A good vinyl banner can last for years. Most banners don’t die of old age. They die of wind, bad knots and being folded into a box. Here’s how to avoid all three.
Hanging with grommets
- Use every grommet. Each one spreads the load. A banner hung from two corners will tear at those corners in the first good gust.
- Bungee cords or zip ties? Ball bungees are the best choice outdoors: they flex in the wind instead of yanking the grommet. Zip ties work for short indoor use.
- Tension, not tight. Pull the banner flat enough to read, but leave a little give. A drum-tight banner in the wind is a sail.
- Hang it level. Start with the top corners, then the bottom corners, then the middle.
Pole pockets
Slide a pole or dowel through the pocket so the top edge hangs straight. Add a bottom pocket and a second pole to keep it from flapping. Great for stages, walls and pole stands.
Windy spots
Fences, highways and rooftops get a lot of wind. If your banner will be fighting the weather full-time, consider a mesh banner (the wind passes through it) and make sure it’s tied off at every grommet. Some people cut small half-moon “wind slits”; they help a little, but they also weaken the banner, so we don’t recommend them on a hemmed vinyl banner.
Cleaning
Wipe it down with a soft cloth and mild soapy water, then rinse. Don’t use solvents or a pressure washer, which can lift the ink at the edges.
Storing it
- Make sure it’s completely dry first.
- Roll it, don’t fold it. Folds leave creases that never come out. Roll it loosely with the printed side facing out, around a tube if you have one.
- Store it somewhere cool and dry, standing up or lying flat, away from anything that could crush it.
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