Indoor and outdoor banners: materials, hanging and care
Every printed vinyl banner here is 13oz vinyl with hemmed edges and grommets, which works both indoors and outdoors, so you do not need a different banner for outside. What changes outdoors is how you hang it: tie it at every grommet, keep it taut, and take it down in storms. For a lawn, use a corrugated plastic yard sign on a metal stake; for an indoor booth, a retractable banner stand.
What each product is made of
| Product | Material | Where | Finishing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vinyl banners (senior night, graduation, business and party banners) | 13oz vinyl, full-color print | Indoor and outdoor | Hemmed edges, grommets |
| Table runner | 13oz scrim vinyl | Indoor and outdoor tables | Laid over the table |
| Retractable banner, 33" x 81" | Printed fabric graphic on an aluminum roll-up stand, with a carry bag | Indoor (a free-standing stand is not made for wind) | Rolls into the base |
| Yard sign | 4mm corrugated plastic (coroplast) | Outdoor, in the ground | Metal H-stake |
We do not currently sell mesh banners.
Indoor vs outdoor: what actually changes
Indoors, any of the vinyl banners or the retractable stand will do; there is no wind or rain to plan for, so hooks, rope or adhesive hooks rated for the weight are enough.
Outdoors, 13oz vinyl is waterproof and made for the weather. The risks are wind and how it is tied: a solid vinyl banner catches wind like a sail, and most damage happens when it flaps against its ties or is left up in a storm.
How to hang a banner
- Chain-link fence or bleacher rail: zip ties or bungee cords through each grommet. Do the top corners first, then the bottom corners, then the grommets in between, pulling it flat as you go.
- Wall or garage door: screw hooks or nails at the grommet positions, or rope and S-hooks. Indoors, adhesive hooks work for small, light banners.
- Between two posts or trees: run rope through the top and bottom corner grommets and tie off tightly on both sides.
- Retractable stand: open the feet, pull the graphic up out of the base and clip it to the top of the pole.
- Yard sign: push the metal H-stake into the ground first, then slide the sign onto it.
Wind: keeping a banner from tearing
- Tie every grommet, not just the corners, so the load is shared.
- Keep it taut. A slack banner snaps back and forth and pulls at the grommets.
- Use bungee cords on windy sites: they give a little instead of tearing the vinyl.
- The bigger the banner, the more wind it catches. Take it down before storms and very high winds.
Cleaning and storage
- Clean with mild soap and water and a soft cloth, then rinse. Avoid harsh solvents and abrasive pads on the print.
- Let it dry completely before storing it.
- Store it rolled, not folded, somewhere dry. Folds leave creases in vinyl.
Choosing a size? See the banner size guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best material for an outdoor banner?
For a banner, 13oz vinyl with hemmed edges and grommets: it is waterproof and is what every printed vinyl banner here uses, indoors or out. For a sign on a lawn, a corrugated plastic yard sign on a metal stake. Retractable banner stands are for indoor use.
Can a vinyl banner stay outside?
Yes, 13oz vinyl is made for outdoor use. Tie it at every grommet so it cannot flap, and take it down before storms or very high winds, which is when banners and grommets get damaged.
How do I hang a banner on a chain-link fence?
Start at the top corners: thread a zip tie or bungee cord through each grommet and around the fence, then do the bottom corners and the grommets in between, pulling the banner flat as you go. Bungee cords give a little in the wind; zip ties hold tighter.
How do I keep a banner from tearing in the wind?
Use every grommet, keep the banner taut so it does not snap back and forth, and use bungee cords rather than rigid ties on a windy site. A solid vinyl banner catches wind like a sail, so the bigger it is the more firmly it needs to be tied, and it should come down in storms.
Are grommets included?
Yes. Printed vinyl banners come with hemmed edges and grommets, ready to hang with zip ties, bungee cords, rope or hooks.
How do I clean and store a vinyl banner?
Wipe it with mild soap and water and a soft cloth, rinse, and let it dry completely. Store it rolled, not folded, in a dry place; folding leaves creases in the vinyl.
Ready to order?
Free design, a free proof you approve before we print, and free overnight shipping anywhere in the USA. Questions first? Contact us.