Since time immemorial, the use of signs to display information and convey messages or indicate direction to a specific audience has been the norm. Historically, signs were handwritten or handmade from materials such as wood, glass and metal. In ancient Rome, it is believed, signs were made from terracotta. The need for large outdoor advertising saw the creation of banners, some of which are printed as large as billboards. There are numerous companies and businesses that reap fortunes from sign printing service. The most common materials used to make banners by these companies are canvas and vinyl (or PVC, standing for polyvinyl chloride).
Canvas is mainly used for indoor advertising and as such is common in wall murals, backdrops, art giclee prints and in photo galleries. For this reason, there are different types of canvas materials and different ink and dye mediums in canvas printing. Vinyl, the more popular of the two, is weatherproof and durable hence its use in outdoor events. Vinyl banners are made from about 10 to 30% polyvinyl chloride. This is a common plastic renowned for its many uses; in the construction industry, in clothing and textile and even in healthcare. The white solid is formed into sheets which then become the vinyl banner as we know it. Printers normally apply some gloss or matte to it and the result is lively and impressive color and finishing. The banners are flexible, in that they are easy to fold without damage, and they retain their shape without splitting or stretching. Sign printers prefer vinyl banners because vinyl is available in a wide variety of sizes and weights. This is to the extent that a banner can weigh as little as about 8 or 9 ounces to as heavy as 20 or more ounces per square yard. This means that they are able to produce banners that are as large as the size of a building. The banners can be printed on one side or on both sides, which is a plus to any printer.
Vinyl banners, which have a lifespan of about 4 years, come in many varieties. Much to the business advantage of printers, clients may prefer digitally printed, vinyl lettered, screen printed or painted banners. Digitally printed banners are printed with solvent based, eco-solvent or ultraviolet curable inkjet inks. These types of inks are long-lasting and fade-resistant, which means that the graphics on the banner will not wear out quickly. Vinyl letter banners have the graphics on them made from vinyl, which is cut from self adhesive vinyl components. Screen painted banners use the screen painting method to make signs. Screen printing, also known as serigraph printing, is the use of a stencil, a squeegee and ink blocking technique to print fabric, labels and even electronics. Painted banners, which are very rare, are hand painted.
You are likely to find banners, especially vinyl banners on billboards, in protests and marches, in sports, towed by airplanes and also in promotions by schools, hospitals and businesses. They are also common as table banners.
