A vinyl banner is one of the hardest-working signs you can buy, as long as you order the right material, size, and finishing for where it's going. This guide walks you through every choice so your banner hangs flat, reads clearly, and lasts.
Pick the right material
Most banner questions start here. There are three main options, and the right one depends on where the banner hangs and how much wind it has to fight.
13 oz scrim vinyl: the standard
13 oz scrim vinyl is the everyday banner material and what most shops quote unless you ask for something else. "Scrim" means there's a woven polyester mesh sandwiched inside the vinyl for strength. "13 oz" refers to its weight per square yard. It's flexible, prints well, holds grommets, and handles most indoor and outdoor jobs: storefront grand openings, church events, school sports, trade show backdrops.
Heavier vinyl
Shops also carry heavier vinyl, often in the 15 to 18 oz range. It's thicker, stiffer, and more tear-resistant. It earns its place on large banners, long-term outdoor installs, and banners that'll be rolled up and hung again many times. It's also the base for most double-sided banners.
Mesh vinyl
Mesh vinyl is woven with tiny open holes that let wind pass through. It's the go-to for fence banners at ballfields, construction sites, and outdoor events, and for any big banner in an exposed spot. The trade-off is that the holes slightly soften fine detail and colors look a little lighter up close. From a normal viewing distance, it reads just fine.
| Material | Best for | Trade-offs |
|---|---|---|
| 13 oz scrim vinyl | Most indoor and outdoor banners, events, storefronts | Acts like a sail in strong wind on large sizes |
| Heavier vinyl (about 15 to 18 oz) | Large or long-term banners, double-sided, frequent reuse | Heavier to hang and ship, costs more |
| Mesh vinyl | Fences, scaffolding, windy and exposed spots | Slightly less crisp up close; not for backlit or two-sided use |
Single-sided or double-sided
A single-sided banner is all most people need. It hangs on a wall, a fence, a building front, or behind a table, and only one side ever faces the crowd.
Go double-sided when people will see the banner from both directions, like a banner stretched across a street, hung from a ceiling in the middle of a gym, or flown on a pole. Double-sided banners are printed on blockout vinyl, which has a light-blocking layer in the middle. Without it, sunlight shines through and the back image ghosts through the front. Printing both sides on regular vinyl usually looks muddy, so if you need two sides, ask for blockout.
Finishing: hems, grommets, and pole pockets
Finishing is what turns a printed sheet of vinyl into something you can hang. It's also where a lot of banners fail if it's done poorly.
Hems
A hem folds the edge of the banner back and welds or sews it down. It reinforces the edges so they don't fray or stretch, and it gives grommets something solid to hold. For outdoor banners, hemmed edges should be standard.
Grommets
Grommets are the metal rings set into the edge for ropes, bungees, or zip ties. A common standard is a grommet every 2 feet along the edges, plus the corners. Big banners or windy sites may call for closer spacing to spread the load.
Pole pockets
A pole pocket is a sleeve sewn or welded along the top, bottom, or sides so a pole or pipe can slide through. Pockets are the clean choice for banner stands, light-pole brackets, and parade banners carried on poles. Tell your shop the diameter of your pole so the pocket fits.
The wind slit debate
Wind slits are small half-moon cuts that are supposed to let wind pass through a solid banner. You'll hear strong opinions both ways. Many sign pros, us included, think slits don't relieve much pressure and can weaken the banner and start tears. If wind is a real concern, mesh vinyl usually does a better job. If you do order slits, keep them away from your main text and logo.
Common banner sizes and where they fit
Banners can be printed in almost any size, but a few come up again and again. Measure your space before you order. A banner that's six inches too wide for a fence section is a headache.
| Size | Where it fits |
|---|---|
| 2 ft x 4 ft | Indoor tables, counters, small booths, hallway walls |
| 2 ft x 6 ft | Front of a 6 ft folding table, narrow storefront spaces |
| 3 ft x 6 ft | Grand openings, porches, church and school events |
| 3 ft x 8 ft | Front of an 8 ft table, building fronts, fences |
| 4 ft x 8 ft | Building fronts, ballfield fences, larger events |
| 3 ft x 10 ft | Trade show booths, long storefronts, stage fronts |
| 4 ft x 10 ft and up | Building signage, road-facing fences, stage backdrops |
Size your lettering to how far away people will be. About 1 inch of letter height per 10 feet of viewing distance is a solid rule for easy reading. Our letter height calculator does the math for you.
How to hang it
- Zip ties: Quick and tight on chain-link fences and railings. Pack a pair of snips for removal.
- Bungee cords or ball bungees: A little give helps absorb wind. Good on fences and frames.
- Rope: Best for spanning between two posts or trees. Run it through every grommet, not just the corners.
- Screws with washers: For a semi-permanent mount on a wood or masonry building front.
- Pole pockets with poles: For banner stands, light-pole brackets, and parade use.
- Banner stands: Retractable and frame stands are popular for indoor events and trade shows. Ask your shop which banner finishing your stand needs.
Pull the banner snug and even from all sides so it hangs flat. Loose corners flap, and flapping is what tears grommets out.
Indoor vs. outdoor
Indoors, the wind is no issue, so 13 oz scrim with grommets or a pole pocket covers almost every job. You can usually skip mesh and wind concerns entirely, and you may not even need hems on a small banner that goes on a stand.
Outdoors, plan for sun, rain, and wind. Ask for hemmed edges and grommets, consider mesh for fences and exposed spots, and think about how long the banner needs to last. Sun is what fades colors over time, so a banner that hangs outside all year will wear faster than one brought out for weekend events. If you need a sign that lasts for years in one spot, a rigid panel may be a better fit; see our business signs options.
Care and storage
- Roll it, don't fold it. Roll the banner with the printed side facing out. Folding leaves creases that are hard to get out.
- Clean gently. Mild soap, water, and a soft cloth. Skip harsh solvents and scrub brushes.
- Dry before storing. Rolling up a wet banner invites mildew.
- Store cool and dry. A closet or a tube beats a hot attic or a car trunk.
- Relax wrinkles. Lay it flat in a warm room for a while, or hang it in the sun, and most roll marks ease out.
Artwork notes
A banner is big, so file prep matters. Here's what a good shop will ask for:
- Vector is best. Logos and text in vector format (AI, EPS, or a vector PDF) scale to any size without getting fuzzy.
- Raster at full size, about 100 to 150 ppi. Large-format prints are viewed from a distance, so that's usually plenty. Low-resolution web images won't hold up.
- Add bleed and a safe zone. 1/8 inch of bleed and roughly 1/2 inch of safe zone are common norms. On banners, also keep text clear of hems, grommets, and pole pockets, which take up extra space along the edges.
- Convert or outline fonts. That keeps your type from changing when the file opens on the shop's computer.
- Keep it simple. High contrast, one main message, and big type read best from across a parking lot.
Run through our artwork checklist before you send files. If you don't have artwork yet, our design services team can build it for you.
Quick questions
Can I use the same banner indoors and outdoors?
Yes, a 13 oz scrim banner with hemmed edges and grommets handles both. Just remember outdoor sun fades colors over time, so heavy outdoor use shortens its life.
Why does the back image show through my double-sided banner?
Regular vinyl lets light pass through, so the reverse side ghosts through. Double-sided banners should be printed on blockout vinyl, which has a light-blocking layer in the middle.
How do I get the wrinkles out of a banner?
Lay it flat in a warm room or hang it in the sun for a while and most roll marks ease out. Storing it rolled, printed side out, instead of folded prevents most creases.
Should I order a mesh banner for a chain-link fence?
For fences in open, windy spots, mesh is usually the better pick because wind passes through it. On a sheltered fence or for short events, standard 13 oz scrim with grommets works well.
MySignPal guides are general information to help you plan. Print specs vary by printer, and sign rules vary by city, county and state; confirm local requirements before you install.