Banner Design Tips

Custom Printed Banners Design Tips

People must consume your message in just 2 seconds. The fewest words, the right fonts, good contrast in colors, type size, and other things go into making an effective custom banner.

Street Banner Design Tip

Think about what you want a banner to do. Here’s a quick example of getting a bit more oomph out of a simple banner:

Need to create a banner for an entrance to your hospital complex? Your first idea is to put the word “Entrance” on a banner and stake it in the ground. Our Swirling Silk experts would suggest using the word “Enter” instead of “Entrance.”

It’s shorter and the font can be bigger. It’s also an instruction “enter” rather than a label “Entrance.” Even though you can print millions of colors on a banner including detailed photos, it’s still smart to use solid colors — particularly when a banner needs to express your brand image and colors.

The next component often gets overlooked: choosing the right material for your message.

Classic Printed Vinyl Banners

Classic vinyl is still popular and is the vinyl of choice for ultra-durable banners. They are also good in situations where a banner needs to be really strong and ready to work outdoors for a long time. But that kind of vinyl is just the beginning. Vinyl banners don’t always have to be thick and rigid.

PVC Vinyl Printed Banners

The lightweight flowing banners you see on flag poles or around stadium parking lots or along town streets during the holidays are also vinyl! They are in the form of a plastic polyvinyl chloride (PVC) fabric. Technically they are an ultra-light woven version of PVC that is perfect for digital printing on large specialty presses using UV-resistant inks. Theaters, Museums, and Sports teams use these lightweight banners for custom events in every city.

Not sure which fabric to choose for your next project? Trust the experienced Swirling Silks experts!

Vinyl and PVC Fabric Banner Features

  • Indoor, Outdoor, & Backlit Fabric Materials are available including Vinyl, Poly-knit, Polyethylene, Canvas & Mesh
  • How big do you want to go? Cover half a football field? Printed vinyl banners can be made 16 feet x up to 150 feet with no seams. And when you’re talking this big, even when you start seaming these together, the seams are invisible at a distance.
  • Finishing / Hardware for Banners: Banner edges, hanging hardware, pole pockets and more are available. Common finishing techniques include sewn hems, metal grommets, velcro attachments, perforations and wind-slits, rope ties, webbing, pole pockets, metal loops and D-rings, and Reinforced Corners.
  • Image Quality / Print Resolutions: Print with extraordinary resolution. 600 DPI high-resolution printing using UV-resistant inks and coatings create banners that rival the high-quality paper prints you see up close.
  • Special mounting of banners is available for truck sides, billboards, wall mounts, hanging from ceilings, and much more.

Single-Sided or Double-Sided Printing?

Banners can be one-sided or two-sided and are offered in full-color printing. Depending on your material, two-sided banners may require two materials that are bonded and sewn together. For this routine project, we recommend ultra-thin materials.

How to Choose Banner Materials and Thicknesses

Banners come in a variety of materials and are fabricated using the latest digital and automated finishing methods. They are also made in time-honored traditions of flag and award / memorial banner methods.

Machine-sewn appliques like those you see in stadiums and arenas for championships are also available. Canvas banners are becoming popular for lightweight large format wall graphics.

Swirling Silks offers many choices so you can complete your project in a timely manner. When it comes to custom printed banners thicknesses, we offer: 7oz., 8oz., 10oz., 11oz., 12oz., 13oz., 15oz., 18oz., & 22oz.

Request an expert banner fabricator quote today!

 

Sue McManus
Person

Sue’s love of color has always drawn her to vibrant flags and dynamic banners. She also has always loved the energy from community events, festivals, music happenings, etc. When Sue isn’t busy curling up with a good book, she enjoys tapping into her creativity to think beyond the outside of the box

After her first trade show, she knew a career with Swirling Silks would allow Sue to connect all of her passions. She finds joy in helping clients communicate their message, whatever it may be, with signs, lighting, vibrant colored graphics, etc. Even if she doesn’t help you create your next custom flag or custom banner, she hopes the blogs help you learn a few things she has experienced in her time with Swirling Silks. Contact the author to discuss your next custom advertising banner or flag.

Talk with a Friendly Custom Flag and Banner PRO!