Fabric or vinyl for an indoor banner
Choose fabric when people will see the banner up close under lights. Choose vinyl, meaning PVC, when it will get knocked about or has to be up in a hurry.
Why fabric usually wins in nice rooms.
Indoors, the first thing you notice about a banner is its surface. PVC has a slight sheen, and stage lights or spotlights pick that out as a bright band. It also holds a fold, and the edges can kink. Fabric sits quietly on a wall, has a soft low-glare finish and looks closer to part of the room. At a gala, a conference or a gallery, that counts for a lot.
Why vinyl still has a place
Sports halls, school corridors, warehouses and shop floors are hard on a banner. PVC wipes clean, shrugs off scrapes and takes eyelets well. For a one-day promotion that gets cable-tied to a rail, the extra refinement of fabric is often wasted.
Point by point
| Fabric | PVC vinyl | |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance under lights | Soft, low glare | Slight sheen |
| Packing | Folds small, may need creases dropped out | Best rolled, bulkier |
| Cleaning | Ask us before washing | Wipes with a damp cloth |
| Fixing | Bars, pole pockets, Velcro | Eyelets, ties, pole pockets |
| Rough handling | Can snag | Tough |
| Fine detail | Weave softens it a little | Holds detail well |
| Reuse | Good if stored clean | Good if rolled with care |
Check three practical things
Fire rules. Many venues ask to see fire certification for anything hung in the building, whatever the material. Find out what your venue requires, then ask us about the specific fabric or PVC before you order.
Fixing points. Plenty of hotels and halls will not allow fixings into their walls. Ask the venue what you can tie to, then choose the finish to suit. Our guide to eyelets or pole pockets covers the difference.
Getting it there. A folded fabric banner will go in a suitcase. A heavy PVC roll may not fit comfortably in a taxi.
Think about the wording as well as the material. An undated banner in either one can come out again at the next event, which often matters more to a budget than the first price.
Prices at listed sizes
| Size | Eco-textile | PVC banner |
|---|---|---|
| A2 | £25 | £15 |
| A1 | £35 | £20 |
| A0 | £55 | £30 |
| 30in x 20in | £30 | £18 |
| 40in x 30in | £45 | £25 |
| 60in x 40in | £75 | £45 |
Guide prices from our price list. They exclude VAT and delivery and assume print-ready artwork.
For anything larger, see fabric banners and ask us for a quote.
Banners in very different rooms.
Your questions.
Is fabric always more expensive than PVC?
At the listed sizes, eco-textile costs more than PVC banner. Remember to compare the whole job, including any finishing and how often it will be reused.
Can a fabric banner have eyelets?
Eyelets are available on request. On fabric, the fixing needs more thought, so tell us how you plan to hang it and we will suggest what suits it.
Which material photographs better at events?
Fabric usually does, as it throws back less flash and stage light. For a press wall, see our separate guide on that topic.