Pop-ups

Pop-ups have been around for about 25 years and the design over that time has not changed a great deal. This is because they are generally pretty well suited to their purpose. Pop-ups are a very effective solution for large, portable, easy to assemble backdrops.

Pop-ups consist of an aluminium tubular frame covered with a series of panels that join closely to form a continuous and seamless covering across the frame. The frame expands to form the solid structure behind the backdrop. Channel bars then connect to the frame to form vertical lines of either magnetic or steel channels. The Panels are produced on flexible plastic and edged with magnetic tape. The magnetic tape then adheres to the channel bars, and panels abut to produce the seamless image.

Pop-up frames are made up of a series of squares, or quads, about 70cm x 70cm. The terminology for the size of frames is generally the number of quads vertically by the number of quads horizontally. The two most common sizes are 3x4 and 3x3.

Pop-ups come in three configurations: curved, straight, and wave. The area that the pop-up takes up is called the footprint (see appendix)

Pop-up systems take about 10-15 minutes to set up.

Abstracta uses 6 different types of pop-up. Although this may seem complicated, this is to ensure that we sell our partners the best fit-for-purpose product.

• Standard Maxi and Mini
• Tabletop
• Super
• Extender
• Fabric

Standard

This is a basic system suitable for the majority of user’s requirements. It is only available in curved, but in two sizes – Maxi (2.4m high), and Mini (2.0m high). The Abstractex standard pop-up represents extremely good value, and still possesses superior quality over systems in the same price bracket:

• Standard pop-ups are manufactured in Hollywood, California, not China.
• 25 year old manufacturer
• Aviation drawn aluminium, stronger weight for weight over extruded. Can even withstand being jumped on!
• Frames are self-locking, which means no fragile or ineffective locking arms to keep the frame expanded. In systems where this arm breaks or gives way, it results in a useless frame, collapsed exhibition stand, or misshapen graphics
• Frames are cross-braced. Cross-braces are diagonal struts that criss-cross the frame from corner to corner. This makes the frame a solid structure. Non-crossbraced frames have a tendency to lean when they are not perfectly level, this means the graphics do not line up properly. Ask before you buy a non-cross braced system.
• No need for stepladders! Our systems are designed to be assembled from the ground, including addition of lights!
• Hardware comes with lifetime Warranty. Any problems - send it back, we will repair.
• Our cases are manufactured using a rotational molding process. This means the cases are made from a single piece of plastic – no weak points. Also plastic is thicker than you would find from Press molded, or vacuum formed cases.
• Graphics are of the highest specifications. Lambda print, which is a laser process onto Kodak photographic paper. This yields up to 1200 dots per inch. Also, graphics are encapsulated front and back. They have an anti-scuff, UV protective seal on the front, and a stoplight seal on the back. Ask if your graphics are laminated front and back.
• Additional lighting and external shelving available

Tabletop

The Abstractex tabletop system is a smaller version of the standard system designed specifically to act as a backdrop to a table display.

Super

Sometimes something more than a standard curved system is needed. The Abstractex super range can offer solutions to most users’ requirements. It is available as straight, curved or wave, and the systems can be joined together to form larger, more complicated displays. You can also add internal showcases, or flat screen monitors.

Extender

The Abstractex Extender pop-up is probably the most versatile pop-up on the market. Its unique construction allows the user to expand and contract the system to the desired width.

Fabric

The Abstractex Fabric pop-up is our simplest pop-up display system. The graphic design is printed to a fabric using a dye-sublimation technique (superior to solvent printing), which is them directly joined to the frame. The frame and graphic are raised at the same time, which makes this extremely compact, light, quick and easy to assemble.