In our modern world, we’ve become accustomed to visual communication. Images are all around us, and we’re designed to process and recall images better than any other medium. Tensioned display systems offer companies and organizations a great option for communicating visually. They provide a beautiful and versatile solution for displaying signage, photos, employee recognition, or other items in your workspace!

Tensioned cable systems are designed to display a collection or series of items using cables that are fixed between two points. Display items can include:

• photos
• signs
• menus
• works of art
• and more!

To create a tensioned display system, cables are tightly secured to the wall using mounting brackets.The display items are attached to the cables with metal clamps to ensure they stay securely in place. Tensioned cable displays create a modern, elegant look in corporate work areas.

This tensioned cable system beautifully displays Accella Performance Material's brands in the company's corporate training center in Las Vegas.

We recently installed tensioned systems for Accella Performance Materials, Mapco Express Inc. and the Americana Music Triangle. Let’s take a look at these three projects to see different ways companies use tensioned display systems.

Accella Performance Materials

Accella, based near St. Louis, Missouri, is comprised of a collection of chemical and material technology brands, such as foamsulate, Tru-Motion, Acry-Tek, QuadFoam, and many more. To promote each of the brands, we designed and fabricated a collection of 15 custom logo signs and displayed them on a tensioned display system in Accella’s National Training Center in Las Vegas. The display system was concepted and designed by Birdsong Creative of Franklin, TN.

The small signs were made using ¼” thick wooden backer panels that were laser cut with rounded corners. We then applied a layer of simulated brushed metal to ¼” thick black acrylic sheets and laser cut rounded corners to create the sign faces. We printed the brand logos onto the brushed metal using our flatbed printer.

We created small custom logo signs for each of Accella's brands. These attractive signs were made from wood and brushed metal.

To install the signs, we mounted brackets to the wall and then secured braided stainless steel cables in the brackets. The logo signs were attached to the cables using edge grips. The result is a beautiful collection of logo signs in a versatile tensioned display. If a sign needs to be changed … no problem! The signs can be easily exchanged.

Mapco Express Inc.

Mapco recently remodeled its headquarters here in picturesque Franklin, TN. They hired us to design, fabricate and install a large variety of projects in their new workspace, including custom logo signs, wayfinding signage, ADA compliant signage, name plates, as well as a new custom dimensional sign for the corporate break area. They also wanted to install a new display system to highlight some of the markets in which they serve, as well as some of their service stations.

To begin this project, our designer worked with Mapco to select and layout the images. To install the tensioned cable system, we mounted aluminum brackets to the walls near the ceiling and floor. We installed braided stainless steel cable to fit tightly within the brackets. We attached a large collection of 17” x 12” folded acrylic pockets to the cables and inserted the photos. The pockets were designed to allow employees at Mapco to easily interchange the images.

Mapco's cable system contains images of the markets in which they serve, as well as some of the local Mapco service stations.

The images in these tensioned cable displays are interchangeable, so they can be easily refreshed by any Mapco employee. 

Americana Music Triangle

In addition to displaying collections or groups of items, tensioned cable systems can also be used in more creative ways. Here’s a great example! A couple of years ago, we worked with Birdsong Creative to come up with a unique interactive design for the Americana Music Triangle display in the Williamson County Convention and Visitors Bureau. We decided to use a tensioned cable system as part of the custom project.

To create the look of guitar strings, six tensioned cables were attached to the wall using aluminum brackets. The cables were fed through four aluminum bars, which created the appearance of frets on a guitar. A clear acrylic pocket was also attached near the top to hold event posters (which can be changed periodically.) An iPad wall mount, which provides an interactive experience for visitors, was also attached to the cables. Pretty cool use of a tensioned system, wouldn’t you agree?

We love how the cables in this tensioned display resemble guitar strings! What a great way to showcase the Americana Music Triangle's interactive experience!

As you can see, tensioned display systems offer companies an attractive option for displaying items in various configurations. One of the greatest advantages of these types of systems is versatility. Once the system is installed, the items that are attached to the cables can be easily interchanged without removing the entire tensioned system.

Does your company or organization have a collection of items that needs to be showcased? Or do you have empty walls that could benefit from a beautiful, unique display? You should consider a tensioned display system! Our talented designers can work with you to come up with a design that fits your company’s style and budget.

We also offer dimensional logo signs, wayfinding signage, architectural displays, custom projects, vehicle advertising wraps, and more! We service all of Middle Tennessee, including Nashville, Hendersonville, Brentwood, Franklin, Spring Hill, and Murfreesboro. Give us a call at (615) 595-6564 or click on the button below. We look forward to working with you!