In Soyang’s latest blog, technical applications manager, Gareth Newman looks at how to choose the right banner material for the job
A staple part of production for many print service providers and signage companies, banners offer an effective route to revenue across various markets. However, those familiar with this work will be well aware that it is not quite as simple as popping your ‘usual’ roll of banner media onto the printer and pressing ‘start’.
The reality is that not all banner materials are created equal. Whether you are producing short-term promotional graphics or long-term outdoor installations, your choice of media will impact everything from image quality and lifespan to tear resistance and cost per square metre.
So, how do you know which way to turn? There’s coated, laminated, scrim and ripstop to consider, but what is the best way of going about identifying the most effective solution for the job in hand? Here are a few pointers to assist you in your quest for the right material…
Laminated banners
Lightweight, budget-friendly and ideal for short run work, laminated banner materials are created by sandwiching polyester scrim between two pre-made PVC films, bonded with heat and pressure. This process is faster and more economical, but results in less bonding than coated alternatives, so keep this in mind when selecting your material.
Key benefits:
- Lightweight and easy to handle
- Most cost-effective option
- Sharp white print surface
Semi-coated banner
Semi-coated materials are mid-weight, highly cost-effective and offer more durability than laminated options. They use reduced PVC coverage on the scrim, either on one side or on thinner layers on both sides, thus balancing cost, weight and print surface without full saturation.
Key benefits:
- Lighter than fully knife-coated
- Improved handling and flexibility
- Ideal for medium-term graphics
- Stronger than laminated materials in edge resistance
Knife coated banners
Offering high durability and full coating penetration, knife-coated banner materials are built to last. They are produced by applying molten PVC directly onto a woven polyester scrim using a precision knife-over-roll technique. This creates a fully embedded structure, where PVC saturates and bonds deep into the fabric. In turn, this offers superior resistance to tearing, fraying and outdoor degradation.
Key benefits:
- High tensile strength
- Excellent dimensional stability
- Ideal for long-term use and high-tension installs
- Smooth print surface for sharp images
Ripstop banner
The fourth option is ripstop materials, which offer anti-tear capabilities, are lightweight and made to survive harsh installs, such as those applications subject to tough weather conditions. The materials are produced with reinforced grid structures. Often-visible crosshatch lines are woven into the base polyester, helping prevent small cuts from growing and offering enhanced durability with less weight.
Key benefits:
- High tear resistance in windy environments
- Lightweight yet strong
- Reduced risk of edge fray or failure
There may be no such thing as a one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to banners, but the good news is that no matter what sort of application you are creating, there will be a product to meet your exact requirements.
Whether you need media by the pallet or the roll, the Soyang Europe distribution centre in Altham in Lancashire stocks more than 1.5 million square metres of printable media, ready for next-day delivery across the UK and Ireland. Our specialist team can help you identify the right product for your machine, ink set and installation requirements, setting you up for banner success.