I’ve heard that some people actually fish with it (including, I’m sure, my nephew Ben). But for those of us in the retail trade, fish line — or monofilament, as it is properly called — is a an essential tool for doing displays.

Crate and Barrel makes extensive use of monofilament in their in-store and window displays, giving you the feeling that their signs and merchandise are floating in the air.  This goes well with their extensive use of big windows with lots of natural light.   But even a more traditional store can make sure of fish line to fasten merchandise in place in a display, or to make sure that everything remains upright.  You might also want to use it to connect items that are being sold as a set to make sure that the pieces don’t get separated, or to attach a tag with additional product information.

You can find fish line, logically, in a hardware or sporting goods store. It comes in several weights, based on how big a fish you are angling for.  We like to have several weights on hand so that can match the thickness to our display needs.  We string prisms, for example, on the lightest weight, and hang signs and objects with heavier weight.  Make sure that you buy the clearest fish line available, rather than blue, black or green, unless you will be hanging objects against a colored background that you want it to blend into.

You’ll also want to make sure that your knots are secure, so you might try using a classic fishing knot.  You should also take into account the fact that fish line can stretch, especially if it is holding up a heavy object, and check on it periodically.  I must confess that I straightened a few of the floating signs for Crate and Barrel when I was in their stunning Michigan Avenue store this past week.  I learn a lot from excellent retailers like C & B, so a little sign straightening is just my small contribution to help their displays look perfect!

Happy Retailing,

Carol “Orange” Schroeder