A banner is not one product. The material determines whether it survives a Queens winter on a fence or tears loose in the first storm.
13oz scrim vinyl
The default, and the right answer most of the time. Scrim refers to the polyester mesh woven inside the vinyl, which is what gives the material its tear resistance. It is weather resistant, takes ink well, folds for storage and is the most economical option.
Use it for grand openings, sales, event signage, sponsor banners and general outdoor use of a season or two.
18oz blockout
Heavier vinyl with an opaque black layer sandwiched in the middle. That center layer is the entire point: it stops light passing through, so a double-sided banner does not show a ghost of the reverse side.
Order it whenever both sides are printed, when the banner hangs where light comes from behind, or when you need something rated for longer outdoor exposure.
Mesh
Perforated vinyl full of small holes that let wind pass through. On a solid banner, wind load is what rips grommets out of the hem and pulls fencing down.
Use mesh for construction fencing, scaffolding, rooftops, stadium railings and any large banner in an exposed position. You trade a little color density for a banner that stays attached.
Fabric
Polyester fabric with a soft matte finish and no glare. It hangs in folds rather than curling, packs into a bag without permanent creases, and photographs far better than vinyl under lights.
Use it for trade show backdrops, indoor stage banners, step and repeat walls and anywhere a camera will be pointed at it.
Finishing
Hemming
The edge is folded and welded to double the material. Never order an unhemmed outdoor banner. The hem is what stops the grommet tearing straight out.
Grommets
Metal rings for rope or zip ties. Standard spacing is every two feet with one in each corner. On larger banners or windy sites, ask for closer spacing.
Pole pockets
Sewn sleeves along the top and bottom for a pole to slide through. The right choice for hanging banners and street pole sets.
Wind slits
Half-moon cuts that let gusts through. Genuinely useful on solid vinyl in exposed positions, though mesh is the better answer if wind is a constant.
Artwork resolution for large format
Banners are viewed from a distance, so they do not need 300 DPI at full size. Building at 100 to 150 DPI at final size is standard. What matters more is that the source artwork is vector wherever possible, especially logos and text, since vector scales to any size without softening.
Sizing for your site
Measure the space before ordering, and measure what you are actually attaching to rather than the wall behind it. If you are unsure, send us a photo with a rough measurement and we will mock it to scale first.
See the full range on our banners and signs page.
Need this printed? We are on Hillside Avenue in Jamaica, Queens.