Banners

Retail Banners

Retail Banners are sizable forms of signage that are used for publicizing purposes, such as an upcoming event, achievement or location. Durable and typically displayed over a short period of time – as opposed to permanently – banners tend to be rectangular-shaped and have sewn (hemmed) or sealed sides, making them more resistant to tearing from the effects of weather when posted in outdoor settings. Additionally, although they can be composed of various kinds of material, banners tend to be printed on reinforced vinyl with fiber threads (scrim) to prevent tearing in the wind. Sewing the sides of the banners prevents the fiber scrim edges from fraying from the edges and reinforces the grommet holes.

Whether it’s advertising a door-buster sales spectacle or a grand reopening, banners are ideally hung above highly traffic areas and should be both noticeable and visually appealing. Although they can include pictures, symbols or logos, banners usually convey messages through the use of words, but in a manner that can be digested and comprehended quickly.

Large Vinyl Banner Printing Uses

Here are a few example instances of when banners might be used:

• Store Aisle Markers: Stores with a low cost, often changing, or wholesale pricing model may elect to use banners to elude that overhead and costs are stripped as much as possible to benefit the customer.
• Entryways using banner stands: Banners can be often seen installed on banner stands inside of stores, expos, or restaurants. There are several varieties of banner stands available, but they allow the user to have a large sign wherever they wish, along with the flexibility of rolling it up or moving it.
• Job openings: When businesses are hiring, banners positioned on storefronts, fences, and buildings help to get the word out.
• Charity announcements: When a charitable event is taking place – whether for the first time or an annual affair – banners let people know.
• Real estate listings: Is a condo or an apartment ready to be shown? Banners can inform property seekers about open houses taking place.
• Sporting events: Be it a regular season game, tournament or championship, banners are ideal ways to communicate with fans about when sporting events are occurring. They can also be used for recognition purposes, such as when a team wins or to express appreciation for a fine performance.
• Fairs and expositions: During annual festivals, trade shows, fairs and expos, banners let visitors know where food trucks, booths and kiosks are located, thereby generating customer volume. Many companies use banners to display the company name and logo on the backdrop at trade shows.
• Election campaigns: Whether running for office or urging community members to get out and vote, campaign banners can help get people to the polls and improve name recognition, one of the factors that influences voter choice.
• One-time events: From 10-year business anniversaries to “everything must go” liquidation sales, banners can inform the general public of proceedings that won’t happen ever again, creating a sense of urgency.
• Billboards: Did you know that the largest signs around are usually made of banners, sewn together or stuck using VHB tape?

What are Retail Banners Made of?

Just as banners are used for a manifold of reasons, their composition is similarly diverse. However, their most common materials are:

• Scrim Vinyl: The most common substrate for outdoor banners, scrim vinyl is polyethylene-based and reinforced with polyester cording, which helps banners withstand the throes of weather without ripping when faced with wind, rain, sleet or snow.
• Scrim-less Vinyl: Built to last, scrim-less vinyl is composed of a highly tensile material that is smooth and lays flat, preventing lettering from looking wrinkled, misshapen or disheveled. However, with the fabric scrims being removed, it is advised that these banners be used indoors.
• Polypropylene: Otherwise known as polypropylene, this lightweight material is a form of plastic that’s highly resistant to wetness and moisture, making it ideal for custom banners positioned inside or outside. Polypropylene is quite durable and used in a variety of applications aside from actual signage, such as flooring and banner stands.
• Polyethylene: The most widely used and disseminated plastic in the world, polyethylene is a thermoplastic polymer, whose durability makes it ideal for banners mounted for longer than a few weeks.

Things to Consider When Using Larger Banner Printing

When ordering, there are a few considerations that are unique to banners over any other signage product.

• Grommets: Grommets are used to reinforce any needed holes to hang your banner. They are made of brass or other metal and installed using a special punch press.
• Pole Pockets: Since the edges are sewn, banners have the unique advantage of being installed around poles or rope which can then hang or dangle.
• Artwork Bleed: Banners require more print bleed than other signage types because the sign is folded over and sewn. If the banner is double sided, be sure to consider what the backside will look like when the graphic is folded over and sewn and what that matching point will look like. Some designers choose to mirror the image within the bleed.
• Sew Pattern: There are several sewing patterns that can add additional reinforcement such as single stitch, double stitch, reinforced webbing, etc.

As durable and heavy-duty as banners may be, their resilience must be paired with a few best practices for messages to truly resonate. For example, it’s important to get an idea of where viewers will be positioned when they see banners, be it walking on sidewalks or while driving. The lettering must be big enough for them to see and comprehend after a quick glance and from the appropriate distance.

Custom Retail Banners with Hopkins Printing

For over 60 years Hopkins has printed the messages, symbols and bulletins that get noticed. Regardless of your business or the occasion, Hopkins printing is your ideal partner for your banner job. Our competitive pricing and state-of-the-art digital printing capabilities are why customers come back to us again and again for all their printing needs. Find out what sets us apart by contacting Hopkins for your next banner project.

Constructed most commonly using: Scrim Vinyl, Scrim-less Vinyl, Polypropylene,
or Polyethylene.