The aesthetics and effects of a banner material

There are several different banner materials on the market. Banner material can have a lot of impact on the aesthetics of a banner design, therefore, it is important to choose the appropriate banner material. Most commonly, vinyl material is used for banner printing purposes, however, banners can be printed on canvas, biodegradable vinyl, mesh vinyl, or cloth. Which material is the best, is up to you to decide. We will talk to you about the material specifications.

Let us start with canvas; Canvas is a type of polyester fabric with a non-reflective matte finish look. Banners printed on canvas are a good choice for upscale environments with lots of natural or artificial lighting. However, the longevity of canvas material isn’t that satisfying. Canvas is a fabric, hence the shorter life term. They are perfect for indoor use, because they are not being directly exposed to weather conditions, and they most likely won’t get wet or affected by strong sunlight, and they won’t come in contact with the wind.

Cloth banners are similar to canvas banners, but they’re typically used as table cloths only, at tradeshows, public events, company promotions, etc. Since they are also made of fabric, their expected life term is also quite short. Of course, every banner’s lifespan mostly depends on how they are being taken care of, if they are being installed and stored properly, etc., but they certainly cannot last as long as vinyl (plastic) banners. They are also more prone to getting stained and ripped, and can only be used indoors, or outdoors if the weather conditions are good enough, but only for shorter periods of time.

Mesh vinyl banners are made of PVC plastic with 50% of the banner surface being small holes. Those holes in the material allow the air and the wind to flow through the banner, without causing excessive damage, therefore, these banners are typically only used outdoors. Their lifespan is supposed to be a lot longer than fabric banners, but they are not quite as strong as regular vinyl banners. Also, being that the surface of the banner consists of microscopic holes, making the banner semi-transparent, the color vibrancy of the design is not going to be too strong. Another thing to consider is that mesh doesn’t perform too well in the cold. Extreme cold will make the material brittle.
Biodegradable vinyl banner material is an eco-friendly type of vinyl material. The material has the benefit of being compostable in landfills. This type of material can be used both indoors and outdoors. However, it is not recommended for long-term outdoor use, because of the nature of this material. It will eventually start decomposing, and you will need to replace it. The process of breaking down of the material takes three to five years.
Finally, regular white vinyl material; This type of material is the most common in the banner printing industry. Just like any other banner material, it can come in various different “weights” (aka thicknesses), but the most common ones are 13 and 18 oz., 13 oz. being commonly used indoors, and 18 oz. being commonly used outdoors. Regular white vinyl material is made of PVC plastic, just like mesh vinyl, but it is a lot stronger than mesh, and it has better resistance to cold than mesh vinyl does. This material can have a glossy, semi-matte, and matte finish. Semi-matte and matte are most commonly used because users typically prefer their banners not to have a flashback or a “reflection”, especially when a banner is being used as a backdrop. Regular vinyl can last you for many years if used indoors, and for up to 6 years when used outdoors, with proper care and installation, of course. Most vinyl banners are, nowadays, digitally printed, therefore the color payoff is typically excellent and vibrant. The ink used on digitally printed vinyl banners is solvent, therefore it won’t smudge or run when exposed to rain or snow, or when exposed to heat. However, the ink will eventually start fading if the banner is constantly being directly exposed to strong sunlight.
Whichever banner material that you decide to choose, its purpose is limitless. We recommend that you opt for regular white vinyl material, but the final decision is up to you. We hope that the information above was informative enough, and don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions and/or concerns. We are always happy to assist you!