Adhesives (for Lightweight Posters) 

The use of adhesives is an easy and renter-friendly way to hang posters since you don’t have to use the drill. However, this method only works best for posters that aren’t framed and lightweight artwork that weigh less than 5 lbs.  

Using adhesives is quite straightforward, too. Place your poster face-down on a clean, flat surface and apply the adhesive to all its corners, the center, and the midpoints between the corners.  

Below is the list of adhesives you can use to display your poster and other small, lightweight wall decorations.  

Double-Sided Removable Tape 

Double-sided removable tape offers a gentle adhesive that doesn’t leave a mark on the wall or damage the poster. Some tapes come with a thick foam base that acts as a cushion to protect the poster and the wall paint, while absorbing vibrations to keep everything in place.  

These removable tapes are sometimes called poster tapes that are often used to mount posters and lightweight decor on wood walls, painted walls, tiles, refrigerators, vinyl wallpaper, and glass.  

3M Command Strips 

3M Command Strips come in different shapes and sizes. They are sometimes included as a poster accessory because they are quick and easy to install, and don’t damage the wall with proper use. They also work well with textured and brick walls.  

If you are looking to reuse or reposition your poster in the future, use the removable Command Strips variant.  

It is also important to note that sometimes Command Strips can peel off the paint when you remove them from the wall. To avoid any damage, use a heat gun or a blow dryer to warm them up before scraping them off the surface. 

Mounting Putty 

Mounting putty often comes in small squares with a texture that’s almost similar to a dough. It’s excellent for displaying posters and other lightweight wall decor and works great on painted walls, wood, tiles, plastics, metals, and glasses.  

Scotch Magic Tape  

Magic Tape is virtually invisible once you apply it on posters and walls. In fact, you can even use it to fix tears on posters because it won’t show on the surface.  

In addition, you can write on Magic Tape with a marker, pen, or pencil.  

Heavy-Duty Mounting Tape  

Heavy-duty mounting tape is coated with adhesive on both sides and is ideal for mounting slightly heavier posters. Some brands such as Gorilla have tapes that are weatherproof and provide a long-lasting bond. 

Alternatives to Adhesives 

If you don’t want to put any adhesive product on the poster directly, consider the alternatives below: 

Slide Binders  

Slide these binders through the top edge of the posters to turn them into wall art. For extra stability, you can add another binder at the bottom of the posters to give them more weight.  

Next, hang your posters from rods, hooks, nails, or screws.  

Binder Clips 

Use these clips to hang posters, photos, postcards, and other smaller prints. However, be careful when using them to avoid creases, folds, and tears on the corners of the posters.  

Bib Clips 

You probably recognize these metal chains that your dentist uses to hold your towel in place. However, these bib clips also make a great way to display posters.  

Hang these bib clips from a single hook or nail to upgrade your boring wall.  

Pants Hangers 

Display your favorite posters using pants hangers that have a frame and clips you can snap right on and off easily. Although you can use them as-is, you may want to paint the wood to give them a more curated look.  

Tools and Hardware (for Large and Framed Posters) 

For framed posters that weigh more than 5 lbs., you need special tools and hardware to distribute the weight over a larger area, thereby preventing them from tilting and falling.  

Nails 

The ideal nails to hang posters or any wall decor will depend on the wall. If your wall is made of concrete, use a hardened steel nails or concrete nails, which penetrate through the hard surface without bending. 

Screws 

Screws are generally stronger than nails, so they are a great option for hanging heavier framed posters. Just make sure you use the appropriate screws for the material the wall is made of.  

Drywall Anchors 

Drywall anchors, also called wall anchors, are inserts that you combine with their matching screws to create a strong mount. They work by gripping the drywall, resulting in stronger and more stable mount.  

Hammer 

Not all hammers are created equal. Thus, do not use a lightweight hammer on tasks that require heavy blows. Make it a habit to inspect your tools before starting any DIY project to ensure that all parts are secure. 

Hammer Drill 

When using a hammer drill, apply a steady and even pressure rather than use excessive force. Don’t forget to check for cables, pipes, conduits in or behind walls before drilling. 

Safety Equipment  

Use safety equipment and gears, such as goggles, earplugs, and dust mask when using hammer and power tools. Goggles are particularly important to avoid debris from hitting you in the face or eye.

Poster Care and Maintenance

If you ever wonder how can you maintain posters and keep them in pristine condition for many years to come, follow these tips: 

For posters with creases and folds, you can iron the wrinkled surface using the lowest heat setting. To avoid damaging the graphics, position your poster face down and cover its back with a cotton sheet (e.g., bath towel).  

• Other ways to remove wrinkles on a poster include using a bit of steam, adding weight, or spraying a special solution.  
• Dust posters regularly using a soft, dry paint brush or a feather duster. Don’t use any moisture or cleaning products on paper or cardstock posters to avoid the risk of damage.  
• Store or hang posters away from direct sunlight, as constant sun exposure can cause the graphics to fade. Finally, keep posters away from humidity, moisture, and extreme temperatures by storing them in dry, well-ventilated areas.

With these different methods to hang posters, you can now transform your plain wall into your home’s centerpiece. 

Related Articles

Standard Poster Sizes – Signage 101

What Are The Best Poster Design Programs That Creative Designers Use?

How to Get Wrinkles Out of a Poster?

What are the Best Practices in Poster Design?

The Best Way to Hang Posters — Signage 101

Posters are one of the most popular and versatile forms of marketing and communication. When you think of posters, you often think of the standard sizes for room decorations and the sizes they usually come in. Most posters have standard sizes, from the letter size (8” x 11″), small (11” x 17″), medium (18” x 24″), and large (24” x 36″). It’s common for organizations and business owners to print their posters in these standard sizes for consistency, cost-efficiency, and visual appeal. 

Still, the perfect size for a poster can vary depending on the location and its purpose. Understanding the standard sizes for different locations can help you design and print posters that capture attention and communicate your message. 

This article will explore the typical poster sizes for various locations and offer some design tips you can use. 

Cinemas and Theaters 

Movie theaters have long relied on posters to advertise upcoming films and promote the ones currently showing. These are usually the first seen when entering a theater, and their eye-catching appeal is always visible from a distance, especially in crowded areas like lobbies or entranceways. For this, you’ll need larger posters ranging from 27” x 40″ to 40” x 60″. 

• Standard Sizes: 27 x 40″ (official movie posters), 40 x 60″ (bus stop size) 

• Reason for Size: The poster dimensions offer a balanced canvas for images and text, ensuring the movie’s key details are displayed clearly. 

• • 27” x 40″ posters are the standard for official movie posters installed on the “Now Showing” and “Next Attraction” Booths. 

• • 40” x 60″ posters are used to promote movies outside the cinema, such as bus stops, fences, or building exteriors. 

• Design Tip: Use vibrant colors, high-resolution images, and minimal text to maintain the visual impact. The poster design should also accurately reflect the theme and story of the movie to prevent misinformation and false advertising. 

Stores, Shops, and Restaurants 

Retail spaces, small businesses, and dining establishments often use posters to announce promotions, new products, or events. The posters’ sizes usually depend on the store layout and the level of promotion they want for their sales and campaigns. As such, they usually range from 18 x 24″ to 24 x 36″, with the 22 x 34″ size hitting the sweet spot. 

• Standard Sizes: 18 x 24″ (medium), 22 x 34″ (decorative), 24 x 36″ (large) 

• Reason for Size: These poster sizes are optimum for interior decor, specifically for small shops and restaurants. Promotional poster sizes also often reflect their design.  

• • You could print numerous, smaller, simpler posters that you can plaster all around the area. 

• • Another option is to have one large advertisement design that attracts people as the center of attention. 

• Design Tip: Make the message or campaign the focus of your design — use bold fonts and eye-catching colors to direct customers’ attention. 

Public Events and Trade Shows 

Trade shows and public events usually require larger posters that can draw attention from a distance. At the same time, smaller posters can give attendees a closer look at the business or event they are interested in. These posters are often used to advertise booths, symposiums, or schedules. 

• Standard Sizes: 24” x 36″ (large posters) and 18” x 24″ (medium posters) 

• Reason for Size: Variety is key to attracting many people to your trade show booth or symposium. These posters can be plastered anywhere within the area. You can also plan which poster sizes are optimal for a specific location. 

• • A large poster ensures your message can stand out among other booths and displays in a crowded space like a trade show. Display this prominently near your booth or on the stage if you are presenting. 

• • Medium-sized posters are great in large quantities and can be posted on all available and allowed areas within a trade show. 

• Design Tip: Keep the design simple and include essential details like your company name, booth number, and key products or services. You can also go interactive and include a QR code so they can access your website immediately. 

Outdoor Posters 

Posters used outdoors must be large enough to be seen by passersby, whether on foot or in vehicles. These posters must also withstand various weather conditions and remain visually striking. You can use the sizeable standard poster sizes or billboard-sized posters. Of course, the bus stop poster sizes are optimal for most outdoor locations. 

Standard Sizes: 24” x 36″ (large posters), 27” x 40″ (billboard-sized posters), 40” x 60″ (bus stop posters)  

• Reason for Size: The larger dimensions are critical for readability from a distance, especially in busy outdoor settings. Some outdoor spaces may also require permits and approval before posting your posters, so going for larger sizes in small printing quantities is your safest option. 

• • 24” x 36″ large posters are excellent for promoting outside your shop or restaurant. 

• • If you want to showcase your sale or promotion in different areas, the 27” x 40″ billboard size can get you the proper visibility and brand awareness. 

• • Once all the permits are approved, you can start posting the larger 40” x 60″ posters in public areas such as bus stops, fences, and park walls. 

• Design Tip: Use bold typography and high-contrast colors to ensure readability and keep the message concise. You may also want to design posters that can be approved more quickly and are appropriate for outdoor settings. 

Printing posters in appropriate sizes is crucial for maintaining uniformity and maximizing the visibility of your marketing efforts. The right poster size helps your message stand out and be easily understood, whether indoors or outdoors.  

That said, just because specific sizes have become “standard” doesn’t mean these are the only sizes you can use. Get creative and execute your posters with the right images and sizes that fit your vision, then post them in places that will attract the most attention. 

When you’re ready to create your posters, Signs.com offers everything you need to bring your vision to life, from standard sizes to custom designs. 

Related Articles:

How to Get Wrinkles Out of a Poster?

What Are The Best Poster Design Programs That Creative Designers Use?

The Best Way to Hang Posters — Signage 101

Standard Poster Sizes – Signage 101

When Political Signs Work: The Advantages of Using Political Campaign Signs 

• They increase a candidate’s name recognition. 
  In politics, recognition is the name of the game. As prominent political scientist David Mayhew once said, “To be perceived at all is to be perceived favorably.” One of the main tasks for any political candidate is to ensure that their name becomes familiar to the prospective voters. An effective way to increase political visibility is to display many campaign signs, and there is scientific evidence supporting this strategy.
  
  In the “Ben Griffin” experiment, Vanderbilt University professor Cindy Kam planted campaign signs for fictitious candidate Ben Griffin in high traffic areas around a school. A few days later, they conducted a survey via the school’s Parent Teacher Association asking participants to list their preferred council candidates — the fictitious Ben Griffin was listed along with real candidates and another made-up person. All to say, the consistent exposure to campaign signs established name recognition among the participants and influenced them to vote for the person whose name appeared on the said sign.
  
  
• They encourage people to participate.  
  Another way that political signs can improve a candidate’s electoral prospects is by reminding supporters to vote. Although signs are unlikely to change a voter’s mind about a particular candidate, they may help remind people who already like the politician to vote on Election Day if used strategically. 
  
  Political scientist Costa Panagopoulos tested whether campaign signs would actually increase voter turnout by studying the 2005 municipal elections in New York City. After identifying 14 election districts whose historical voter turnout was nearly identical, Panagopoulos strategically stationed sign-toting volunteers at busy intersections in seven randomly selected districts with large white signs that stated “Vote Tomorrow” in blue letters.  
  
  In the actual election, the voter turnout in the seven districts where volunteers held signs (the “treatment” group) was 3.6% higher than the turnout in the districts where signs were not displayed (the “control” group). While this difference may seem trivial, a 3% increase in the vote percentage can have a huge impact on a close election. Moreover, this increase in turnout seems to be comparable to the results of other “get out the vote” techniques such as door-to-door contacting, phone calls, and direct mail, which often require significantly more resources (time, money, and manpower) than does signage. 
  
  As the research summarized above illustrates, campaign signage can have a meaningful effect on voter turnout. Candidates who use signs strategically may be able to target the people who are inclined to vote for them, perhaps by placing signs in areas where supporters are highly concentrated. 
  
  
• They influence social cues and people’s opinions. 
  Classic studies in political science (see, for example, Voting by Berelson, Lazarsfeld, and McPhee, 1954) have found that a person’s family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers can have a strong impact on who they vote for. Political signage may help reinforce these powerful social forces by serving as voting cues. In other words, signs can spread political information between two people even if a political discussion never takes place. 
  
  Take this for example. Imagine that two neighbors, Tim and Wilson, are good friends who talk about most everything — except politics. When Wilson places a political sign in his yard for Jill Taylor, a local school board candidate, Tim notices the sign on his way to and from work but doesn’t think much about it. When the election arrives, Tim goes to the polls to vote for a friend running for city council. After voting for his friend, Tim comes to the portion of the ballot that asks about the school board vote. Although he is not familiar with any of the candidates, Tim remembers that his friend Wilson supports Jill Taylor. While his personal knowledge is limited, Tim knows that he trusts Wilson, so he votes for Jill. 
  
  Just as in this scenario, voters use “information shortcuts” to make ballot decisions all the time. While campaign signs may not inspire instant confidence in a candidate per se, they can help uninformed voters connect a candidate’s name to friends or family members that they trust. In this way, candidates can use signage to tap personal networks that are powerful sources of vote motivation. 
  
  
• They mobilize participation among candidates and supporters.
  Campaign signs can also provide supporters with a way to express themselves politically, allowing them to voice their opinions and feel connected to a candidate. Political scientists Todd Makse and Anand Sokhey argue that “Yard signs constitute an important, symbolic aspect of what we might call an ordinary individual’s “total campaign experience.” In other words, posting signs can be a form of political participation in and of itself.
  
  Signs can also provide campaign volunteers with a way to openly show their friends and neighbors the candidate that they support. In a way, signs can function as a symbol of the volunteer’s hours of hard work for the campaign. Moreover, sign drives give campaign faithful the opportunity to have tangible evidence of their dedication to the cause; whenever they see a sign-lined street, they will feel they have accomplished something important. Candidates who want their supporters to feel they are truly involved in the campaign and are able to fully express their political voices should incorporate political signs into their overall election strategy. As Maske and Sokhey observe, “Campaign professionals may debate the power of yard signs as a mobilization tool, but . . . these signs are anything but trivial to the individuals who display them.”
  
  
• They strengthen a candidate’s local visibility.
  Ironically, campaign signs tend to be used most when they are least effective — presidential elections. Since presidential races are extremely visible to the public eye, nearly everyone who is going to vote has relatively defined opinions about the candidates involved. Because of this, campaign signs are unlikely to have a major impact. As behavioral psychologist Mark Sibicky notes in a recent interview, “Signs do little to change anyone’s mind that is already made up.” At the same time, signs can be important for elections where candidates are relatively unknown. Candidates for municipal offices such as school board, sheriff, city council, mayor, and judgeships are often relatively unknown, so the added name recognition generated by political signage is invaluable.
  
  Additionally, because municipal offices in many localities omit partisan labels from the ballot, voters who are unable to decide based solely on the political party may turn to the candidates whose names they are most familiar with. Politicians running for lesser-known state offices such as state auditor, treasurer, and even attorney general can also benefit from the increased notoriety that signs provide.
  
  
• They’re affordable and easy to set up.
  The technology to design and produce campaign signs has grown directly proportional to the demands of election season. As digital printing gets better every day, it’s become easier and faster to create plenty of signs in a short amount of time. The variety of signs has expanded too — from the classic yard sign that you can easily stick to the ground, printing companies now offer an assortment of banners (vinyl, fabric, and mesh), car decals, stickers, magnets, and foam board signs — and they come with different easy setup options. These sign types have also become relatively easy to create, with printers offering online design tools and free sign templates customers can use, making it more accessible to supporters regardless of design skill level. Above all, campaign signs are an affordable means of showing support whether it’s a candidate you’re campaigning for or you’re a part of an organization that pushes the advocacy of voting.

When Political Signs Don’t Work: The Limitations of Political Campaign Signs

• It can be difficult to measure its success.
  Putting up signs in your lawn is one thing, but unless you go to the polling precinct and actually vote, it can be hard to tell whether the political sign is successful at bringing the votes in. Indeed, some studies show that signs may simply be an indicator of existing support rather than a tool for converting voters from one candidate to another. Another possibility is that voters are simply more expressive than other people. One study suggests that whether a person displays a sign for the local university football team predicts voting just as well as whether they display a political sign.
  
  
• Quantity doesn’t always mean quality.
  It’s not uncommon for well-funded political campaigns to deploy plenty of signages throughout the election period. However, campaign signs are unlikely to be the main factor determining how a person will vote. In other words, deep-pocketed candidates who pepper their districts with signs will not necessarily win an election unless their campaign message aligns with constituent priorities. Things like political party, ideology, education, family influence, and personal contact with candidates are much more likely to affect vote choice.

Are campaign signs a sure-fire way to convert a disinterested or opposing citizen into a legitimate supporter? Probably not. Even though signs may not be the most important factor influencing individual voting decisions, they can still have a powerful effect on a candidate’s political fate. In close races (especially those that are not salient to the voting public), signs can have a profound impact on election outcomes.

Do Political Signs Work? The Pros and Cons of Running a Political Sign Campaign

How Do You Smooth Out Vinyl Banners?

There are two ways to get wrinkles out of vinyl banners: lay them out and use natural heat from the sun or use artificial heat.

Before getting started, make sure that the banners are clean. Any dirt or grime can make the process of removing wrinkles messier and harder. It’s best to use a soft cloth with warm water to clean your vinyl banner, then dry it quickly with a dry cloth before beginning.

Method 1: Use Natural Heat From the Sun

Using natural heat is the best method to remove wrinkles from vinyl banners. This option works well when it’s sunny and warm outside. The heat from the sun will soften the vinyl material and naturally smooth out wrinkles in your banner. This may take a few hours or even up to a day or two, depending on the size of the banner, the amount of sunlight, and the severity of the wrinkles.

To speed up the process, use gravity and tension to stretch out the vinyl. If the banner comes with grommets, you can hang the vinyl banner against a wall, facing the sun, and add weight like partially filled water bottles to flatten creases. When laying the banner flat, place weights in the corners to prevent it from rolling up. Using grommets, bungee cords, zip ties, or rope to display the banner tautly will also help remove wrinkles and creases.

Method 2: Use Artificial Heat

Use a heat gun, handheld steamer, or a hairdryer to smoothen any wrinkles. In the absence of natural heat, artificial heat can be used to help remove wrinkles from your vinyl banners. Remember to exercise caution when using artificial heat as too much of it can permanently damage or completely ruin your vinyl banner.

Follow these tips when using artificial heat to remove wrinkles from your vinyl banners

1. Avoid direct contact with the vinyl banner. Placing the heat source too close to the banner can damage the vinyl material so point your heating device a few inches away from the banner   
2. Always operate on a lower heat setting. You can also try shifting between the lowest heat setting to medium heat at most depending on the tool you’re using. 
   
   
3. Before heating the entire banner, test the device in one corner of your vinyl banner to ensure that the it’s warm enough to straighten a wrinkle without melting the material. You can also test it on a piece of fabric to gauge whether the heat is too high or just enough.
   
   
4. Avoid directing artificial heat in one area for too long. Even a low heat setting held in one place for too long can cause damage to your vinyl banner. 
   
   
5. Only heat the non-printed side while trying to remove wrinkles or creases. 
   
   
6. When working with a banner printed on both sides, place a soft cloth or piece of fabric between the heat source and the vinyl banner to avoid causing permanent damage. Place the banner printed side down on a clean flat surface, such as the table or the floor. Use a heat gun, handheld steamer, or hairdryer on low heat to slowly pass over wrinkled areas and flatten the creases on the banner. If needed, use your hand to help flatten out the wrinkles.

A Word on Irons

Avoid using an iron to remove wrinkles from vinyl banners. Although some people claim that using an iron with improvised technique meant to prevent damage, it is not a safe option, it is not a safe method of smoothing your banner. The weight of most irons and the potential for direct contact can cause damage to the material. 

How to Store Banners Properly and Prevent Them From Wrinkling

Vinyl banners are durable and have a long lifespan, but they need to be stored properly to minimize wrinkles and creases. To ensure the longevity of your banner, follow these tips: 

1. Store the banner in a cool and dark area away from direct sunlight or any heat source to prevent fading and damage.
   
   
2. Roll the banner instead of folding it to prevent creases from forming. Use a cardboard or plastic tube core for rolling and avoid placing heavy objects on top of it. Even a rolled banner with a weight on top of it can result in creases or fold lines. 
   
   
3. Keep the banner in its original packaging. Some banners come with a storage bag, while others are packed in a box. If possible, store your banner in its original container to protect it and keep it clean. 
   
   
4. If you intend to store your banner for a long time, unroll it occasionally to avoid wrinkles and prolong its lifespan. 

Vinyl banners are effective promotional tools that help bring more customers to your business, while a wrinkled banner can drive away potential customers. Keep banners in excellent condition by storing them properly and using the right techniques to remove its wrinkles. With that being said, remember that all vinyl banners have a lifespan, and after years of use, it may be time to replace your banner if the wrinkles and creases don’t come out. 

How To Remove Wrinkles From Vinyl Banners

Before we get too carried away, let’s define some of the head terms surrounding images, photos and resolution we will be frequently referring to:

• Image Resolution – Also referred to as “resolution” or “print resolution”, image resolution is the value that determines the quality of an image when it is printed onto any given material (photo paper, vinyl, etc.). Generally speaking, resolution is measured by the number of pixels (or dots of ink) that run along a single inch of a printed image. The more pixels contained within an inch of printed material, the higher the resolution i.e., or the higher the quality of the photo.
• Image Dimensions – Also referred to as “pixel dimensions”, image dimensions designate the number of pixels that comprise the width and height of any given image. For example, if I were to take a digital image that is 1,200 pixels wide and 1,000 pixels high, then the dimensions for that image would be 1,200 x 1,000 pixels. The dimensions of an image are used as an indicator of an image’s size. The higher the dimensions, the larger the image. The dimensions of an image are critical in determining how that image will look when displayed on a computer screen, monitor, or printed material.
• Pixel – Pixel stands for “picture element” and is the smallest element or building block, used in the creation of an image. Every digital image is comprised of a grid of tens, hundreds, or thousands of square pixels, each containing a single hue/color. When a group of pixels are placed together and viewed at the right distance, they give the appearance of a smooth, continuous image. However, if you were to look close enough at any image you would be able to identify each individual pixel making up that image. One thing to note is that each pixel actually gets its color from three subpixels (which are red, green, and blue in color) that blend together in a unique way to produce the needed color for that pixel.
• PPI – PPI stands for “pixels per inch” and is used to measure the digital resolution of an image. Each digital image is comprised of pixels, and PPI tells you how many pixels of that digital image will be contained along a single inch of material when that image is printed.
• DPI – DPI stands for “dots per inch” and is used to measure the printed resolution of an image. When an image is printed, the printer places a large number of small dots of ink onto the material you are printing on, which produces the final printed image. DPI determines how many dots of ink are placed along each inch of the width and height of the printed image.
• Megapixel (MP) – One megapixel equates to one million pixels (1,048,576 pixels to be exact) and is a unit of measurement for the pixel count of a digital image. Digital cameras are assigned a megapixel count, which tells you how many pixels are contained within the image that is captured by the camera. For example, if I take a photograph using a 10mp (short for megapixel) camera, then that image will be composed of up to 10 million pixels. To determine the megapixel amount of any given image, take the image’s width in pixels and multiply it by the image’s height in pixels. For example, if I have an image that is 4,032 x 2,268 pixels then it would be 9.1 megapixels (4,032 x 2,268 = 9,144,576 pixels).

What is the difference between PPI and DPI? Which should I use?

Both PPI (pixels per inch) and DPI (dots per inch) refer to the resolution of an image. Due to this fact, these terms are frequently used interchangeably, even though they technically are not the same thing. 

PPI refers to the digital resolution of an image, counting the number of pixels that will be contained along one inch of printed material. PPI is used when you are figuring out the resolution of your image based off of the number of pixels the image contains compared against the actual size of your printed image. This means when you are looking at the pixel dimensions of your image on your computer or phone you will need to take the number of pixels in your image (width and height) and divide it by the number of inches you are wanting for your photo print (width and height). This will tell you what the resolution of your image will be based on the number of pixels per inch.

DPI refers to the printed resolution of an image, counting the number of dots of ink that will be contained along one inch of printed material. This measurement is the more literal of the two, as printers do not print actual pixels, but rather dots of ink that give the appearance of pixels when grouped together. Therefore, DPI is a specification that is tied to the printer you are using. There are some printers that are only capable of printing up to 150 dpi whereas others can print to over 1,800dpi. The more dots of ink that are contained along an inch of printed material, the higher the quality the photo print will be.

So, which should you use when determining your resolution? Honestly, this comes down to your personal preference. The reason we say this is that whether someone provides a print shop with an image that they have designated as either 300 ppi or 300 dpi, the image will be put through the same printing process and converted to the correct resolution based off of the printer being used. The relatively small (and frankly, quite confusing) distinction between the two is why you will see some photo editing software use PPI whereas others will use DPI.

Generally speaking, all you need to know moving forward is that PPI and DPI are indeed different, but they bleed over one another in so many applications that it has become very common to use them synonymously (we recommend leaving it to the print shop to worry about making the distinction).

To avoid confusion with jumping back and forth between the two, from here on forward we will use PPI when referring to resolution. 

How do I determine the resolution of my image?

You have an image that you want to turn into an outstanding photograph, banner, or sign. Great! But how do you determine how good that image is going to look when printed? There are two things you will need to note when trying to determine the printed resolution of your image:

1. The pixel dimensions of your image

2. The physical size of the photo or sign you want to print

As mentioned above, the first step is to determine the pixel dimensions of your image. How exactly do you do this? There are several ways you can find out the pixel dimensions of an image:

On your Android device – Finding the pixel dimensions for an image on your android will vary based on the model of phone you are using, but with most androids, all you need to do is select an image in your gallery and view the details of that image (usually contained within some kind of menu icon). Here is how you would find it on a Samsung Galaxy S24:

1. Go to your image gallery.

2. Select the photo you want.

3. Click the … found on the top right.

4. Scroll to bottom of page to find image size (labeled as the resolution).

On your iPhone – If you are using the Photos app, here’s a quick guide on how to view an image’s resolution.

1. Open the Photos app and select the image you want to print.

2. Swipe the photo upward to see the specifications of the file.

3. You can also click the letter i found at the bottom of the screen to see the image’s ppi.

On your PC – To find the dimensions of an image you have stored on a PC (running Windows 10 or later), follow these steps:

1. Open the File Explorer and find your image.

2. Right-click on the image and click on Properties.

3. Click on the Details tab in the window that pops up.

4. You can now see the dimensions of your image.

On your Mac – To find the dimensions of an image you have stored on a Mac (running macOS Sonoma), follow these steps:

1. Open the Finder application and locate your image.

2. Double tap the trackpad and click on Get Info.

3. In the window that pops up, click on More Info.

4. You can now locate your image’s dimensions.

Through Adobe Photoshop – Follow these steps to find the dimensions of your image using Adobe Photoshop 2024:

1. Open your image in Photoshop.

2. Go to Image > Image Size.

3. You can now see the dimensions of your image. In this window you can also play around with the Width and Height to figure out what resolution your image will be at whichever size you input.

Through Adobe Illustrator – Follow these steps to find the dimensions of your image using Adobe Illustrator 2024:

1. Open your image in Illustrator.

2. Select the image.

3. Navigate to the Properties tab on the right-hand side of the window.

4. You can now see the dimensions of your image. You can change the pixel dimensions of your image here, but if you increase the size past the original file size you will end up with a blurry image.

Now that you have found out the pixel dimensions of the image you want to use it is time to move on to Step 2. This step is easy because it is entirely up to you. All you need to do is determine how big you want your printed photo to actually be. Are you just looking for a cute little 4” x 6” photograph to put in a scrapbook, or do you need a banner that is 12’ wide and 6’ tall? Whichever size you need, your image has to be large enough for you to create a crisp print.

Once you identify the pixel dimensions of your image and the physical size of your print, you are ready to get a clear sense of how good your image is going to look when printed. To do so, simply use the following formula:

Image width or height (pixels) / Print width or height (inches) = Print Resolution (ppi)

As an example, let’s say I have an image I took on my smartphone that is 2,400 pixels wide and 3,000 pixels tall (2,400 px x 3,000 px) and I want to use it to print an 8” x 10” photograph. Let’s take this and apply it to our formula:

Image Width (2,400 pixels) / Print Width (8 inches) = 300 pixels per inch (ppi)

Image Height (3,000 pixels) / Print Height (10 inches) = 300 pixels per inch (ppi)

This equation tells us that if I were to print a 8” x 10” image, the resolution would be 300ppi (translation: there would be 300 pixels along each inch of printed material). Check out the following table to see a few more examples of image sizes and their resolution at certain print sizes:

Now back the question we are trying to answer — what is the best resolution? Is it 300, 150, 75 ppi or something else? The truth is, it’s a case to case basis. Let’s continue forward to find out.

What is the Best Resolution for Banner Printing?

One of the most “recommended”, “best”, or “standard” resolution you will read or hear about is 300 ppi. The main reason for this is that the standard human eye is rarely unable to discern greater detail in images printed any higher than 300 ppi, thus making it the general cut-off line for resolution.

While this is usually a great resolution to print at, it is incorrect to immediately jump to the conclusion that this should be used for all print jobs. In some circumstances, this may be a much higher resolution than it needs to be and in others, it may be lower. Ultimately, the best resolution for printing comes down to two main factors – expected viewing distance and what it is you are printing.

The expected viewing distance is the most important factor in determining what resolution you should print in. When getting ready to print a banner or signage, ask yourself generally how close will people be when viewing it. The answer to this question makes all the difference. A general rule of thumb to follow is the closer the expected viewing distance, the higher the resolution the image needs to have.

For example, say you want to print some business cards. When people look at your business cards, they will be holding it in their hand and will view it at about a foot or two away from their eyes. This tells you that you will need to go with a bit of a higher resolution. On the flip side, if you are printing a billboard designed to be viewed by passing cars on the highway, your expected viewing distance is going to be much further (100 feet – 300 feet), allowing you to get away with a much lower resolution. Here is a chart to give you some recommended resolutions to print at based on viewing distance:

Here’s another way of looking at it:

Why would you want to use a lower resolution just because your image is going to be viewed further away? Generally speaking, the further away something is viewed, the harder it is to distinguish between different resolutions. Take, for example, the following two images. The image on the left was printed at 300 ppi and the image on the right printed at 72 ppi and they are both being viewed approximately 20 feet away.

Pretty hard to tell the difference, right? But wait! Let’s get a closer look (now only 3 feet away) to see if we can start to notice any changes.

Now it is much easier to spot the difference. If you were planning on displaying this photo in a setting where people would be viewing it from 20 feet away, then you would be fine going with the lower resolution (72 ppi). However, if you were in a setting where people will be viewing it up close then you would want to go with the higher (300 ppi). If you are unsure how close people will be getting to your print, then print your photo at the highest resolution your image will permit.

What does this mean image resolution for banner printing? The pixel size of a printable banner depends on the desired physical size of the banner and the printing resolution (PPI). For example, a banner meant to be printed at 8 feet wide (96 inches) by 3 feet tall (36 inches) at a resolution of 100 ppi would require an image with pixel dimensions of 9600 px x 3600 px. It’s important to consult with your printer for their specific requirements, as resolutions can vary based on the viewing distance and banner material.

The resolution for banner image sizes typically ranges from 100 ppi to 150 ppi for large banners viewed from a distance. For closer viewing distances, such as at trade shows or presentations, a higher resolution of up to 300 ppi may be recommended. The key is to balance file size with the expected viewing distance and print quality requirements.

Pull-up banners, often used in conferences, tradeshows, and indoor events, require a resolution that ensures clarity at close viewing distances. A minimum of 150 ppi is recommended but aiming for 200 ppi to 300 ppi can give you an even sharper banner resolution image. As pull-up banners are typically viewed from closer distances than larger outdoor banners, the higher resolution will ensure your message is conveyed with crisp, clear visuals.

There are several reasons why you wouldn’t want to try and always print at a resolution such as 300 ppi regardless of the viewing distance, including the following:

• Nearly Impossible to Achieve – Let’s say you want to print a banner that is 96” (8’) x 64” (5’ x 4”) tall. If you were to print that banner at 300 ppi, then you would need to use an image that is 28,800 pixels wide and 19,200 pixels tall (a whopping 553 megapixels in size)! Most consumer digital cameras on the market today rarely go over 30 megapixels, so good luck finding one that is over 500.
• Unnecessary – As illustrated in the example above, at certain viewing distances it is near impossible to tell the difference between a 300 ppi printed image and a 72 ppi one.
• Large File Sizes – The higher the resolution, the larger the image needs to be. The larger the image needs to be, the larger the image file will be. If you try to provide a print shop with an extremely large file to achieve a resolution that is not necessary, then there is a very good chance they will be asking you for an alternative image that is smaller. Large image files take more time to work with, load, print and transfer, making the print job cost more for them and you.

How do I get a photo that is high resolution?

Let’s say Mother’s Day is coming up, and you decide you want to print a gorgeous, 18” × 12” photo of you and your family for your mother. You want the best resolution you can get, so you know you need to get your hands on an image that is large enough to come out looking crisp and clear. How do you get an image that is large enough for your needs? Let’s look at some do’s and don’ts for getting a high-resolution photo:

Avoid the Following Printing Pitfalls

Downloading photos from social media

Facebook has all of my great photos, so I can just pull one from there and I should be good to go, right? Wrong! If you want to achieve a high-resolution photo, avoid using downloaded images from social media. Every time you upload an image to your favorite social media platform, they are compressing that image into a much smaller file size for storage management purposes. You may not notice the difference in quality when looking at the image on your phone or computer, but if you were to download that image and use it to print a photograph, the loss in quality would immediately be noticed.

As a test, we uploaded the following image to Facebook:

The original pixel dimensions of this photo were 4032 px x 1960 px. After uploading the image, we downloaded it from Facebook. The result? The dimensions for the downloaded image had been changed to 1110 px x 540 px. That’s a 72% loss in image size and quality!

In 2024, many social media platforms have improved their image processing algorithms to reduce quality loss upon upload, though compression is still a factor. High-resolution image hosting has become more common, allowing for better quality downloads. However, for printing purposes, sourcing images directly from the original high-resolution files remains the best practice, as this ensures the highest possible quality is maintained from source to print.

Downloading photos from websites (and yes, that includes Google Images)

One of the main goals for websites is to achieve maximum speed and performance. As a result, images used on websites are generally the smallest and lowest quality they can be in order to decrease load times. As with images from social media, these images might look great on the website, but if you were to download them and used them to print, the quality would not be high enough to achieve a high-quality print.

Using screenshots from Your Computer or Phone

If you can’t download images from social media, websites, or Google Images, then how about just taking a screenshot of the image and using that? Another big no. The screenshots taken on your phone or computer are created at very small pixel dimensions and will also result in a low-quality print if used.

Aim for the Following Printing Habits

Photos taken directly using your phone or digital camera

Without a doubt, the best source of images that will result in a high-resolution print is the direct source that created the image. One important thing to note, however, is cameras are not the same when it comes to resolution. This is where megapixels come into play. One megapixel stands for one million pixels (the exact amount is 1,048,576 pixels), meaning that for every megapixel in a digital image there are one million pixels making up that image.

When you see a digital camera with an assigned megapixel count, this tells you how many pixels are capable of being used to create an image captured through that camera. For example, if you take a photo using a 24-megapixel camera, then the image that is produced is capable of being made up of 24 million pixels. After I have captured the image with the camera, I can look at the pixel dimensions for that image to see if this holds true. In this case, we’ll say the dimensions of my image were 6000 px x 4000 px. If I multiply the pixel width of the image by the pixel height of the image I will get my total pixel count for the image, which is 24,000,000 (24 megapixels).  

The higher the megapixel count on a camera, the higher pixel count in the images created by that camera. Therefore, if you want high-resolution photos you will need to use an image that was captured from a camera with an adequate megapixel count. Here is a chart showing some of the most common types of digital cameras and their megapixel counts:

What type of file does my image need to be?

Now that you know the size your image needs to be, it’s time to determine what type of image file you want to use. First things first, it is important to make the distinction between raster graphics and vector graphics. 

A raster graphic is a digital image that is comprised of individual colored pixels grouped together to create the appearance of a smooth, continuous image. When a raster graphic is created, it contains a certain pixel count which cannot be increased. You are able to increase the size of the image, but all that is happening is you are increasing the size of each individual pixel. The more you expand a raster graphic past its original size, the blurrier the image will become. Raster image file extensions include TIFF (.tif), JPEG (.jpg), GIF(.gif), PNG (.png), and BMP (.bmp).

A vector graphic is a digital image that uses mathematical equations to produce an image made from lines and shapes that can be scaled to any size without loss of quality or fidelity. Vectors are created in illustration software programs, such as Adobe Illustrator. Vectors are generally used to create illustrated artwork, such as icons, logos or murals. They are not used for standard photographs. If available, they are the ideal image type for large format printing, due to their ability to scale to large sizes without becoming “pixelated”. Vector image file extensions include .SVG, .EPS, .PDF, .AI, and .DXF.

If you are printing a photo you have taken on your digital camera or smartphone, then you will be printing a raster image. The majority of digital cameras and smartphones today create images in the JPEG format. This file type works great at producing a quality images at a compressed, manageable file size. If you need to print some type of graphic or illustration that has a transparent background, then you will want to go with the PNG file type, as it allows a transparent background. If you are printing a very large raster image, you will want to consider using the TIFF format, as they are used as large image files without any compression or loss in quality.

In the context of banner printing, choosing the right file format is crucial for achieving the best visual impact and durability. Vector formats like SVG, EPS, PDF, AI, and DXF are typically the best choices for banner printing. These formats ensure that your designs can be scaled to large sizes without losing quality, making them ideal for the crisp, clear visuals needed for banners.

Time to wrap things up

Feel like you know a little bit more about image resolution now? We sure hope so! To sum things up, here are a few points to remember:

• Image resolution determines the quality at which an image will print and is measured using PPI (pixels per inch) or DPI (dots per inch)
• PPI and DPI have their differences, but they cross over in so many applications that they are frequently used interchangeably. Whether you choose to use PPI or DPI, your print shop will help you make sure you get the resolution you are after.
• There isn’t really a universal or “best” resolution for printing. You should determine the resolution to print at based on what it is you are printing and what you are expecting the viewing distance to be for your printed piece. The closer the viewing distance, the higher the resolution.
• It is very difficult to discern the difference in resolution for anything higher than 300 ppi, which is why that resolution is often referred to as the “professional standard”.
• For printing purposes, do not use images that have been downloaded from social media or a website. Use images that have come directly from the source – the camera that was used to take them.
• Every camera has a megapixel count assigned to it. Make sure you take your image using a camera that has a high enough megapixel count to meet your print size needs.
• Be sure to choose the right file type that will satisfy the needs of your image/print.

Have an image that you would like to turn into a stunning photo print, sign, banner or decal? Upload the image to our easy to use online design tool and get started today! If you have any additional questions regarding resolution feel free to contact us as we will be happy to help.

Related Articles

Banner Prices: The Basics

Standard Vinyl Banner Sizes – Signage 101

A Guide To Outdoor Banners – Signage 101

How To Remove Wrinkles From Vinyl Banners

The Best Resolution for Printing Photos, Banners, Signs and More – Signage 101

What is the Best Way to Mount a Banner?

Mounting a banner can be done in various methods. The best way depends on whether or not your banner has grommets or pole pockets. Grommets are metal rings inserted along the edges and corners of a banner, reinforcing holes for tear-resistant hanging. Pole pockets, on the other hand, involve folding and sewing the banner to create an open pocket on one or both ends for pole or rope hanging.

Categorizing methods into grommet and non-grommet options, we’ll explore these accessories and the ideal locations for hanging banners.

Note: We’ll use ‘banners’ as a general term that applies to vinyl banners, fabric banners, and mesh banners. 

How to Hang a Banner With Grommets

The best way to hang a banner with grommets is to use display accessories like bungee cords, nylon rope, hanging clips, zip ties, and suction cups and hooks. These accessories work great with grommets and other banner finish options and expand their functionality while ensuring that the banner is secure.

Bungee Cords

Bungee cords are excellent for pulling your banner tight when displayed. Hook one end of the cord onto the grommet (included for free with all of our banners) and the other to an anchor point of your choosing. Ensure adequate tension from each bungee to pull the banner evenly across its surface.

Nylon Rope

Nylon rope is one of the most common ways to hang banners, whether or not your banner has grommets. Loop through the grommets or feed through pole pockets to secure banners to posts and fences or suspend them from ceilings of overhangs.

Hanging Clips

Hanging clips, commonly called carabiners, can be easily clipped through grommets, which can then clip to anchor points or objects. Carabiners can be used for both permanent and temporary displays. These make an excellent option for displaying a banner on a chain link fence as carabiners can hook into the fence and to the sign through the metal grommets.

Zip Ties

Zip ties are designed for temporarily displaying your banner on fences (chain link fences are the best for this). We recommend zip ties for casual, outdoor events such as fairs, food truck advertising, grand openings, sales, and birthday parties. Zip ties are also more commonly used for extended periods as they are more permanent than bungee cords, ropes, or clips. To hang your banner using zip ties, put the zip tie through the grommet and the anchor point wherever you’re hanging it, then secure it by attaching the ends. To remove it, cut the zip ties.

Suction Cups and Hooks

Suction cups allow you to hang banners on non-porous (smooth), flat surfaces. The most common application surface for these is glass. Hooks extend from the suction cups that can go right into the grommets of your banner. It’s important to mention that suction cups are not meant for large or heavy banners. The weight of larger banners can be too much for the suction ability of this accessory.

How to Hang a Banner Without Grommets

If your banners don’t have grommets and you want to hang them on a wall without drilling, consider Velcro strips, pole pockets, magnets, or tape. Here’s how you can use them:

Velcro

Velcro adhesive strips can be included to attach to the back of your banner. The strips come in two parts; one adheres to the surface you want to connect your banner to, and the other attaches to the back. Velcro strips will do the job if you want to display your banner on walls indoors or wrapped around a surface. They’re also convenient if you want to continually swap out banners in the same display position or a banner without grommets around the edges.

Pole Pockets

You can slide the banner over a pole and suspend it on both ends — picture the start of a parade where two people are holding a suspended banner — or thread something through the pole pocket, like a rope or cord. You can have pole pockets sewn on all four sides of your banner or just one, the choice is yours.

Magnets

If you’ve got a metal surface, strong magnets are another option to consider. To secure the banner in place, make sure to stick the magnets strategically so that they won’t easily fall off from the surface.

Tape

If you want a quick and temporary banner setup solution, use tape to attach your banners. Make sure the tape has strong adhesion and stick it to the back of the banner and affix it to the chosen surface.

Best Places to Hang Banners

Directly On A Wall

One of the most popular ways to hang a banner is on a flat wall. Use Velcro adhesive strips for a flush display on smooth walls. For brick walls, opt for screws or hooks for and use washers for added stability. While double-sided tape or glue are other options for displaying banners on walls, we don’t recommend using them due to potential damage and their permanent nature.

Suspended Between Posts

Suspending or hanging a banner between posts is another standard display method. We’d recommend including grommets on all four corners to allow the banner to be pulled taut between posts. To do this, use rope, zip ties, or screws to secure the banner (wooden posts are ideal for using screws). You may also install hooks into the posts to utilize the grommets of your banner. For larger banners, use a middle post to not only keep your banner taut but also to avoid potential damage in windy conditions. We always recommend taking down banners in extreme weather conditions, and to use mesh banners instead since they are the best option for often windy areas.

Hanging From an Awning or Ceiling

Hang banners from higher points using grommets and rope. Make sure the rope is long enough to feed through the grommets and back to the anchor point of the rope. Metal chains, fishing lines, and the like can also be used. However, we have found rope to be the best option for this location. The aesthetics of the different materials will also play a role in which one you choose.

Displayed on a Flagpole

Use grommets with metal clips or zip ties for hanging banners on flagpoles. Remember to ensure the pole is designed to fit the ¼” clips. Pole pockets are also ideal for sliding a flagpole through the top or bottom of the banner. Though in both of these cases this is not the recommended use and we offer custom flags that can be displayed on flagpoles.

Note: Our pole pockets are 3” in diameter.

Hanging on a Fence

Banners are commonly displayed on chain link fences using grommets, zip ties, or hanging clip, while pole pockets can also secure a banner to a fence with the rope being fed through the pocket(s). Fences that aren’t chain-linked can have banners attached using rope and an anchor point on the fence (this varies depending on the type of fence).

Hanging on a Table

Hanging a banner on a table can be done in multiple ways. Include grommets on the four corners (and around the outside edge if necessary) to secure the banner so that it hangs in front of the table. If your banner has a pole pocket, a rope or string can feed through the pocket to secure the banner to the table.

Hung Up On Hanging?

Banners are a versatile and durable indoor and outdoor signage option. Assuming you’ve correctly hung your banner, you shouldn’t have to worry about it tearing or prematurely failing in any way. Regardless of the location or manner in which you hang them, these banners should last for years to come. If you’re still unsure how to hang your brand new banner outside or inside or are wondering what accessory you should include with your purchase, call us at 888-222-4929. Need some design help? We also offer free design services that can assist you in designing the perfect custom banner for your next event.

Related Articles

A Complete Guide to Pole Banners

Standard Vinyl Banner Sizes – Signage 101

A Guide To Outdoor Banners – Signage 101

Signage 101 – How to Hang Your Banner

Picking the Right Yard Sign 

The first step is to select the yard sign that suits your specific needs. Yard signs are highly versatile and come in different sizes, so it’s essential to sit down and think about what you specifically want to achieve with your signage.  

Here at Signs.com, we offer an extensive selection of customizable yard signs that cater to various requirements. You’ll surely find the perfect fit! 

Designing a Yard Sign 

Once you have nailed down the specifics of your custom yard sign, it’s time to bring your message to life through design. Focus on your message and make it as straightforward as you can. This is also the best time to think about the tone you want to convey to ensure that your message is well-received by passersby. Do you want to be informative? Should you sound convincing? Or would it be best to use a funny line? The goal here is to make your yard sign as easy to understand and as memorable as possible! 

If you need expert advice or assistance, our team of professional designers will be more than happy to lend a helping hand. 

Installing and Moving Your Yard Sign 

Selecting the ideal location is next on the agenda of making your yard sign shine. To maximize its impact, consider placing it in high-traffic areas or busy streets where passers-by will notice it. However, you may need permission to place signage in certain areas depending on local regulations, so check with authorities or property owners to be sure!  

Another great thing about yard signs is they are made of durable yet lightweight materials, so feel free to move them if you want to advertise in a different location. 

Maintaining Your Yard Sign

Proper maintenance is key to make your yard signs eye-catching for a long time. Here are a few ways you can keep your custom yard sign in tip-top shape: 

• Wipe down your yard sign regularly with a damp cloth to remove dirt, dust, and debris. 
• If it gets dirty or stained, you can use a mild soap and water solution to clean it. Be sure to rinse the sign thoroughly with clean water afterwards. 
• Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners as these can damage your yard sign’s material. 

When not in use, store your yard sign in a cool, dry place to prevent fading, cracking, or warping. 

Recycling Your Yard Signs

A yard sign’s life doesn’t stop when it’s no longer needed. Once you’re done displaying your yard sign, remove the stake, any stickers or decals (if there are any), and dirt and debris to prepare it for recycling. If you have multiple yard signs, you can flatten them with a brick or a thick book to make them easier to transport. Here are a few ways you can recycle your yard sign:

• Bring it to local recycling facilities. Many of these accept plastic materials such as yard signs made of corrugated plastic. Check with your local recycling center if they have drop-off points for these items. 
• Look for a recycling program. Some organizations and companies offer specialized recycling programs for yard signs. Ask around – maybe your neighborhood or community has one! 
• Upcycle and repurpose. Get creative with your old yard signs by turning them into waterproof markers for your garden or as protective covers for delicate surfaces during paint jobs and messy DIY projects.  

Now that you are well-acquainted with yard signs, what are you waiting for? Get your message out to the public by ordering your custom yard signs from Signs.com today.  

Related Articles

Signage 101: Yard Sign Sizes

Where to Buy Yard Signs? – Signage 101

Signage 101: How Much Do Yard Signs Cost?

The Life Cycle of a Yard Sign

But if we’re being candid, a testimonial from a satisfied customer is priceless. So, humor us a little. Today, we’re sharing with you real and heartfelt reviews from our delighted customers and a little insider knowledge on how we were able to make them happy.

Quality and Durability

Our vinyl banners are designed to withstand the elements so that you can use them for a long time and get your money’s worth. We use 13 oz. and 18 oz. variants of 100% vinyl for our vinyl banners, which are resistant to water, tearing, and fading. This material is created with a weft inserted knit or an internal scrim which makes it durable enough for both outdoor and indoor use.

Another resilient material we use for our banners is mesh. This type of vinyl is 30% perforated and is perfect for locations where the weather is normally windy and for banners that are meant to be displayed on fences or between posts. Just like solid vinyl, the mesh type is weather-proof and able to repel water without sustaining damage.

We also offer fabric banners which are made of 6.8 oz. 100% polyester and are washable, wrinkle-resistant, and lightweight. This fabric comes with a light sheen which shows through after printing using dye-sublimation process. It may be lightweight but it’s also scratch-resistant and water-resistant, so you won’t have to worry about it getting run-down when displayed outdoors.

User-Friendly Online Design Tools

It’s true that not everyone is a designer but at Signs.com, you don’t have to be. We understand that it isn’t easy to stare at a blank page and not know where to begin. Can you remember how much time you spent the last time you tried to pick one font? We’ve all been there. We also believe that time is a precious currency, and we want to help maximize your resources regardless of the size of your budget.

With Signs.com, you’ll have our online design tool and diverse options for design templates at your fingertips, and you can use them all for free. You can start with a blank canvas, or you can search our template library for industries like real estate, media events, and education or banner uses like promos, warning signs, and political signs. Once you pick out a template, you can modify it according to your banner’s purpose and branding. Our online design tool is built with customization features that let you add text, insert shapes, change the background image, and switch up the colors.

But wait, there’s more. You can upload your own design file to our online design tool and lay it out on a banner size of your choice. Lastly, you can avail our free design services which allows you to collaborate with one of our professional graphic designers and bring your ideas into full color.

Quick and Easy Installation

Banners are set up differently depending on purpose and location, so we prepared for every possible scenario that you’d like to install yours. For starters, solid vinyl, mesh, and fabric banners may be designed with grommets or pole pockets to make installation easy. They can also be hung using bungees, nylon ropes, hanging clips, zip ties, and suction cups. These will help you set up your banner on fences, walls, or hooks and keep them in place. You can order any of these additional accessories upon checkout.

If you’re looking for something that will double as décor, you can choose from our line of step and repeat banners. These come with durable poles and stand and a carrying case so you can take your banner from one event location to another with ease. X Banners are available as well. These are the ones attached to an X Banner stand made of aluminum and fiberglass. A retractable banner on the other hand looks sturdy and polished with its firm metal base and portable setup.

Another popular choice for outdoor banners is flags, available in different styles — teardrop, feather, and flag. These are set up using poles and suspended to the ground using a ground stake, a base with waterbag, or a cross base. Flag banners are easy to assemble, and the poles may be packed away with the base, so you move the sign around as you like and store it after use.

Stellar Customer Service

To better serve our customers, we cater to varying preferences for assistance. Whether you prefer speaking with a representative or conducting independent research, we have you covered.

Our website is built with a Live Chat button so you can talk about your banner needs in an instant. And you don’t need to worry if you don’t know exactly what you like yet. Our customer representatives will walk you through the process of choosing, designing, and ordering your banner. They’ll even deliver fantastic after-sales service!

You can also call us at 1-(888)-222-4929 or 801-441-3400 if you want to touch base or fill out our contact form and we will get back to you as soon as possible. That’s a promise.

We made our FAQ pages robust with information for those who like to keep themselves informed prior to ordering. In fact, our product pages also come with their own FAQs, and we regularly update these pages as necessary to ensure that the information is accurate and true.

We‘re only able to take pride in every single effort to make Signs.com the perfect place to order banner signs because of the happy customers who share their testimonials and those who offer their constructive feedback so we can continue improving. No matter the size or design, let us help you make your dream sign today. Enjoy the full Signs.com experience and we will be with you every step of the way. Take this as your sign!

Signs.com Success Stories and <br>How We Make It Happen

7 Reasons Why Vinyl Banners Have Stood the Test of Time

1. Portability: Vinyl banners are lightweight and easy to transport, making them an ideal advertising tool for businesses that attend trade shows, fairs, or other events. Aside from being lightweight, they can be rolled up or folded for transport without taking up too much space.
2. Durability: Vinyl banners are known for their durability and can withstand harsh weather conditions such as wind, rain, and sunlight. They are made of thick, high-quality vinyl material that’s resistant to tearing. The inks used in printing are also UV-resistant, ensuring that the banners don’t fade and maintain their vibrant colors and sharp graphics. With proper care and maintenance, vinyl banners can last for years.
3. Customizable: Vinyl banners are highly customizable, and you can choose from a wide range of sizes, colors, and designs to suit your specific needs. You have the freedom to print high resolution images, logos, company slogans, and more. The versatility of customizing and choosing the right specs makes vinyl banners an effective marketing tool for businesses in almost every industry.
4. Cost-effective: Vinyl banners are one of the most cost-effective large-format printing options available. Compared to other marketing tools and methods, the banners are relatively inexpensive. This makes them an ideal choice for start-ups or small businesses with a tight marketing budget.
5. Versatile: Vinyl banners can be used for a variety of purposes, including promoting a sale, outdoor advertising, trade shows, events, and promotions. They can be hung from buildings, fences, or poles, or used as backdrops or signage. You can also print small banners for personal use, such as birthday parties, garage sale announcements, and more.
6. Easy to install: Vinyl banners are easy to install and can be hung using grommets, poles, or rope. They are also easy to remove and can be reused if stored properly. The easy installation process helps businesses save time, effort, and money in the long run.
7. Quick turnaround: Most banner printing companies offer fast turnaround times, allowing users to receive their banners as soon as the next business day. As long as you meet the cut-off time for the day and get the proof approved quickly, you can have the banners produced and shipped in no time. This makes them a great option for last-minute events or promotions.

Vinyl Banners: Always Present and a Permanent Fixture

With the aforementioned reasons in mind, vinyl banners will always be one of the go-to promotional and advertising tools for businesses, especially start-ups and small enterprises. The banners’ numerous advantages, from affordability, durability, to quick turnarounds, present a value proposition that simply cannot be beaten.

Related Articles

How to Remove Vinyl Lettering.

Standard Vinyl Banner Sizes – Signage 101.

5 Advantages of Using Vinyl Banners.

Why Vinyl Banners Are Reliable Everyday Displays

We’ll answer what large format and small format printing are and give you ideas and examples to help you know where to start on your print project.

What is Large Format?

Large Format (which is also known as wide format) is any print with a width between 18” and 100”. Print widths that are over 100” wide are super wide or grand format. There are several applications to large format printing. Many businesses utilize large format print materials for aluminum signs, banners, vinyl lettering, vehicle decals/wraps and more. You’ll often see examples of large format prints in retail stores. Many stores will hang promotional signage up in storefront windows as well as within the store from the ceiling tiles. Take a look that the following table to see some of the most frequent types of large format print applications along with common sizes and uses.

There are a few different methods for printing large format. The earliest prints in large format were completed using lithography and screen printing technologies which are still used in certain situations today. In lithography and screen printing, material is laid flat while the press or screen with the design works ink into the material leaving the impression. In some cases, the material is laid in a movable bed and rolled through the press to apply the ink. As you might imagine the larger the desired print, the longer the setup time and thus more expensive each single print costs.

Near the end of the 20th century, large format truly took off with the advent of digital printing methods. Inkjet, laser, and UV Printing have evolved rapidly. You can now print very clear images in vibrant color on nearly any substrate. Most digital printers today have a feeder which pushes the material through the printers allowing inks to be applied from the printhead. These are called roll printers (aka “roll to roll”). Some digital printers are designed to print on rigid materials like the aluminum signs mentioned above. The material is loaded onto the bed and pushed through the print heads on rollers—these are called flatbed printers. See the examples of both below:

The most common types of large format printing today are:

• Screen Printing – a process that involves transferring ink through a screen. This method works particularly well with fabrics and were the same design will be printed in large quantities.
• Offset Printing – Where ink is transferred from one surface to another, usually through a series of rollers.
• Digital Printers – Ink is printed through heads and the printing machine feeds material through the printer as the print heads release ink.   

Check out our blog post which describes these print technologies in more detail.

Displaying a piece of art, advertisement, or attention-getting graphic in large format is a fantastic way to get noticed as a business. Despite the fact that big commercial printers, which can be very cost prohibitive for anyone except large companies, large format printing is a growing industry with more cost-effective print options available all of the time. Printing technologies and the spread of such companies with access to these printers now allow you to print stunning graphic designs or custom artwork on virtually any medium.

Signs.com proudly employs state of the art digital UV printers for all of your wide format jobs. This means your design can be printed on almost any material from plastic, to vinyl, to metal up to 48” x 96” in most cases. The UV Printing process also makes your design more durable on your sign. Learn more about the way digital UV ink works here.

Large Format Highlights:

• Print width between 18” and 100”
• Grand format has print width over 100”
• Common large format prints include vinyl banners, yard signs, aluminum signs, a-frames and flags
• Prints are created using lithography, screen, and digital printing
• Digital printing method allows for vibrant color on most surfaces

What is Small Format?

Small format printing includes a much broader definition in the printing world. Your personal printer sitting on your desk at home is a small format printer, for instance. Depending on the type of paper you buy, you can inkjet or laserjet print lots of different media from photographs to pamphlets and (of course) copy paper materials. From the commercial print industry many small format products are printed with high quality inks on industrial printers that can produce large quantities in a very short period. You are familiar with a lot of the products associated with small format printing. See the table below for some of the most common applications, sizes and uses of small format print products:

Similar to large format, there are several different types of small format printers. The large quantities usually needed for small format products like business cards or postcards means that most jobs are professionally printed onto larger sheets and then cut down to size after printing and drying. This process is usually done via offset printing, but can be completed with digital printers as well. Due to the time to set up, cost of materials, and other factors, it is much more affordable to order small format products in bulk rather than purchasing one print at a time. Sellers of small format printed materials usually provide discounts when purchasing higher quantities of the same print.  

Small Format Highlights:

• Print almost anything on hundreds of material types
• Some prints can be done with personal printers
• Great for marketing materials like business cards and brochures
• Inexpensive, especially for large quantity orders

What Format is Best for You?

Now that you have a better understanding of large format vs. small format printing, you should be able to make a more informed decision about what type of printing you will need for your project.

Large format printing gives you the freedom to make a bold statement by printing whatever you want on several sign materials from flexible to rigid and durable to light. With large format printing you can get great indoor and outdoor use signs that easily capture attention of passersby. You can also order in smaller quantities or one off prints. Small format printing, on the other hand, often means that you’ll need to order your designs in bulk due to the cost ratio of set-up time, materials and size of the print job. With small format however you may find lots of value in promotional products that can be distributed to a large, but targeted audience.

There are major differences separating small and large format printing—it comes down to how you plan to use the end product. Now that you have a better understanding of these printing worlds, take a look at our large selection of large format and small format options by browsing our products found on our site. When you order from Signs.com, you’ll get high quality, fully customizable signage and quick turnaround times on your orders.

Large Format Vs Small Format | Signage 101