There are many different kinds of printing materials, sizes and finishes to choose from when it comes to printing custom banners in the UK. This guide will discuss the various types of main luminous banners, provide a comparison of the material specifications used for each type and will outline what it takes to make a design print-ready, following the standard design procedure of studios like OKTshirt.
What Are Custom Banners Used For
Custom banners are applied to businesses’ outdoor campaigns, product launches, trade shows and storefronts. Banners are used for signage (as well as banners for sponsors and for wayfinding). It is important to recognize that there is a different priority for each use case: Storefront banners require long-lasting weather protection; Event banners focus more on quick delivery and lightweight materials to help them set up and take down quickly.
Types of Business and Event Banners
The main banner formats include:
- PVC banners for outdoor advertising and storefronts
- Pull-up (roller) banners for exhibitions and indoor events
- Mesh banners for locations exposed to high wind
- Fabric banners for a premium, wrinkle-resistant indoor display
- Pop-up backdrop banners for photo walls and stage branding
They vary in the manner of setting up (from eyelet-and-rope PVC banners to self-contained pull-up banners that require no extra equipment), thus requiring different setups.
Banner Material Specifications
| Material | Typical Use | Weather Resistance |
| PVC (510gsm) | Outdoor storefront and event banners | High, suitable for long-term outdoor use |
| Mesh PVC | Fencing and high-wind outdoor locations | High, wind passes through the mesh weave |
| Polyester fabric | Indoor exhibitions and backdrops | Low, intended for indoor use only |
| Vinyl banner (with grommets) | General outdoor advertising | High, standard eyelet-and-rope mounting |
The amount of weight, or gsm (grams per square metre) – heavier PVC materials used for longer term installations outdoors while the lighter the PVC the better it is for short-term indoor events.
Choosing the Right Banner Size
The size of the banner installation is based upon the distance to view and the location of the installation. A banner seen as it is carried through a vehicle should be large, have simple graphics, and have bigger text than one that’s seen at close range inside an exhibition hall. Usual pull-up banners are 850mm wide to 1000mm, although outdoors PVC banners are manufactured in custom sizes to fit the establishment required, for instance a shop-front fascia or event backdrop wall.
Design Requirements for Print-Ready Banners
The three essential components of a banner design that will produce a banner suitable for printing are: a high-res solution, a known bleed amount to avoid prints with white borders or edges, and CMYK colour mode – CMYK is the preferred colour mode for commercial printers. OKTshirt normally call for artwork at least 24-48 hours before the print date as well as for proofing and colour checks.
Indoor vs Outdoor Banner Durability
Any banner taught outdoors is to be printed with UV resistant ink and waterproof material to ensure it is not faded and does not become damaged by exposure to the elements like rain and sun. Unlike outdoor banners, indoor banners don’t require the same durability to withstand bad weather, and can be made from lighter and more easily folded fabric to be stored between events. Use of an interior product for an exterior use dramatically reduces the banner’s useful life.
Banner Finishing Options
Depending on the mounting method, finished banners can have multiple options for mounting. The length of PVC banners can be tied, hooked, or cable-tied to a fence, wall, or frame by the use of a metal chain eyelet (grommet) that may be spaced throughout the edges of the banner.
Pop-up background banners are lightweight aluminium masts with a tauted fabric/PVC display panel, which comes together easily without any tools. Retractable pull-up banners are stored and transported safely in a weighted casing at the base between shows. If the wrong finishing is selected at the design stage, it will result in expensive rework after the printing process if the banner needs to be finished afresh.
Planning Banner Orders Around Events
Over-ordering of banners for a specific date should take into consideration artwork approval, printing, and delivery time, all with some time margin for contingencies.
Outdoor banners should also be outfitted to handle light rain, or they could be secured or taken down for the case of high winds where the banner may be lifted off the ground or the eyelets could tear open, especially on high pull-up stands or unanchored stands.
Those companies who frequently order repeat event banners like annual trade show banners can save time on repeat orders with OKTshirt, as the approved artwork will be saved with the studio and so no further design is required.
FAQs
How large a pull-up banner should be?
Pull-up banners are generally 850mm – 1000mm wide and approximately 2000mm high, although there are custom sizes available upon request.
What’s the lifespan of an outdoor PVC banner?
With proper installation, outdoor PVC banners typically endure for anywhere from one to three years, depending on the material used, the level of exposure to the sun and outdoors conditions.
What file format is needed for banner printing?
Print-ready banner artwork is typically supplied as a high-resolution PDF or vector file in CMYK colour mode with a defined bleed area.
Can banners be printed for same-week events?
Turnaround time depends on order size and material, but many studios, including OKTshirt, can produce standard banners within a few working days of receiving approved artwork.
What is the difference between mesh and standard PVC banners?
Mesh banners have a perforated weave that lets wind pass through, reducing wind damage, while standard PVC banners are solid and better suited to sheltered locations.
Reordering Banners for Repeat Campaigns
If OKTshirt keeps the approved artwork print file, a business could reprint the same banner design without having to reorder the artwork if the business has a recurring print campaign like a seasonal sale, or an annual event, etc.
When reordering from a stored file, it also maintains the colour delivery between print runs by re-using the same colour profile and material specification for each print run.
Businesses that are interested in replacing outdoor banner screens on an intermittent basis for reasons other than design changes have a practical application if this is the case. If the design doesn’t change, artwork does not need to be re-approved for replacement, as it is not the route to the banner for environmental wear.
Conclusion
Custom banners UK printing covers PVC banners for use on storefronts, pull-up banners used for exhibitions, and wind-resistant wind-blast mesh banners to fit each specific purpose. Choosing the right material and the right size for the exact location, along with the help of the banner studio OKTshirt, makes the banner readable and stands firm under full use.
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