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