The Most Suitable Banner Substrate

Banner textiles are a constantly evolving area of research and development, and the choices can be overwhelming. However, the choice you make can make a significant difference to your finished banners. Today’s substrates are designed for different conditions and applications.

Here is a quick guide to point you in the right direction!

This is the most important question. Interior and exterior environments have their own challenges that banner material has to be able to withstand. For instance, quality substrates will not only have components that prevent damage to the media, they will also work with light to enable the most visually-enhancing effect.

These need to be strong, durable, and able to withstand wind and weather. The product requirements to think about include:

1) Size

If it’s a very large installation, such as a building wrap, your banner will need discrete air passages to enable wind to pass through it without damage. Mesh is best for this.

2) Viewing Distance

Much academic research has been given to the problem of how visuals are affected by distance. Banner substrates are designed for optimal performance at varying audience distances. You’ll need a different approach when specifying media for a sports stadium poster, for example, than you would for a shopping centre banner, where viewers will be far closer to the material.

3) Night Visibility

If your outdoor banner is going to be backlit, there are special materials and substrates available. With the incorrect textile, light can glare through an image, ruining the graphic architecture. However, block-out enhancements mean that you can control the flow of the light.

As with outdoor banners, there are a few key areas to consider when selecting a substrate for indoor campaigns.

1) Textile Quality

Indoor banners, flags, and pop-ups need to look good up-close. High-quality latex and UV substrates can achieve a seamless, meticulous finish.

2) Fire Rating

Nobody wants to see their campaign going up in smoke. Exhibition centres and stores often have their own minimum fire safety requirements for displays, which your client will need to check with their retail display partners. Substrates are available that adhere to stringent fire safety testing standards.

3) Waterproofing

Waterproofing is easy to overlook in indoor advertising. However, banners may be splashed by contaminants or may need cleaning. The most successful materials can weather most storms, even when they are indoors.

4) Print Quality

There are many factors that influence the choice of print quality. The substrate you select will have an influence on this. The smoother the material, the higher quality the image will be. Equally, heavier materials can tolerate high printing temperatures for vivid, long-lasting designs.

There is a banner material and a printing solution for every possible project. As probably the largest specialist digital print media supplier in the world, we can advise you on how to bring your client’s campaign to life with the best combination of ink, print and finish.

For more information, download our fantastic and informative free guide PDF. Call us on 01767 677 100 and one of our experts will be ready to answer your questions.