What you can put on vinyl banners has changed greatly now that you have access to digital banner printing. Gone are the days of text only phrases. If you can envision it, it can be printed on a banner.

There are five elements that go into creating a great vinyl banner.

1.Material

2.Size

3.Letters

4.Contrasting color

5.Digital graphics

Part 1 — Banner material

There are 3 categories of banner material; lightweight, standard and heavyweight. Lightweight material is normally around 10 oz. in weight and are preferred for indoor use. This type of banner is great for parties and one-time events. A lightweight banner will not last outdoors for any length of time.

Any banner that is around 13 ounces is considered a standard weight banner. This banner is not only the standard for outdoor use, but is a terrific option for short term, multi year use banners. For example, if you have an annual winter clearance sale, this type of banner can be used for many seasons to come.

Heavyweight banner is 17 ounce and above. This is really only needed for extreme outdoor conditions and is generally not need for any other purpose. Be wary of a banner printer pushing this weight on you for a normal banner application.

Part 2 — Size

Larger is not always the best option when sizing a banner. You need to keep the size in scale with where you are installing it. Everyone has seen a really small banner mounted on the side of a large wall. That banner is not readable except if you are standing right in front of it. The opposite is just as bad. You want your banner to stand out from the background, not blend into it.

To maximize the readablity of your banner, you should have letters that are 1 inch in height for every 10 feet of viewing distance. You also need about the same amount of spacing for each line so that it is easily viewed. For example, if your banner will be 200 feet from the viewers, you must have letter that are no less than 20 inches high.

Part 3 — Letters

The character set you employ in your design is just about the most important choice you can make. You need something readable and one that stay consistent with your groups brand. Using all caps can add a striking design element, but be careful. All caps with a script font are a disaster no matter what you do. If adding all caps is important to you, be sure to look for one that is clean lined as it will work much better for you.

Part 4 — Contrast

You need to be aware of two color contrasts. The first is the contrast between your fonts and the background of the banner and the second is the contrast of the banner and its background.

green on white white on green red on white white on red

These combinations are just some of the many great color that you can use to create that contrast you are looking for. This is not a step that should be taken lightly as it is just about the most important design element.

The second, and often overlooked, area of concern is the contrast between the background color of your banner and that of the surface you will be mounting it. What is the point of having a banner that is “brick red” and then mount it against a red brick wall? The banner will completely disappear on the wall. The same goes for a “white” banner on a white wall. Again, no pop. The same contrasts that work for letters work for backgrounds as well.

Part 5 — Graphics

Digital graphics are where modern banner design earns its money. No longer do you have to limit yourself to lines of simple text, not when you can design them with full color digital images. Banner printers have so many resources open to them for images that there is no reason not to have a visually stunning banner. ***Important*** If you plan on using your own images, be sure they are taken with enough resolution to blow up to the size you want to use.

In conclusion

It is a piece of cake for a banner printing firm to create a fantastic looking banner for you. Now that you know what to ask for, you have just made the job much easier.

Looking for banners online. Check out your sign shop source. Be sure to check out our options for vinyl banners and our wide selection of banner displays.

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