Transformative Fabric Graphics Production with Durst

Graphics producer Hargrove (Lanham, Maryland) has built a reputation as a leading U.S. creator of immersive events and exhibit environments. From presidential inaugurations and other government events to high-profile trade show exhibits and branded corporate experiences, the company turns bold ideas into large-scale spaces and activations.

At the center of that work is a busy 24/7 production operation. According to Rashid “Rush” Zbir, director of graphic services and prepress production, Hargrove produces roughly 1.5 million sq. ft. of graphics annually and supports dozens of major events.

“Since 1940, Hargrove has been focused on creating face-to-face experiences,” Zbir explains. “We design, fabricate, and produce for corporations and government agencies. We also do a lot of trade show exhibits.”

While Hargrove is best known for its fabrication and design expertise, production is an essential part of bringing those environments to life. To ensure production quality and reliability, Hargrove invested in a Durst P5 TEX iSUB dye-sublimation printer in late 2024 — an investment Zbir describes as “transformative.”

Unique Production for High-Profile Work

Unlike most wide-format printing companies, Hargrove is not simply a print service provider. It operates as a full-service experiential production partner, an integrated model that sets the company apart from many other graphics producers.

“We do everything unique,” Zbir says. “Our special events are very unique, and our exhibits are often completely custom.”

Because of that, Hargrove must produce a wide range of materials quickly and reliably. “The scale is significant,” Zbir says. “We’re producing a huge amount of graphics every year.” And, as the industry has shifted toward fabric applications, Hargrove recognized the need to upgrade its dye-sublimation printing capabilities.

Finding the Right Machine

But before installing its Durst system, Hargrove struggled to establish reliable dye-sublimation production. “We had bad luck with two dye-sub machines,” Zbir explains. “One machine arrived with issues and never really worked properly. Then, we bought an upgraded version of the same machine, and that one had mechanical problems for six months.”

During that period, the company was forced to outsource much of its dye-sublimation production. “That was extremely difficult for us,” Zbir says. “When your production is down and you have major events and exhibits coming up … you can’t afford that.”

Determined to find a better solution, Zbir began an extensive search for a new platform. “I did a lot of research,” he explains. “I traveled, went to trade shows, visited companies that were running different machines. I made a lot of phone calls and talked to other companies in our industry.” He noticed that one name kept appearing during that research: Durst.

“I looked at who was using Durst systems — large production companies,” Zbir says. “And when you see that level of companies using the technology, it gives you confidence.”

Hargrove Chose Durst

After months of evaluation, Hargrove ultimately decided to invest in the Durst P5 TEX iSUB, a high-production dye-sublimation printer designed for direct-to-fabric and transfer printing.

“It was a long process to make that decision,” Zbir says. “But it was a wise decision. Once we started producing, it was unbelievable.

“If I compare what we have now to what we had before, it’s a completely different situation,” he adds.

Installation included comprehensive training and onboarding for Hargrove’s production team, and the system was fully integrated into the company’s workflow. In its first year and a half of operation, the printer has already produced thousands of graphics.

“We’ve produced more than 3,000 banners so far,” Zbir says. “And we’ve had very few errors.”

Reliability and Print Quality Stand Out

One of the most immediate benefits of the Durst system was its production speed. “It’s fast — very fast,” Zbir says. “That was one of the first things we noticed.”

For a production operation running around the clock, that speed translates into improved throughput and scheduling flexibility. But speed alone isn’t enough. For many clients, which include major corporations and government agencies, print quality is paramount.

“The fixation and color quality are unbelievably good,” Zbir explains. “I’ve never had a phone call from a client saying the color doesn’t look right.”

The most important factor in any production system, Zbir says, is reliability, and the Durst system has delivered. “In our business, the machine has to run,” he says. “When we come in every day, we need to know it’s going to produce.”

He adds that over the past year and a half, the system has remained extremely reliable. That reliability, courtesy of Durst, has had a major impact on the shop floor. “Our production runs 24 hours a day,” Zbir shares. “I can’t afford for a machine to sit idle.”

Durst Support Stands Out

Beyond the performance of the machine itself, Zbir says Durst’s support has been equally important. “The customer service is outstanding,” he says. “If I had to rate it from one to 10, I would give it a 14.”

Most service issues, he says, are resolved quickly through remote diagnostics. “They can log into the machine remotely and troubleshoot. Most of the time it’s fixed very quickly and we’re back to production.”

That responsiveness has reinforced Hargrove’s confidence Durst. “Every time we make a phone call, they’re there for us,” Zbir says.

Supporting the Industry Shift Toward Fabric

Zbir says the decision to go with Durst positioned Hargrove to meet one of the biggest trends in exhibits and event environments: the growing demand for fabric graphics.

“More companies are going with SEG systems and fabric displays,” Zbir says. “Everything is moving toward fabric. We recently completed a large State Department project that was entirely fabric.”

As trade shows and experiential events continue to evolve, Zbir expects fabric production to grow even further.

Moving Ahead With Durst

Given Hargrove’s experience with its P5 TEX iSUB, Zbir says Hargrove is considering additional investments in Durst technology. “We’ll probably stay with Durst moving forward,” he says.

Future plans could include purchasing larger dye-sublimation systems or adding additional printers. “In the future, I would like to add a five-meter system and possibly another three-meter machine,” he says. “We need more capacity.”

Hargrove is also evaluating Durst flatbed technology for its production of rigid graphics. “If we had a Durst flatbed alongside the dye-sub system, “Zbir says. “I would sleep better at night.”