Banner Material Types: Which One Is Right for You?

Written by Janis Mae Narvas ● Published on January 12, 2022

Banners are one of the most effective ways to promote ideas, share a message, and advertise goods and services. Made with lightweight materials, banners are easy to transport and set up, making them ideal for everyday use.

Banners come in a wide variety of materials that can be used in different situations. How do you know which one best suits your needs? Do you need a vinyl, a mesh, or a fabric banner? In this article, we’ll cover the most common banner material types to help you choose the right one for your project.

Common Banner Materials

There are several factors to consider when choosing the right material for your signs and banners. Some common materials used for banners include vinyl, mesh banners, and polyester fabric. It’s important to find the best one for your campaign so you can get the results you want. Here are some of their attributes and their common uses.

Vinyl Banners

Vinyl, a type of synthetic polyester, is a popular material for display banners. Vinyl banners are typically thicker than other types. At 48HourPrint, we have vinyl banners in two different weights: 13 oz. and 18 oz.

Material thickness (measured in ounces) indicates durability. Heavier materials are usually more durable than lighter ones. For everyday use, the 13 oz. vinyl banner is your best bet. With proper use and maintenance, it can last up to five years when displayed in a good location.

While vinyl is a highly durable material, if you’ll be using your banners frequently (at baseball games, for example), then consider getting the heavy-duty 18 oz. vinyl since it has more tensile strength.

Mesh Vinyl

Mesh banners are an excellent option for outdoor display because of their superior durability in windy conditions. Made with lightweight and durable mesh vinyl, mesh banners are waterproof and weatherproof.

The mesh material allows the wind to pass through without putting excessive stress on the sign, so it will last longer outdoors than vinyl or fabric signs. This makes mesh banners perfect for locations that are exposed to the elements, such as parks, sports complexes, construction sites, and storefronts.

Mesh banners can be displayed on any surface, such as chain-link fences, ceilings, walls, and windows. Ideally, they should be hung at a distance of at least 10 feet so that the viewer can see the design better.

Related Article: Your Guide to Choosing the Right Outdoor Signage

Poly Film Banners

Poly film banners are made with a smooth, thin sheet of paper-like plastic called polypropylene that comes with matte finishing and a dark gray backing.

Polypropylene banners are crease- and wrinkle-resistant, and don’t need to be laminated with a chemical coating for short-term outdoor use. Unlike poster paper and other types of thin plastic, the polypropylene banner material remains flexible after it is applied to a frame or pole.

This material is resistant to water, scratch, wrinkling, and tearing, which makes it ideal for display as window posters, retractable banners, X-Frame banners, lightboxes, point-of-purchase displays, or trade show signage.

Fabric Banners

Fabric banners are great if you’re looking to get a lot of mileage out of your banner. They are lightweight, extremely portable, and can be hung just about anywhere. They’re a great option for trade shows, conventions, or other events where you’ll be moving your banner around a lot.

Fabric banners are also a solid option if you want an economical product that doesn’t look cheap or flimsy. Polyester is durable and feels more substantial than vinyl, while still being relatively lightweight. It’s an ideal banner for decorating and advertising.

At 48HourPrint, we use polyester fabric for our premium retractable banners and tension fabric stands, which are great for events and indoor promotions.

How to Choose the Right Banner Material

What material should you use? Here’s a handy guide on the most common banner material types and their corresponding uses.

	Vinyl Banner	Mesh Banner	Poly Film	Fabric Banner
Weather Resistance	High – Protected against sun and moisture	High – Protected against sun and moisture	Low – can be damaged by external pressure	Low – can be damaged by external pressure
Indoor Lifespan	3+ Years	3+ Years	3+ Years	3+ Years
Outdoor Lifespan	3+ Years	3+ Years	1 Year	1 Year
Hanging Options	Grommets, Pole Pockets	Grommets, Pole Pockets	N/A; best displayed with an aluminum stand	Grommets, Pole Pockets
Best Use	Outdoors	Outdoors, especially in windy conditions	Indoors	Indoors

Design Custom Banners With 48HourPrint

Looking for a reliable printer where you can order custom banners with the right material? The print geeks at 48HourPrint got you covered! Here are some reasons why printing custom banners with us is always a good idea.

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