EcoBead™: Why Silicone-Free SEG Edging Matters
When people think about sustainability in tradeshow graphics, they usually focus on large components — fabrics, frames, or lighting systems.
But some of the most meaningful improvements happen in the smallest details.
One of those details is the beading stitched along the edge of SEG fabric graphics — the component that tensions the fabric and locks it into the frame. In most cases, this beading is made from silicone, a material that performs well but poses significant challenges at the end of its life.
At Design To Print, we asked a simple question:
If this component touches every SEG graphic we produce, shouldn’t it reflect the same values as the rest of the system?
That question led to EcoBead™.
What Is SEG Beading and Why It Matters?
SEG (silicone edge graphic) systems rely on a flexible bead sewn along the perimeter of fabric graphics. This bead fits into a channel within the frame, pulling the fabric taut and creating the clean, frameless finish SEG is known for.
While the bead itself is small, its impact is not. Every SEG graphic includes it — and traditionally, that bead is made of silicone.
Silicone is durable and flexible, but it is also:
Difficult to recycle
Slow to break down in landfills
Rarely accepted in standard recycling streams
Over time, those small components add up to a significant waste problem. Even when fabric graphics are recycled or downcycled, silicone edging often becomes the limiting factor.
Introducing EcoBead™: A Silicone-Free Alternative
EcoBead™ is Design To Print’s proprietary SEG edging made from a blend of recycled plastics. It was developed to match the performance of traditional silicone while offering a clearer end-of-life path.
Made from a blend of recycled plastics, EcoBead™ was engineered to match the flexibility, fit, and tensioning performance of traditional silicone. It integrates seamlessly into existing SEG frame systems and installs using the same methods teams are already familiar with.
Most importantly, the difference of EcoBead™ isn’t visible on the show floor. Graphics look the same. Installs feel the same. Production timelines remain unchanged.
Performance Without Compromise
One of the most common concerns when replacing a standard material is whether performance will suffer. EcoBead™ was developed specifically to avoid that compromise.
In real-world use, it maintains consistent tension across large graphics, holds securely through repeated installs without stretching, and continues to create the clean, frameless appearance SEG systems are known for. There is no added complexity for installers and no visual difference for end users.
By prioritizing performance first, EcoBead™ ensures sustainability enhancements don’t introduce friction elsewhere in the workflow.
This upgrade happens behind the scenes — all without impacting the visual result on the show floor.
Why Small Components Matter at Scale
It’s easy to overlook small details when evaluating sustainability. But in grand-format production, scale changes how impact should be measured. A single component may seem insignificant on its own, but when that component appears on thousands of graphics each year, improving it creates meaningful long-term change.
Replacing silicone edging combined with a recyclable fabric alternative for SEG prints, helps reduce long-term waste and supports cleaner end-of-life processing for fabric graphics.
Sustainability isn’t always about big changes — sometimes it’s about making smarter decisions consistently.
EcoBead™ and End-of-Life Compatibility
One of the key advantages of EcoBead™ is its compatibility with fabric recycling and downcycling programs.
By eliminating silicone from the edge:
Fabrics are easier to recycle and process after use
Material streams remain cleaner
Downcycling becomes more viable at scale
This makes EcoBead™ a critical part of closing the loop on SEG graphics, rather than just improving one isolated step.
Built In, Not Added On
EcoBead™ is not offered as a premium upgrade or an optional add-on. It’s part of how Design To Print produces SEG graphics by default.
Clients don’t need to request it, specify it, or pay extra for it. It’s already embedded into the system — because sustainability works best when it’s automatic.
Looking Ahead
As expectations around sustainability continue to evolve, attention to detail will matter more than ever. The future of responsible production depends on rethinking not just what’s visible, but what’s built into every layer of the process.
EcoBead™ is one example of how thoughtful design choices can reduce waste, support end-of-life solutions, and move the industry forward without compromising quality, performance, or efficiency.
If you’d like to learn more about how EcoBead™ fits into sustainable SEG systems, we’re happy to help.