| Most of us know what a "banner" is -- not the kind | | | | The design and printing process is actually quite simple |
| used in web pages -- but the kind used as signs on the | | | | -- as long as you know something about digital printing. |
| sides of buildings, on fences, or across the stage at | | | | Banner designs can include photographs, artwork, |
| conferences. Roughly speaking, a banner is a large | | | | fancy backgrounds, company logos. In other words, |
| flexible sign or poster made of a durable material that | | | | any graphic image that can be captured in a computer |
| can be easily folded or rolled. We are used to seeing | | | | file can be printed on a vinyl banner. |
| banners strung across the road at fall fair time, or to | | | | All suppliers do not use the same process |
| promote a worthy cause. | | | | The best place to find a source for vinyl banners is on |
| In recent years banners or "banner signs" have | | | | the internet. A small number of companies specialize in |
| become much more versatile than even five or six | | | | prividing low cost, fast-turn-around vinyl banners. A |
| years ago. Banner signs are now used in all kinds of | | | | specialty vinyl banner company has mastered the |
| places where we used to see more permanent signs. | | | | details of banner printing and prints hundreds or even |
| Instead of a sign made of wood or plexiglass we now | | | | thousands of them every month. They can usually |
| often see a vinyl banner sign that serves the purpose | | | | offer the lowest price and fastest delivery too. |
| very adequately. | | | | But not all vinyl banner suppliers use the same process |
| These days, the most common material used to make | | | | or the same equipment. Some use silk screening, while |
| outdoor banners is smooth, good looking but durable | | | | others use low end ink jet printers. The best suppliers |
| vinyl. A banner printed on vinyl will stand up to the sun | | | | use higher end solvent digital printers. It is important to |
| and rain for a number of years, so vinyl banners are | | | | know the difference between these processes, and |
| often used in places where a quick, low cost | | | | often you cannot tell by looking at the descriptions |
| alternative is needed. | | | | provided to you on supplier websites. |
| Sometimes vinyl banners serve as a temporary | | | | Silk screening has adapted some digital capabilites, but |
| substitute for a more permanent sign which will come | | | | when it comes to the actual printing, it is still an older |
| later. Other times where the site is only temporary -- | | | | "low tech" process. It remains an important method of |
| such as a construction site, or a special event like a | | | | printing certain things that cannot be done "digitally" -- |
| family reunion -- a vinyl banner is the only sign that will | | | | for instance, for printing on unusual materials, or |
| ever be used. | | | | wherever special inks are required. But setup costs |
| The great advantage of banners is that they are | | | | are normally higher, turn around times longer, and |
| made of flexible and lightweight material. That means a | | | | printing smaller quantities is often not feasible. |
| vinyl banner can be rolled up or folded when it is time | | | | Lower end ink jet printers are sometimes used to print |
| to take it down or move it to a new location. They are | | | | on vinyl. But the bottom line is that these inks are |
| also relatively inexpensive when compared to the | | | | meant for indoor applications and short term outdoor |
| alternatives. | | | | use. They are more quickly faded by UV from the sun, |
| What has made vinyl banners so versatile is that they | | | | and are also susceptible to scratching and water |
| can now be printed digitally in beautiful full color. Printing | | | | damage. |
| a vinyl banner used to be a fairly crude and laborious | | | | When ordering a vinyl banner for outdoor use, or one |
| process, but the "digital revolution" changed all that. | | | | that you want to last a couple of years without fading, |
| Special printing machines can now print directly onto | | | | be sure to go with a true solvent ink process. |
| vinyl that can be used either indoors or outdoors. | | | | Especially when it does not cost any more. |
