What material is best for outdoor banners in the UK?
Choosing the ideal outdoor banner materials for durable and impactful outdoor advertising
Banners are a staple of local marketing campaigns, whether that’s to promote events, product launches, new business openings or general company advertising. However, using the right banner material can make a real difference.
With the unpredictable UK climate, you should consider the specific environment when selecting the material. Weatherproof banners take in several properties including being waterproof, allowing wind to pass through and not losing quality in direct sunlight.
The material you use will dictate the longevity and visual appearance of your banners.
The key considerations when choose outdoor banner materials
When choosing a banner material its important to understand the factors that will influence your choice. Your banners will likely be exposed to variable weather conditions – from warm sunshine to even snow. Your chosen material must be robust to withstand the elements whilst also maintaining its appearance.
Here are some important considerations:
Weather resistance: Your banner should be rainproof and resistant to UV rays. It’ll likely need to withstand constant winds.
Print quality: You want to ensure your messages stand out and looks vibrant from a distance.
Durability: You need your banner throughout your promotion period and potentially even then be reused at a later date.
Cost: The material should fit within your budget constraints without compromising too much on required quality.
Outdoor banner materials from Premier Print
PVC Banners
PVC or vinyl is by far the most popular material for outdoor banners in the UK. This is due to its excellent durability and weather resistance. It’s the ideal material for rain soaked UK streets or bright sunny days.
PVC (polyvinyl chloride) is also able withstand some wind and minor impacts without any visible damage. The material cam be supplied a various thicknesses with heavier options offering even higher levels of durability. It’s easy to clean and will require little maintenance.
The key downside to PVC banners is its impact on the environment, it cannot be disposed of in an eco-friendly way. It’s also relatively heavy so not so easy to hang up or transport.
Mesh PVC Banners
Where the banner will be exposed to constant or strong winds then mesh pvc banners bring extra benefits over standard pvc banners. The mesh material is made up of tiny holes that allow wind to pass through, which significantly reduces the risk of the banner flapping or tearing. Mesh banners are especially useful in area prone to high winds such as coastal areas or open fields.
The excellent wind resistance is ideal for the outdoors, and even though its made up of holes the print will still be vibrant enough. They’re commonly seen on building sites or at sports stadiums.
Mesh banners are less suitable for detailed graphics or important information as they can appear less clear due to mesh structure.
Canvas banners
Canvas banners can be made of both natural or synthetic fibres. They offer a rustic look and aren’t usually used outdoors other than in sheltered locations.
A canvas banner offers less durability than PVC alternatives and usually come with a higher cost to produce. However, they are ideal for more artistic displays or where the appearance is crucial and more important than durability.
They offer a reduced impact on the environment as they can usually be recycled. However, this brings with it additional manufacturing costs. If you are looking for a truly eco friendly banner option then you should look towards PVC free alternatives.
Banner printing from Premier Print
Whatever your banner printing requirements we are ready to help. With artwork checks, quick turnarounds and a wide range of options available. Contact us to discuss your ideas or simply order online.