Driven by rapid growth in custom graphic padding across scholastic, collegiate, and municipal athletic facilities, Bison Inc. has announced major technical upgrades to its custom protective padding line.
As part of Bison’s ongoing Continuous Improvement Program (CIP), the company has upgraded its core vinyl substrate, expanded its high-resolution printing infrastructure, and transitioned its padding production into an enlarged, state-of-the-art facility footprint.
Enhanced Material Science: Upgrading to 18 oz. Heavy-Duty Vinyl
Safety padding must withstand high-impact athletic collisions while maintaining its visual appeal over years of heavy use. To deliver maximum durability and print fidelity, Bison has upgraded the standard printable vinyl used across its wall padding, portable basketball system base pads, volleyball stanchion covers, football goal post padding, and scoring tables.
Key Material Improvements Include:
- Higher Tensile & Tear Strength: Increased material weight from 16 oz. to 18 oz., significantly improving resistance to punctures, seam stress, and surface tears in high-traffic gymnasiums.
- Superior Print Adhesion: Formulated with an advanced printable topcoat that enhances ink bond, resulting in sharper graphic resolution, deeper color saturation, and resistance to image flaking.
- Uncompromised Safety Compliance: Retains full compliance with stringent institutional fire-retardant standards while offering built-in UV inhibitors and anti-mildew treatments for long-term outdoor and indoor performance.
Expanding Printing Automation and Production Capacity
To meet peak seasonal demand without sacrificing turn times, Bison has invested heavily in automated, high-output production technology and expanded floor space.
Next-Gen UV Printers
Bison has added industrial-grade UV ink printers capable of running 24/7 unattended production. This technology accelerates output on large-scale facility projects, such as full-perimeter arena wall padding or multi-court volleyball complexes, while maintaining color consistency across every panel.
Streamlined Padding Department Footprint
As part of Bison’s newly completed 85,000+ square foot facility expansion, the dedicated Padding Department now operates within a significantly enlarged production zone. This layout optimizes material workflow from raw foam cutting and vinyl printing to final assembly, driving higher daily throughput and shorter seasonal lead times for authorized dealers.
Full-Service Design and Submittal Support
Outfitting a sports facility with custom graphics often presents design and formatting challenges for local dealers and school committees. Bison’s in-house art department bridges that gap by offering flexible design workflows:
- Custom Concept Creation: Bison’s vector artists can generate full facility concepts with minimal initial direction, providing clear proofs for school boards and athletic directors.
- Direct-to-Print Capability: Facilities with established branding can submit print-ready vector files across a wide range of standard digital formats for immediate processing.
Specifying Bison Custom Graphic Padding
From high school fieldhouses to NCAA tournament venues, Bison custom graphic padding combines verified player protection with high-impact visual branding.
To request physical vinyl color swatches, fire rating documentation, or custom graphic proofs for an upcoming athletic facility project, contact your regional Bison Sales Representative or visit bisoninc.com.