Banners
We make indoor and outdoor custom banner signs of all types for a variety of promotional purposes including sales and special events, product identification, school banners, church banners, sporting event banners, sponsor banners, trade show banners, and directional banners. Our high quality printing combined with our huge variety of banner materials means we can produce custom banners to suit any application. We offer a large selection of reinforced vinyl banner materials in various weights and finishes including some that can be printed on both sides that popular for both indoor and outdoor use. We have synthetic banner materials that are great for indoor use, a wide range of fabric banner options as well as many options for mesh banners and a selection of environmentally friendly banner materials as well.
The Available Materials tab below shows the selection of different custom banner products we offer. The descriptions for each material will give you an idea of the qualities and uses that each material is designed for, as well as tell you the maximum size each can be printed. All our custom banner printing is full color, which means that you can use any number of colors for your banner without it changing the cost. Look through the information in that tab to find the best product for your banner needs, and maybe get an idea or two for something different.
Be sure to look through the FAQ tab below for helpful information and answers to common questions about banners, and the Our Recommendations tab for suggestions on the best materials to use for different types of banners.
This page is devoted to custom printed banners. If you are looking for hardware to display your banners, check out our Display Hardware section in the main menu above for information on Poster & Banner Hangers, Banner Stands, and Outdoor Displays for different types of banner display hardware.
If you would like to get prices before you order, you can use our Price Calculator from the Quick Links menu on the left, or by clicking the Calculate Price button next to each item in the Available Materials tab. The calculator is basically the same as the first part of the order process, so if you're thinking about ordering, you may want to click Place Order to get pricing information, since that way you will have the option to continue on and actually complete the order.
- Available Materials
- Our Recommendations
- FAQ
- How to Order
To find pricing information for printing on any of the materials below, click the Calculate Price button.
Specialty Banner Materials
These materials have special characteristics that make them different from the other banner materials we offer, so we've split them out into their own category. While not suitable for every situation, they have properties that make them ideal for certain applications.
Indoor Tear-Proof Banner - 8 mil
This economical, tear proof glossy material is made of high-density polypropylene and accepts heavy ink coverage to produce brilliant colors. It's an environmentally friendly option for short term indoor banners and posters. It can be mounted, laminated and grommeted. Available in widths up to 60".
Approximately 1-20 year indoor longevity, depending on the inks used.
![]()
![]()
Opaque Polyester Film - 7 mil
This satin-finished, tear-resistant, polyester film has an anti-static gray light-block back and a bright white textured finish for optimal image quality. It's an eco-friendly material that is water proof and scratch resistant and features high color brilliance. The film's finish and hang flat properties make it the perfect choice for no-curl roll-up displays. Available in widths up to 50".
Longevity of 5-50 years indoors, depending on exposure to sunlight.
![]()
![]()
Polyester Display Film - 7 mil
This glossy polyester film has a blockout layer on the back so no light can be transmitted through the material. It's printed at our highest resolution and image quality, resists edge curl, and has a glossy finish for rich, saturated colors. Polyester is very eco-friendly, and it's printed with water based inks for one of the most environmentally conscious graphics available. It’s an excellent choice for banner stand graphics, especially retractables and can be used as is for short term use, or as our Tradeshow Banner, which is this material with our 5 mil polycarbonate laminate. Available in widths up to 50".
Longevity of 5-50 years indoors, depending on exposure to sunlight.
![]()
![]()
Ultra Smooth Indoor Banner - 12 mil
This unique material features a smooth vinyl face on each side with a polyester blockout layer in the middle which makes this product printable on both sides, completely opaque and curl resistant. It’s offers a semi-matte finish, excellent image quality and is waterproof and scratch resistant, making it a good choice for banner stands and hanging displays. Available in widths up to 54".
Longevity of 5-50 years indoors, depending on exposure to sunlight.
![]()
![]()
Fabrics
The fabrics shown below are all direct printed with either water based or solvent based inks, and are specially designed for that purpose. There are a wide range of weights, finishes and textures available so look through the descriptions below, check out the Our Recommendations tab for more info, and use the Calculate Price buttons to get printing prices.
Flame Retardant Polyester Banner - 5 oz
This tear-proof woven 100% polyester fabric is flame retardant so it can be used at trade shows or in public places like museums for elegant hanging banners and displays. It is water resistant when printed with dye inks (shown) and waterproof with solvent inks. It meets NFPA 701 fire testing standards, and is designed not to fray easily so hemming is optional. Available in widths up to 60".
Approx. longevity of 1 year outdoors, 5 to 20 years indoors.
![]()
![]()
Water Resistant Satin Fabric - 6 mil
This woven cloth has a high tear strength and a special coating that gives it excellent color saturation with a matte finish, and it back lights very well. Great for retractable banner stands, backlit and point-of-purchase displays, and window shades, Not suitable for environments where rough handling can occur since the image can be scratched. Available in widths up to 60".
Approx. longevity of 5 to 20 years indoors.
![]()
![]()
Flame Retardant Cotton - 10 mil
This 100% cotton fabric banner material is excellent for banners, trade show exhibits, podium signage, table cloths, flags, curtains, and window displays. The image is scratch resistant and waterproof, but water may cause the cotton to shrink or curl, so it is only recommended for indoor applications. Available in widths up to 98".
Approx. longevity of 5 to 20 years indoors.
![]()
![]()
EVO - 17 mil
EVO is an environmentally-friendly and recyclable non-woven polyester and polyamide fabric. This durable fabric offers bright, sharp images, resists wrinkling, and will not curl on the edges. EVO is flame retardant, water resistant, and breathable. EVO contains no heavy metals, PVC resins, phthalates or fungicides, and the manufacturing process creates no pollution. We print this fabric with water based inks to make for the ultimate in eco-friendly retail banners, signs, and retail posters. Available in widths up to 60".
Longevity of 5-50 years indoors, depending on exposure to sunlight.
![]()
![]()
Nylon Taffeta 2.4 oz
This sheer weatherproof nylon taffeta material is ideal for flags as well as marine boat applications. Specially treated for excellent print quality and color density, this sheer fabric can also be used in POP and tradeshow environments. Available in widths up to 58".
Longevity of 6 months to 1 year outdoors, 5-20 years indoors.
![]()
![]()
Poly Oxford 8 oz
This oxford weave polyester fabric has excellent strength and dimensional stability, and is highly wrinkle resistant with excellent color depth. This makes it our favorite fabric and is ideal for banners, POP displays, patio umbrellas, and backdrops, and any indoor or short term outdoor use. Available in widths up to 60".
Longevity of 5-20 years indoors, depending on exposure to sunlight.
![]()
![]()
Cotton Duck - 8 oz
This 100% cotton fabric is great for banners, exhibits, point of purchase displays, and other soft signage. It offers excellent color depth, and is also very durable. Can be hemmed and grommeted. Available in widths up to 42".
Approx. 10-50 year indoor longevity with pigmented inks, 2-5 years with dye inks.
![]()
![]()
Poly Satin Fabric - 5 mil
This 100% knitted and rip proof polyester fabric is very scratch resistant and weatherproof, and the glossy finish allows to have excellent color saturation for a lightweight fabric. It’s excellent for flags, banners, window displays and trade show exhibits. Available in widths up to 98".
Longevity of 5-50 years indoors, and 6 months outdoors.
![]()
![]()
Polyester Heavy Banner - 10 mil
This 100% polyester fabric banner material is very scratch resistant and weatherproof, making it perfect for banners, trade show exhibits, podium signage, table cloths, flags, curtains, and window displays. It is heavy enough to be used outdoors and can be sewn and grommeted. Available in widths up to 98".
Longevity of 5-50 years indoors, and 6 months outdoors.
![]()
![]()
Waterproof Matte Canvas - 17 mil
This waterproof canvas is great for art reproductions, photos on canvas, murals, indoor or outdoor hanging banners or point of purchase displays. Can be sewn and grommeted. Available in widths up to 60".
Approximate longevity of 50 years indoors, and 6 months outdoors.
![]()
![]()
EverGreen Fire Retardant Cloth - 10 oz.
EverGreen fabrics are unique in that they are designed to be environmentally friendly throughout their life cycle. This polyester fabric is strong, lightweight and scratch resistant. The low gloss finish is excellent for sales events, interior design and architecture, exhibitions and museum events, as well as for artwork. Available in widths up to 54".
Approximate longevity of 5-20 years indoors.
![]()
![]()
Sunbrella® - 10 oz
Sunbrella® is a premium product made in the USA from 100% acrylic, and is the industry standard for high quality street banners, awnings, casual furniture and boat covers. This weatherproof material has a woven canvas look and features excellent UV resistance, high wrinkle resistance and is fray resistant after cutting. Available in widths up to 60".
Approx. longevity of 50 years indoors and up to 3 years outdoors.
![]()
![]()
Silk Satin - 8 mil
This 100% Crepe de Chine woven fabric is great for banners, flags, exhibits, fashion design, and other soft signage. The print shows through up to 90% on the back side for a double sided look. The paper backing can also be left on for more opacity. Available in widths up to 36".
Approx. 10-50 year indoor longevity.
![]()
![]()
Belgian Linen - 5.5 oz
This 100% Belgian linen fabric has a natural color and is excellent for creating unique signs, banners, and backdrops, as well as decorator items like pillows. This material is water and scratch resistant, but should not be used outdoors because it is not completely waterproof. Available in widths up to 42".
Approx. 5-50 year indoor longevity with pigmented ink
![]()
![]()
Mesh
Mesh is popular for both indoor and outdoor use. Generally, it's used outdoors to reduce wind resistance, but indoors for trade show use, it's popular because of its semi-transparent look. Using mesh you can have printed wall panels that enclose your booth space without blocking the view in our out of your space. There are a wide range of weights and styles available so look through the descriptions below, check out the Our Recommendations tab for more info, and use the Calculate Price buttons to get printing prices.
Micro Mesh - 7.4 oz
This mircro-perforated flame retardant textile has a linen look with exceptional dimensional stability. It’s highly flexible, has a light finish and exhibits no edge curl, making it ideal for hanging displays, theater decor, POP advertising and other graphic displays where some translucence is desired. Available in widths up to 86".
Approx. longevity of 20 years indoors.
![]()
![]()
Super Mesh - 8 oz
This PVC vinyl coated polyester mesh produces a partially translucent image for indoor or outdoor use. Great for outdoor banners, building wraps, partitions and hanging banners for trade shows and retail display. It reduces the wind load when used outdoors by allowing 37% air flow through the banner. Available in widths up to 98".
Longevity of 1-3 years outdoors, 5-20 years indoors.
![]()
![]()
Mesh Plus - 12 oz
This super-tough polyester mesh with PVC vinyl coating is flame retardant, and it's as strong as 24 oz scrim vinyl, making it the most durable we offer. The smaller holes also make for a stronger image than other mesh products, making it perfect for indoor or outdoor use. Can be sewn, grommeted and welded. Available in widths up to 63".
Longevity of 1-3 years outdoors, 5-20 years indoors.
![]()
![]()

Vision Mesh - 12.4 oz
This unique flame retardant mesh has an anthracite black backing for a transparent, one-way vision effect from inside, making it perfect for shop windows, POP advertising and solar protection. It has a gloss finish and hangs with no edge curl even with heavy ink coverage. Available in widths up to 63".
Approx. longevity of 5-20 years indoors.
![]()
![]()
Scrim Reinforced Vinyl
Scrim vinyl is a standard for outdoor banners, as the scrim reinforcement gives them excellent tear strength, but they are also popular indoors. While vinyl banners make many people think of low-end products, there are a huge range of vinyl banner materials, from low end to high end, so look through the descriptions below, check out the Our Recommendations tab for more info, and use the Calculate Price buttons to get printing prices.
13oz Gloss Scrim Vinyl
This low-cost, medium-weight durable weatherproof banner solution is ideal for outdoor or indoor use. The gloss finish is excellent where more vibrant color is desired and reflection off the surface is not a concern. Can be sewn and grommeted. Available in widths up to 99".
While the print is good for up to three years outdoors, the banner itself has a 6 month to 1 year outdoor life depending on installation and wind conditions. Indoor longevity of 5-20 years.
![]()
![]()
13oz Matte Scrim Banner
This low cost, medium weight scrim reinforced banner solution is designed for outdoor our indoor use. The matte finish is excellent where reflection off the surface is a concern. Can be sewn and grommeted. Available in widths up to 99".
While the print is good for up to 3 years outdoors, the banner itself has a 6 month to 1 year outdoor life depending on installation and wind conditions. Indoor longevity of 5-20 years.
![]()
![]()
13oz Blockout Scrim Vinyl
This durable, weatherproof, scratch-resistant banner solution is smooth on both sides with a blackout layer in the middle making it ideal for single or double sided use. It has a soft, fabric-like quality that makes it excellent both indoors and out. This is the economy material used in all our banner stands. Available in widths up to 80".
Outdoor longevity of 6 months to 3 years.
![]()
![]()
Curl Free Fire Retardant Banner - 12oz
This banner material is durable, flame retardant, and specially designed to eliminate edge curl which makes it the material of choice for banner stands and hanging displays where flat, curl-free edges are important. It’s canvas-like texture and low gloss finish give it a high-end look and helps minimize glare. Available in widths up to 86".
Outdoor longevity of up to 6 months, indoor longevity of 5-20 years.
![]()
![]()
Backlit Banner Vinyl - 14 oz
This flame resistant glossy backlit banner vinyl offers tremendous image quality and color depth in a durable material that is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. A true translucent vinyl, it can be used in a lightbox or free hanging since it has the strength of a scrim reinforced banner. Available in widths up to 63".
Approx. longevity of 5 years indoors and 2 years outdoor.
![]()
![]()
15oz Gloss Scrim Vinyl
This heavyweight scrim reinforced banner solution offers tremendous color depth and saturation, as well as excellent durability. It’s smooth finish and high white point make for superior image quality, and the weight and construction give it excellent lay flat properties. Available in widths up to 72".
It’s fade resistant for up to three years outdoors, or 20 years indoors, but it’s outdoor life expectancy is 1-2 years if properly hung, depending on wind conditions.
![]()
![]()
15oz Matte Scrim Vinyl
This heavyweight scrim reinforced banner solution offers a low gloss finish for situations were glare is a concern, as well as excellent durability. It’s smooth finish and high white point make for superior image quality, and the weight and construction give it excellent lay flat properties. Available in widths up to 72".
It’s fade resistant for up to three years outdoors, or 20 years indoors, but it’s outdoor life expectancy is 1-2 years if properly hung, depending on wind conditions.
![]()
![]()
16oz Gloss Scrim Vinyl
This glossy scrim-reinforced vinyl offers excellent image quality and color depth in a durable 16oz weight. Excellent for banner applications both indoors and out. It is scratch resistant, weather proof, and features coated construction which gives it superior strength. Available in widths up to 62".
Can be sewn and grommeted. Approx. outdoor longevity up to 3 years.
![]()
![]()
16oz Matte Scrim Vinyl
This durable, weatherproof, scratch-resistant banner material has a smooth matte surface and is great both indoors and out. It offers excellent image quality and is perfect wherever a durable material is needed with a low gloss finish. It also hangs straight without edge curl so it's an excellent choice for hanging displays and banner stands. Available in widths up to 62".
Outdoor longevity of 2 years, 5-20 years indoors.
![]()
![]()
18oz Blockout Scrim Vinyl
This durable, weatherproof, scratch-resistant banner solution is smooth on both sides with a blackout layer in the middle making it ideal for single or double sided use. It has a soft, smooth surface that makes it excellent both indoors and out, and the low gloss finish is great for situations where glare is a concern. Available in widths up to 99".
Outdoor longevity of 6 months to 3 years, indoor longevity of 5-20 years.
![]()
![]()
20oz Premium Blockout Scrim Vinyl
This luster finished vinyl is smooth on both sides with a blockout layer to allow for double sided printing and provide superior image quality in an extra heavy 20oz weight. It is scratch resistant and weather proof, and flame resistant making it perfect for use indoors and out. Can be sewn and grommeted. Available in widths up to 63".
Approximate outdoor longevity up to 3 years, 5-20 years indoors.
![]()
![]()
Many people think that vinyl banners look cheap, but in reality, it's what is on the banners that makes them look cheap, not the material. And, there are many different types and grades of vinyl from the typical materials that are so common, to high end materials that look like fabric or canvas. A good design that is well printed will look good regardless of the material it's printed on, and red block letters on a white background will look cheap no matter how nice the banner material is. In reality, unless someone were to get closer than 5 feet away from the banner, they probably couldn't tell what it was printed on, so we feel you should choose a banner material based on the qualities it offers, even if the best material for your needs is a vinyl.
Banners for Indoor Use
The 13oz Scrim Vinyl is our least expensive banner material. While it's a standard banner material for outdoor use, it's also popular indoors because it's inexpensive and durable. The 15oz gloss or matte scrim vinyl is a higher quality scrim vinyl that has a smoother surface, heavier weight, and will hang flatter. While more expensive than the 13oz scrim vinyl, it's still very inexpensive and an excellent value. The Curl Free Fire Retardant Banner is an excellent choice for both banner stand graphics and free hanging banners. This vinyl coated fabric prints very well and has the upscale look of canvas with a low gloss finish. It's specially engineered to hang flat without curling on the edges like standard banners, and it's flame retardant so it's good for a wide range of applications including banner displays in public places such as theaters, museums, airports, and shopping malls.
The synthetic banner materials are good for certain situations, mostly those where a stiffer banner material is required. Rather than being fabric-like, as the vinyl banner materials are, these materials are more like heavy paper or thin plastic. They are made from polyester or polypropylene, so they are very eco-friendly, and they have smooth surfaces so they print very well. But, they don't free hang very well as they will tend to curl up without some type of hanging system to hold them. They are very good for banner stands or hanging systems where they have support, though.
For double sided banners, the 18oz and 20 oz blockout vinyls offer excellent image quality, and their heavier weights helps them to stay flat and hang better than lighter weight materials. They are booth very smooth, and are also excellent choices for high quality single sided banners.
For fabric banners, the Flame Retardant Polyester is our least expensive fabric. It prints very well, is durable and fade resistant, so it's a great choice in a less expensive fabric. The Evergreen Flame Retardant Cloth is our most eco-friendly product, and has great color as well. Like all fabrics, it hangs well and has a nice, upscale look. The Polyester Heavy Banner is one of our most popular fabrics. It's a heavier fabric with a more textured finish like canvas, and it prints very well and hangs straight. The Poly Oxford is the fabric that produces the very best image with great color depth and saturation, as well as high image quality, so if you're looking for a fabric that prints about as well as a vinyl banner, this would be a good choice.
For sheer banners, curtains, partitions or backdrops when you want an upscale, partially transparent look, the MeshTex is a great choice. It's our most transparent fabric so it's great when you really want a subtle look. The Nylon Taffeta is another great choice. This fabric prints extremely well for such a sheer material so you can get a strong image or a partially see though graphic, depending on the lighting. The Micro Mesh is an excellent product where you want a partially transparent look without losing so much of the image since this product is almost solid with very small holes in the mesh so you get a very subtle see through effect. The Mesh Plus and Super Mesh are also excellent for transparent banners, but they don't drape like the other two so they wouldn't be suitable for curtains, but they would be excellent for wall panels or other applications where the banner needs to hang flat. There are literally dozens of other fabrics on the market, so be sure to contact us with any special needs and we can advise you on what's available.
Banners for Outdoor Use
Mesh and vinyl banners are the most common for outdoor use, since they are the most durable products. Many of the fabrics we offer can also go outdoors, but they don't have the durability of the mesh and vinyl banners, and they tend to be more expensive, so they are not as common. Many of them can go outside though, so they would be good options for banners that get used outdoors for short periods of time, or ones that need to move around both indoors and out.
The 13oz Scrim Vinyl is our standard outdoor banner material, and our least expensive option. Some companies consider it a heavy weight material, but it's the lightest weight banner vinyl we offer. If hung properly, it has an outdoor longevity of 6 months to 1 year so it's great for short term event and promotional banners. The 15oz Scrim Vinyl is a heavier, more durable vinyl banner material with a smoother finish for those who want a longer lasting banner. If hung properly, this material has an outdoor longevity of 1 to 2 years, and it can last much longer depending on how it's used. This material is excellent quality material is inexpensive, making it one of the best values around.
For outdoor banners in windy environments, mesh banners are very popular because the wind can pass through the holes in the mesh reducing the stress on the banner, as well as what it's attached to. Of these, the Mesh Plus is the heaviest and most durable. It has the equivalent strength of 24oz vinyl, making it the most durable banner material we offer. Keep in mind that with mesh banners, they tend to be difficult to read if they are backlit. So, if you're hanging your banner in an area where lighting, or the sun, will end up behind the banner at certain times of day, it will be difficult to read during those periods.
Normal turnaround time is 4-5 days. During the order process you will be asked if you have a specific due date, and if you do, we will adjust your shipping method, if necessary, to get your order to you on time. If you need your order even quicker, we also have a rush service. If you authorize rush charges, we can get your order shipped the same day or the next day. Rush charges are typically 50% of your order up to a maximum of $75. If we're able to meet your deadline without bumping other jobs, we won't actually charge the rush charge, but you must authorize the rush to guarantee delivery.
Yes we can, even if you don't know what you want on it. But, since all our design time is charged by the hour, if you already know what you want on your banner, it can save quite a bit of time, and therefore cost a lot less than if we have to come up with the concept and the design. So, if you know what you want your banner to say, and have any logos or photos that you want to use, send them to us with your order, indicate you need design work when the option appears, and we will contact you to discuss it. Once we create your banner design, we'll send you an electronic proof for approval prior to printing.
The banner materials themselves are white, so any color other than white is part of the design that is printed on them. If you want a banner with a red background and white letters, we are basically printing the red background and leaving the letters unprinted so the white of the banner material shows through. Just like printing on paper with a desktop printer.
With printed banners, the base material is white and printed with either water-based or solvent-based inks so the image becomes part of the banner. While it's possible to scratch or scuff the printing on the banner, it can't peel off or be removed. Any number of colors can be used, so it's possible to print high quality photos and logos in addition to solid colors.
With cut vinyl type banners, adhesive vinyl letters or graphics are computer cut and stuck onto a banner blank to make a banner. The banner blanks will typically come an assortment of solid colors, as does the adhesive vinyl. This used to be very common because printed banners were very expensive and not very durable outdoors. With the widespread use of solvent inks, cut vinyl banners have become less popular because your are limited to just a few colors, and the letters can shrink and peel off. So, while you can get a blue banner with red letters, you may not be able to get exactly the shade of blue or red you want, and you can't have a graduated color in the background or use a photo or soft drop shadow. While we do offer this type of banner for our customers who request it, we don't recommend it for most situations because of these shortcomings. For situations where you want a solid color background with a solid color type, it may still be practical, but if you want more than one color in your lettering or logos, a printed banner will be less expensive and will most likely hold up much better.
The finishing of your banner will depend on the material you choose. Hemming is done with inferior materials that fray easily, or to add strength to the edges of the banner to support the grommets. We don't use the inferior materials that fray easily, and we try to avoid hemming banners because it looks bad and makes them hang poorly. Instead we usually use a hem reinforcement on the back side of the banner to give it more strength than a hem without the sloppy look. This is only necessary for outdoor banners as indoor banners don't need the extra strength, so indoor banners are finished with a clean trimmed edge. Outdoor banner also have a clean trimmed edge, but have the reinforcement on the side edges. If you want additional hem reinforcement you can choose that option under Other Finishing during the order process.
Also under the finishing options you can choose to have grommets in the top corners and along the top, or in all corners and along the top. If you want some other kind of grommet placement, you can indicate that in the special instructions area of the order.
You can order any banner with grommets, which will give you attachment points for hanging them. The best way to hang banners from grommets is to put some tension on the grommets so the banner is pulled tight and hangs flat. If your banner is for indoor display, we also sell banner hanging systems that are good looking an inexpensive. Check out the page for Poster & Banner Hangers to learn more about the different banner hanging products we offer.
For outdoor use, grommets are the preferred method to attach a banner to just about any surface. It's even more important to keep outdoor banners under tension, because if there is too much slack in the banner, it can whip around in the wind, and the force that generates will tear up the banner or rip out the grommets, no matter how strong the banner material is. So, we recommend either attaching the banner with something that gives, such as bungee cords, or checking the banner at regular intervals to adjust the tension and keep it tight. Since bungee cords stretch, you can put the banner under tension and it will be able to flex in the wind without coming loose. We sell Ball Bungees which are a quick and easy way to attach a banner, and they can be found on the order form under Display Hardware in the subcategory Outdoor Display and Sign Hardware, Outdoor Sign and Banner Accessories. For more installations against a wall, such as on the side of a building, you can use screws or bolts with washers through all the grommets, but again, make sure the banner is pulled fairly tight. This type of installation can last for quite a while because the banner is protected by the wall from wind, but you must be sure to take the slack out of the banner. We also have a banner frame system designed to be attached to a wall the side of a truck that holds the banner smooth and tight, and lets you change the banner fairly easily when you want. With a system like this, a banner can last for 3 years or more outside since it can't be damaged by wind. Contact us for more information on this banner frame system.
We get asked this all the time, but the answer isn't easy because the legibility of the type depends on the viewing distance. There is an actual math formula to calculate the best size for type legibility from a particular distance, but it's rather technical, so we like to use the simpler method of making the cap height of the type 1/200 of the viewing distance. For example, if you want your type to be legible from 100 feet, you would want 6 inch tall letters. Also, sans serif type faces are more legible from a distance and in short blocks, while serif type faces are easier to read in longer passages of text. That's why road signs are almost always in a sans serif type face such as Helvetica, and books and magazines are almost always in a serif type face such as Times.
Fabric is popular because there are many that are sheer enough for the image on the front to show through to the back, giving you a double sided appearance. The problem is that any type or logos read backwards on the back side of the banner. There are a few different ways to deal with this. If you actually want a double sided banner, there are materials that are opaque that can have an image printed on each side, but they are vinyl coated fabrics. There are no actual fabrics that can be printed on both sides without the image on one side interfering with the other, so the way to make a double sided fabric banner is to actually print two banners and sew them back to back with a blockout liner sewn in between. This is more expensive and in our opinion, doesn't look as good as printing a double sided vinyl banner, so we don't recommend it.
If you're not interested in a double sided banner, there are fabrics that are heavier so the image from the front doesn't show through much to the back so the reversed type effect on the back isn't noticeable. The Polyester Heavy Banner and Poly Oxford fabrics are good choices.
When you're ready to order, you can use the main menu above or Place Order button next to each item in the Available Materials tab. This section will cover in detail the steps you need to take to place an order for banners using our order form.
When you first open the order form, there will be an expanding list of items on the left. If you use the Place Order button, you can skip to the next paragraph, otherwise, choose the Printing for Indoor Use or Printing for Outdoor use option, depending on which you're interested in, then choose the appropriate category such as Banner Vinyls, Fabrics, Mesh,etc. Next, pick the specific material you want from the materials in the drop down list. If you haven't already decided on a material, you can choose different items and read their descriptions to help you make a choice. If you need some help in deciding, you can also look in the Our Recommendations tab for some suggestions.
Once you have decided on the material, you will need to indicate if you are sending a file, providing a photo/film to be scanned, or if you need us to design your graphics. If you are sending a photo or film, you will need to indicate in the next step that a file is not needed for your order. If you are sending a digital photo or file, then you must indicate how you are sending the file. You can choose Upload Now and click the Upload button that appears to send your file at this point, which is recommended, you can choose to send your file later or one of the other options.
Once you tell us how you are sending your file, you will be presented with a form to complete. Here you need to tell us what size to print your banner by entering the width and height in inches. This is the size you want the finished banner to be, not the size of your file.
Next enter the number of copies you want printed in the quantity field and the price will be calculated. If you are ordering multiple graphics of different files, you should complete these steps for each graphic. To speed up the process, some customers prefer to attach all their graphics of the same size and indicate here the total number of prints they are ordering at this size, rather than complete the info for each file individually. You can do this if you prefer, but the prices shown will not be accurate in that case.
Next you can select from any available finishing options such as grommets. In general, only finishing options that are appropriate for the type of printing material you have selected will be available. For instance, if you selected the Polyester Heavy Banner material, there would be no lamination options as fabrics cannot be laminated, and there would be no mounting adhesive or mounting substrate options available since that product is not designed to be mounted on a board.
Next you can request a proof. A reduced size printed proof is $30 and will be printed on the same material as your final print, but an electronic pdf or jpg proof is free. A pdf proof is good for checking the general layout, proof reading, etc., but if you're concerned about color accuracy or the quality of an image when enlarged to full size, a physical proof is the best option. A reduced size proof of the overall design is good for proofing color, or we can print a section of the graphic at full size so you can see how an image will look when blown up. If we feel the file will print poorly, we will always contact you to discuss your options before printing, but since our expectations and yours may not match, and since custom printed graphics cannot be returned, a proof is your best way to verify what the final print will look like in advance.
The final step before adding your print to the shopping cart is to tell us what you want us to do if your file doesn't fit the dimensions you gave us. The options are to have us size your file to fit the dimensions you provided and crop any excess, or to contact you for instructions. If you're sure that your image actually sizes correctly to your dimensions, it doesn't really matter which option you choose because neither one will be necessary. But, if you're not sure, you should either choose to have us contact you, or tell us to crop the image to fit. We'll do our best to crop your image in way that makes sense, but you should also be sure to request a pdf proof so you can see the results of the cropping.
Once you've complete all the previous steps, click the Add to Cart button to add this print to your shopping cart. On the shopping cart screen you can see all the items you've added to your order, delete any that you don't want, and have another chance to upload your file if you chose Upload Later from the order form. You can also choose Add Another to add another item to your order.
You don't need to log in or create an account to select and add items to your shopping cart, but you will need to do so in order to complete your order. This so your account history can be maintained for future reference and ordering convenience. Your account information is secure and confidential, and creating an account WILL NOT result in unwanted e-mails from us, or anyone else.
Once you have placed all the items you want in your cart, and are logged in to your account, click the Order Now button. You will be asked to specify either normal turnaround time for your order, or provide a specific due date. If you do specify a due date, you will also be given the option to authorize rush charge for your order. If you need your order completed in less than the normal 3-5 day turnaround, you should authorize rush charges to ensure you get your order on time. Rush charges are 50% of your order total, up to a maximum of $75. If we don't have to bump other jobs to meet your deadline, you won't be charged the rush fee, but if you don't authorize the charges, we'll do what we can to complete your order on time, but won't go so far as to bump other jobs. If you specify a due date, we will adjust the shipping method, if necessary, to ensure your order arrives by the date you specified. In this case, extra shipping charges may apply.
Next you will be asked to select the shipping method, and finally the payment type. You should know that your credit card is not being charged when you submit the form. We are collecting the information for your order, but you will not be charged until we have verified your order to make sure there were no mistakes made. That way, if there are aspects of your order that change, we can adjust the order and the shipping cost, if necessary, before you are charged.
Once you click the Order button, you will receive an order summary via e-mail for your records, and we will receive your order and the process can begin.
As always, if you have any questions or need assistance, please Contact Us and we'll be happy to help you with the process.

