PVC, mesh or fabric: choosing the right banner material

Most banner briefs start with the artwork and the size. The material deserves just as much thought, because it decides how the banner copes with wind and rain, how it looks under lighting, how it is fixed and whether it can be used again. The three materials most people choose between are PVC, mesh and fabric. Each is the right answer in some situations and the wrong one in others.

PVC banners: the all-rounder

PVC (often just called vinyl) is the material most people picture when they think of a banner. It is a solid, waterproof sheet that prints with strong, saturated colour and holds fine detail well.

• Good for: shopfronts, event signage, railings and walls in reasonably sheltered spots, and indoor promotional displays.
• Watch out for: wind. A solid banner acts like a sail. On a fence or scaffold in an exposed location, the force on the banner and its fixings can be considerable, which is why the supporting structure matters as much as the print.
• Double-sided displays: if the banner will be seen from both sides, ask about a blockout material, which stops the print on one side showing through to the other.

Cutting “wind slits” into a PVC banner is sometimes suggested as a fix for exposed sites. It reduces the load a little but weakens the material and spoils the graphic. If wind is a real concern, mesh is usually the better choice.

Mesh banners: built for exposed locations

Mesh is a perforated material that lets some air pass through, so it catches far less wind than a solid banner. That makes it the usual choice for scaffolding wraps, construction hoardings, fences and large outdoor events.

• Good for: large outdoor graphics, high or exposed sites, and long runs of fencing.
• Watch out for: fine detail. Because the surface is perforated, small text, thin lines and subtle gradients look less crisp than on solid PVC, especially up close. Design for distance: big headline, bold logo, high contrast.
• Viewing from behind: mesh is partly see-through, so it suits single-sided displays.

Mesh reduces wind load; it does not remove it. The fixing method and the structure behind the banner still need to be suitable for the site.

Fabric banners: the premium indoor finish

Printed fabric gives a soft, matt finish that looks more refined than vinyl at close range. Because it doesn’t have a glossy surface, it avoids reflections from spotlights and camera flashes, which makes it popular for event backdrops, stage graphics and anything that will be photographed.

• Good for: exhibition stands, event and press backdrops, hanging banners in atriums, and interior branding.
• Watch out for: outdoor use. Fabric is mainly an indoor material. It also needs a suitable frame, pole pockets or tensioning system to hang flat.
• Venues: many exhibition centres and event venues ask for fire-performance documentation for graphics. Mention this before ordering so the material can be checked against the venue’s requirements.

A practical bonus: fabric graphics can usually be folded for transport and storage, while PVC is better rolled to avoid creases.

Quick guide: which material?

• Shopfront or event signage, sheltered outdoors or indoors: PVC.
• Scaffolding, construction fencing or a windy, exposed site: mesh.
• Seen from both sides: blockout PVC.
• Exhibition stand, stage, press wall or photographed backdrop: fabric.
• Reused at several events and transported often: fabric, or a banner stand system.

Finishing is part of the choice

How a banner is fixed affects the finish it needs. Hems strengthen the edges. Eyelets let it be tied or bungeed to railings and frames, and their spacing should suit the fixing points on site. Pole pockets let it hang from a pole or slide onto a frame. Fabric graphics may need edging made for a specific frame system. When you request a quote, tell us how and where the banner will be fixed, and we can suggest the right finishing.

What to include in your brief

1. The finished width and height, and the quantity.
2. Where it will go: indoors or outdoors, and how exposed the site is.
3. How it will be fixed, and whether it is seen from one side or both.
4. How long it needs to last, and whether it will be reused.
5. Any venue requirements, such as fire-performance documentation.
6. Your artwork, or a design brief, and your required date.

You can read more about each option on our banner printing, mesh banners and fabric banners pages, and our artwork and file guide explains how to set up your print files.

Planning a banner?

Call 020 7237 9333 or email sales@superchrome.co.uk with your sizes, quantities, location and date.