PVC banner weights explained
A banner described as 440gsm or 510gsm is telling you its weight per square metre. Here is what those numbers mean for tearing, handling and your fixings.
Rough weight bands.
Manufacturers use their own names, and the figures below are a loose guide, not an industry standard. They do give you a way to read a quote.
| Band | Typical use |
|---|---|
| Around 300 to 400gsm | Lighter jobs, indoor use, short promotions |
| Around 440 to 510gsm | The usual all-round grade for events, fences and shopfronts |
| 550gsm and above | Large, long-term or heavily handled banners |
| Blockout grades | Have an opaque layer, so they suit double-sided printing or bright backlight |
Our price list shows one PVC banner line, so tell us about your job and we will confirm the grade for your order.
Heavier does not always mean stronger
PVC banner has a woven scrim inside its coating, and that scrim does much of the work of resisting tears. Two banners of the same weight can differ, so the number is a clue and not a promise. Finishing matters just as much. A sensible grade with good hems and eyelets will outlast a heavy one that is badly tied.
Work out what you are hanging
The sum is simple: width times height gives square metres, then multiply by the gsm. A 3m x 1m banner is 3 square metres. At 510gsm that is 1,530g, or about 1.5kg.
| Banner size | 340gsm | 440gsm | 510gsm |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3m x 1m | 1.0kg | 1.3kg | 1.5kg |
| 6m x 1m | 2.0kg | 2.6kg | 3.1kg |
| 6m x 2m | 4.1kg | 5.3kg | 6.1kg |
Hems, eyelets and ropes add a bit more. A banner's own weight is rarely the main load, though. Outdoors, the wind pushes far harder than gravity, which is why the fixings and the structure matter more than an extra 70gsm. For exposed spots, read about mesh banner wind performance.
Tips for choosing a grade
- Heavier banners fold and roll into a bulkier package, which matters if you have to carry one.
- Rolling is kinder than folding, as creases can stay in a heavy grade.
- Sheer size, not just location, is a reason to step up a grade.
- If the banner will come out year after year, check that you have somewhere dry to keep the roll.
| Size | Price |
|---|---|
| A2 | £15 |
| A1 | £20 |
| A0 | £30 |
| 30in x 20in | £18 |
| 40in x 30in | £25 |
| 60in x 40in | £45 |
Guide prices from our price list. They exclude VAT and delivery and assume print-ready artwork.
Banners at work outdoors.
Your questions.
What weight should I choose for a fence banner?
The middle band suits many fence jobs, but the site matters. Tell us the length, the fence type and how exposed it is, and we will suggest a grade.
Does a heavier banner stop it flapping?
Not much. Tight, evenly spaced fixings reduce flapping far more than a change of weight does.
Why is my banner measured in gsm and not thickness?
It is the trade convention for coated banner material, and it allows quick comparisons. Thickness figures are also published by some makers, but gsm is what you will see most often.