The vinyl banner buying guide
Everything to decide before you order a banner, explained the way we'd explain it across the counter.
Read guide · 7 minVinyl banners
Vinyl banners built to hang straight and read far
Banners carry big messages where yard signs can't: fences, storefronts, stages and building fronts. Choose the right vinyl and finishing, and your banner will hang flat and survive the weather.
Standard material13 oz scrim vinyl
Windy fencesMesh vinyl
FinishingHems + grommets
Most outdoor banners are printed on 13 oz scrim vinyl: a woven polyester mesh laminated in vinyl. It's tough, flexible and affordable. For a banner that reads on both sides, a heavier blockout vinyl keeps one side from showing through the other. For fences and windy spots, mesh vinyl lets air pass through so the banner doesn't act like a sail.
Finishing is where good banners separate from bad ones. Hemmed edges resist tearing, and grommets every couple of feet spread the load. Pole pockets let you slide a banner onto a pole or stand. Our vinyl banner guide covers all of it.
What your quote covers
- Material and print options matched to how long the sign needs to last
- Pricing at the quantities you're considering
- Stakes, frames or mounting hardware
- Shipping to your address, rolled into one delivered price
- Production and arrival estimate for your deadline
Popular uses
Who orders vinyl banners
Events & festivals
Fall festivals, 5Ks, reunions, homecomings and graduations.
Churches & schools
Service times, enrollment, VBS, sports and booster clubs.
Storefronts
Grand openings, sales and "coming soon" banners.
Campaigns
Headquarters, rallies, parade floats and debate nights.
Construction fences
Mesh banners for job-site fences and screening.
Stages & tables
Backdrops, step-and-repeats and table-front banners.
Sizes & specs
Common formats
| Size | Good for | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| 2' × 4' | Tables, doors, small storefronts | Keep it to a few words |
| 3' × 6' | The everyday event and storefront banner | Grommets in the corners and along the edges |
| 4' × 8' | Fences, building fronts, stages | Consider mesh if it will face wind |
| 3' × 10' and longer | Long fences and parade floats | Add grommets along the top and bottom so it hangs evenly |
Need something else? Custom sizes are available from most print partners. Just tell us the dimensions.
Options
Choices to make
- 13 oz scrim vinyl, heavier blockout vinyl for double-sided, or mesh for wind
- Hemmed edges for strength
- Grommets in corners and along the edges
- Pole pockets for poles and banner stands
- Single- or double-sided printing
- Bungees or zip ties for quick installs
Learn first
Guides for this project
Yard Sign Design Tips
Short words, big letters, strong contrast: the sign-shop rules that make a yard sign readable from a moving car.
Read guide · 7 minArtwork Checklist
Everything your printer needs from your files, plus a pre-flight checklist to catch mistakes before they're printed on every sign.
Read guide · 7 minFAQ
Questions, answered
What's the difference between 13 oz vinyl and mesh?
13 oz scrim vinyl is solid and gives the richest color. Mesh is perforated so wind can pass through, which makes it the better choice for fences and exposed, windy spots.
Do banners need wind slits?
Cut slits are a common fix, but they weaken the banner and don't relieve much wind. For a windy install, mesh vinyl is usually the better answer.
Can a banner be printed on both sides?
Yes. Double-sided banners are typically printed on a heavier blockout vinyl so one side doesn't show through the other.
How should I store a banner between events?
Roll it with the printed side out, never fold it, and keep it dry. Folding leaves creases that are hard to get out.
Got a sign project? Let's price it out.
Tell us the size, quantity and deadline. We'll come back with material options and one delivered price: printing, hardware and shipping included.