To choose a banner for your business, match the material to the location (13 oz scrim vinyl for most indoor and outdoor uses, 8 oz mesh vinyl for windy spots or fences), pick a size that can be read from where customers will see it, specify grommets or pole pockets for hanging, and supply artwork at no less than 150 DPI at full size.
Key Takeaways
- Vinyl banners are made from PVC sheeting and typically weigh between 9 and 22 oz per square yard, according to Wikipedia’s vinyl banner entry.
- Mesh vinyl is perforated so wind can pass through, which makes it the usual choice for large outdoor banners and fences.
- Hemmed edges create a double layer that stops grommets from tearing out, which matters most outdoors.
- Printers commonly ask for artwork at 150 DPI or more at the final printed size.
- Outdoor and temporary signs are regulated by local sign codes, so check your city’s rules before hanging a banner on or near a public right of way.
Nowadays, companies have many choices of advertising methods. While some businesses prefer to advertise their products and services entirely online, many still combine traditional advertising methods with their digital marketing.
Banner advertising is one of the most popular choices of conventional advertising. One reason is that banners are a versatile and relatively inexpensive form of traditional advertising available.
If you are not sure if you want to use banner advertising for your business or not, read further. This article explains when banner advertising is worth it, and how to choose the right banner, even when you are primarily spending on digital marketing.
Top Three Benefits of Printing Banners for Your Business
They Are Cost-Effective
Every business is trying to get the best return on its investments. In advertising or marketing, you must consider only the methods that can bring in better results without hurting your pocket much. That is where banner marketing is appropriate.
Banners can suit businesses of many industries and sizes, although no format guarantees a return; results depend on placement, design and audience. A printed vinyl banner is usually cheaper than rigid or illuminated signage, but prices vary by size, material and printer, so compare current quotes.
If you want to print something right away for marketing or promotional purposes, you can always choose banners. Banners are easy to produce, so you can start promoting your business or event much sooner than other types of signage.
Online printers have also made ordering easier. One example is GotPrint, whose mobile app (listed on the Apple App Store under Printograph Inc. and also offered for Android, as of October 2026) lets customers browse products, design and order prints. The application is for those who are looking for a printing service for marketing and promotional purposes.
The app has a user-friendly design with product specifications, paper stocks and material, and pricing to compare all the elements and choose the best option that fits their printing needs. The GotPrint mobile app covers products ranging from business cards to large-format banners.
If you have already created a design and want to have it printed, that’s also possible through the GotPrint mobile app. You can upload your files on the go and print them directly on your phone or tablet.
The application has many tools that allow customers to create quick designs from scratch using elements from GotPrint’s designer and images from the user’s photo library. The customers can select their desired product, alter, and choose orientation and check every available size, all in the palm of their hands.
They Are Customizable
You get vast options of material, size, colors, and overall design when you create banners to promote your business. Online ordering tools, including the GotPrint mobile app, let you preview size, orientation and layout before you order, so the banner matches what you have in mind.
Banner advertising gives you the freedom to precisely advertise the way you want. When you have complete control of your advertising collateral, you don’t need to make sacrifices to promote your business.
They Last Longer
Outdoor banners are made to cope with sun, rain and wind, but how long one lasts depends on the material, the ink, the finishing and how it is hung. This means that you don’t need to keep your banners limited to indoors only. Banners are the perfect advertising method for outdoor as well.
They are easy to hang, and you can place them anywhere you want. Additionally, you can store them easily to use later without losing their quality. When you invest in banner advertising, you can get the best return on investment by reusing them.
The GotPrint mobile app has many templates of banners to choose from. To start designing and ordering, you need to do quick signup to the app. Once you have created your account, you can start using your GotPrint account.
The app can store details such as your billing address and payment card for faster checkout; as with any app, decide whether you are comfortable saving payment information on your device. If you haven’t downloaded the GotPrint mobile app yet, download it here and start designing.
What Banner Material Should You Choose?
The right banner material depends on where the banner will hang and how long it needs to last. Most business banners are vinyl, which Wikipedia describes as PVC sheeting ranging from about 9 oz per square yard (310 g/m2) to 22 oz per square yard (750 g/m2). Banners can be single- or double-sided, and large outdoor banners often use a mesh material for wind resistance.
| Material | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 13 oz scrim vinyl (gloss or matte) | General indoor and outdoor use: storefronts, events, trade shows | Gloss looks vivid; matte has a smooth surface that reduces glare under lights |
| 8 oz mesh vinyl | Fences, building wraps, windy outdoor locations | Perforated so wind passes through |
| Heavier vinyl (up to about 22 oz per square yard) | Long-term display, double-sided banners | Heavier; check that your hanging hardware can take the weight |
As an example of what printers offer, GotPrint’s banner order page listed 8 oz premium mesh vinyl and 13 oz premium scrim vinyl in gloss and matte finishes as of October 2026, all described as fire-resistant and printed with eco-solvent inks.
How Are Banners Printed?
Vinyl banners are produced in four main ways, according to Wikipedia: digital printing on large-format printers, vinyl lettering cut from self-adhesive vinyl by computer-driven cutters, screen printing one color at a time through stenciled screens, and hand painting. Digital printing handles full-color photos and one-off banners; screen printing applies each color in sequence and is suited to simple designs with few colors.
What Size Banner Do You Need?
Banner size should follow the space available and how far away people will read it. GotPrint, for instance, listed popular sizes from 1 x 2 feet to 6 x 12 feet and custom lengths up to at least 20 feet as of October 2026, and ships banners over 36 inches on the shortest side folded in a box.
Measure the actual wall, fence or frame before ordering, and leave a margin so the banner can be pulled taut. For trade shows and lobbies, a custom pull-up banner on a retractable stand is often more practical than a hanging banner.
How Should a Banner Be Finished and Hung?
Finishing decides how securely a banner hangs. The main options are:
- Hems: the edge is folded over and sealed, creating a double layer. Wikipedia notes that this keeps grommets from tearing out and gives a stronger grip, particularly outdoors.
- Grommets: metal rings for ropes, zip ties or bungee cords. GotPrint’s guideline places them about every 2 feet, for example 6 grommets on a banner 4 to 6 feet long, 8 on one 7 to 8 feet long and 10 on one 9 to 10 feet long.
- Pole pockets: sleeves along an edge for a pole, used for street-pole and indoor hanging banners.
Tie a banner at every grommet, keep it tight so it does not flap, and choose mesh rather than solid vinyl where strong wind is common.
How Do You Design a Banner That Works?
- Limit the message. Use the business name, one offer or purpose, and one way to respond, such as a phone number or web address.
- Use large, simple type and strong contrast. Dark text on a light background, or the reverse, stays readable from a distance.
- Match your branding. Use the same logo and colors as your shop front and website; this guide to designing a logo for a small business covers the basics.
- Check the resolution. Supply images of at least 150 DPI at the final printed size; GotPrint lists 150 DPI as its minimum.
- Keep text away from the edges. Hems and grommets take up space along the border.
- Proof before printing. Review the printer’s digital proof for spelling, phone numbers and color.
Do You Need Permission to Hang a Business Banner?
In many places, yes. Cities and towns regulate signs, including temporary banners, through local sign codes that can limit size, placement and how long a sign may stay up. In the United States, the Supreme Court’s 2015 decision in Reed v. Town of Gilbert struck down a town sign code that set different size and time limits for temporary signs depending on their category, ruling those content-based rules unconstitutional. Local governments still regulate signs, but they cannot treat signs differently based on what they say. Check with your city and your landlord before hanging a banner on a building, fence or public right of way.
Banners Within a Wider Marketing Plan
Banners work best alongside other channels. Many small businesses pair on-site signage with other print marketing, vehicle graphics such as van wraps, and online channels. For an overview of the options, see these ways to market a small business.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best material for an outdoor business banner?
For most outdoor locations, 13 oz scrim vinyl with hemmed edges and grommets is a common choice. In windy places or on fences, 8 oz mesh vinyl is better suited because its perforations let wind pass through.
What does 13 oz mean on a vinyl banner?
The ounce figure is the weight of the vinyl per square yard. Banner vinyl ranges from about 9 oz to 22 oz per square yard; heavier material is thicker and sturdier.
What resolution should banner artwork be?
Banner artwork should usually be at least 150 DPI at the final printed size. Vector files, such as logos saved as PDF or SVG, scale to any size without losing sharpness.
How far apart should grommets be on a banner?
Grommets are commonly placed about every 2 feet along the edges. On GotPrint’s guideline, a banner 4 to 6 feet long has 6 grommets and one 9 to 10 feet long has 10.
Can I hang a banner outside my shop without a permit?
It depends on your local sign code. Many cities limit the size, placement and duration of temporary banners, and some require a permit, so check with your city planning or permits office and your landlord first.
