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