from the GOF range are available with flame retardant treatment. For trade show construction and public events, this is often a legal requirement — please contact us for details.
Which blockout product is suitable for stretch frame systems? The Midnight Soft and Re-Midnight Soft were specifically developed for smooth running in stretch frame systems — with high stability even at widths up to 505 cm.
GOF Blockout Fabrics – Overview
| Product | Backing | Printing Process | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midnight Pro (7034BBFS) | Black | Sublimation, UV, Latex | All-rounder |
| All-White (7034BWFS) | White | Sublimation, UV, Latex | Double-sided printable |
| WhiteNight (7034WWFS) | White | Sublimation, UV, Latex | Double-sided printable |
| Midnight Soft (7186RBBFS) | Black | Sublimation, UV, Latex | Up to 505 cm, soft handling |
| Re-Midnight Soft (7186RC7RBBFS) | Black | Sublimation, UV, Latex | Recycled polyester |
| BlackBack (7255KMFLBS) | Black | Sublimation | Best scratch resistance |
| BlackBack (7255KMGFS) | Black | Sublimation, UV, Latex | High elasticity |
| BlackSilk GFS (7019KMGFS) | Black | Sublimation | Smoothest surface |
| Satinette Double (6669KMX2) | — | Sublimation | Double-sided, silky finish |
| Deco Double (7019BSX2) | — | Sublimation | Double-sided printable |
Request Samples Now
All GOF blockout fabrics are available as samples. We supply the right quality for your application — made in Germany, direct from the manufacturer.
👉 Request samples 👉 All blockout fabrics in the product finder
Georg+Otto Friedrich GmbH & Co. KG is a family-owned manufacturer of warp knitted fabrics for digital printing and technical textiles, based in Germany. For over 75 years we have been developing and producing textile solutions for the wide-format printing industry, trade show construction, and industrial applications.