Vinyl Banner Material Selection

                                                                      By Jim Hingst 

@hingst_jim

This story is an excerpt from an article which appeared in Sign Builder Illustrated magazine in 2006.

Laminated vinyl material is still the most popular choice among sign makers for banner applications. A wide range of material is available for both outdoor and indoor applications.

The product range includes different material weights as well as variables in the fabric mesh. For an explanation of the basic terms used to describe the physical characteristics, please refer to my article: Buying Vinyl Banner Material.

To help you select the right vinyl banner material for different applications, this story provides some suggestions.

General Purpose Outdoor Applications

Heavy-duty vinyl banner material is a popular choice for outdoor applications. This material is durable and easy to decorate using a wide range of media, such as ink, paint, and pressure sensitive cut vinyl graphics.  

For outdoor applications, 13 oz. vinyl banner material with either a 500 x 500 or 1000 x 1000 denier scrim is acceptable for general purpose applications. Vinyl material is a very good choice for exterior applications, because it is flexible. This flexibility allows the banner to be taken down and rolled up for storage. Vinyl banner material and it withstands the force of the wind as well as rain and the baking and bleaching effects of the sun.

Pole Banners and Across the Street Banners

Across the street banners or pole banners, which are subjected to greater wind loads, require heavier material, either an 18 oz. or 22 oz. material with a 1000 x 1000 scrim. When printing on both sides of the banner, you will need a blockout vinyl material with good opacity. In selecting vinyl banner material it is best to test and evaluate the printability of the media prior to using it in production. Smoother banners typically provide for better results, however may not be suitable for outdoor applications.

Interior Vinyl Banner  Applications

Interior banners are an important segment of the sign business. Primary sales opportunities include banners for malls, convention halls, museums, concerts and stores.

Obviously, interior applications are much less demanding, because you don’t have to contend with the wind, sun or rain. For general purpose indoor banners or promotional displays a super smooth 13 oz. or 15 oz. vinyl banner material provides superb print quality. Smoother banner material will utilize a thinner 250 x 250 or 300 x 300 denier scrim with a thread count in the range of 36 x 36 or 40 x 42.

Banner Stands

Scrimless vinyl banner material is also available for less demanding interior applications, such are roll up banner stands. 13 oz. material features excellent layflat so edges don't curl. This material is also a good choice for short term applications, such as parties or an advertising promotion. The smooth surface provides for superior printability. A blockout layer provides needed opacity to obstruct light which detracts from the printed image.

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Design Basics for Banners
The Effect of Wind Loads on Banners
Buying Vinyl Banner Material
Fire Rating of Banner Materials

About Jim Hingst: After fourteen years as Business Development Manager at RTape, Jim Hingst retired. He was involved in many facets of the company’s business, including marketing, sales, product development and technical service.

Hingst began his career 42 years ago in the graphic arts field creating and producing advertising and promotional materials for a large test equipment manufacturer.  Working for offset printers, large format screen printers, vinyl film manufacturers, and application tape companies, his experience included estimating, production planning, purchasing and production art, as well as sales and marketing. In his capacity as a salesman, Hingst was recognized with numerous sales achievement awards.

Drawing on his experience in production and as graphics installation subcontractor, Hingst provided the industry with practical advice, publishing more than 150 articles for  publications, such as  Signs Canada, SignCraft,  Signs of the Times, Screen Printing, Sign and Digital Graphics and  Sign Builder Illustrated. He also posted more than 400 stories on his blog (hingstssignpost.blogspot.com). In 2007 Hingst’s book, Vinyl Sign Techniques, was published.  Vinyl Sign Techniques is available at sign supply distributors and at Amazon. 

Slides of Jim's Artwork

© 2016 Jim Hingst