Banner Printing FAQ

Hanging Banners

What sizes are available?

You can design custom Hanging Banners for online printing in our predetermined sizes or use custom dimensions. When you enter your desired dimensions in the Finished Size fields on the product page, a notification will alert you if they are outside our parameters. In that case, you can request a Custom Quote.

What banner material is available?

We offer banner printing in both mesh and vinyl materials. Each material has different characteristics suited to specific display environments:

• 8 oz. Mesh
  • For indoor or outdoor use.
  • Lightweight material that’s great for windy areas.
  • Mesh weave minimizes wind-resistance and allows air to pass through.
  • Can be printed on one side only.
• 13 oz. Scrim Vinyl Matte
  • For outdoor use.
  • Scrim refers to the strong fabric mesh sandwiched within PVC vinyl.
  • The face has a smooth surface, the back is slightly textured.
  • Can be printed on one side only.
• 13 oz. Smooth Vinyl Opaque Matte
  • For indoor use.
  • Has a high-strength polyester fiber weave that’s highly tear-resistant.
  • Can be printed double-sided.
• 15 oz. Smooth Vinyl Blockout
  • For indoor or outdoor use.
  • Smooth two-sided blockout material (cannot see through).
  • Low-curl formula that helps create a flat appearance.
  • Can be printed double-sided.

• Non-PVC Polyethylene
  • Sustainable alternative for Hanging Banners
  • 100% recyclable
  • Durable, multi-layer construction
  • Heat-sealable and lightweight
  • Provides exceptional color reproduction
  • Thickness: 13 mil 
  • For indoor or outdoor use

Learn more: Fabric Backdrops vs. Vinyl Backdrops

Can you print double-sided?

Yes, some hanging banner materials support double-sided printing. Our 8 oz. mesh and 13 oz. scrim vinyl banners can be printed on one side only. Our 13 oz. and 15 oz. smooth vinyl banners can be printed one- or two-sided. To print double-sided custom banners, use the Sides dropdown on the product page.

Do banners come with grommets?

Custom banners do not come automatically with grommets, but you can add them to the corners or placed every 24 inches in your choice of color. As a premium online printer, we also offer finishes like stitched hems, webbing loops, pole pockets, wooden dowels and ball bungees to reinforce and secure your banner. Learn more: How to Hang Your Banner

Can you add wind slits to my banner?

No. We do not recommend wind slits because they weaken your banner and increase the likelihood of it tearing. For banners displayed in high-wind locations, we recommend 8 oz. mesh, which allows air to pass through and helps minimize wind resistance.

Can I use my banner outside?

Yes, certain hanging banner materials are suitable for outdoor use. We recommend:

• 8 oz. Mesh – For indoor or outdoor use.
• 13 oz. Scrim Vinyl Matte – For outdoor use.
• 13 oz. Smooth Vinyl Opaque Matte – For indoor use.
• 15 oz. Smooth Vinyl Blockout – For indoor or outdoor use.

Can I create multiple banners in the same order?

Yes. With our Versions feature, you can print various designs to differ content on multiple banners (for trade shows and events or showcasing products and services). Our online printing services require your banners be the same size, material and finish, but your designs and content can change as much as you like. Learn more: Versions

Retractable Banners

What sizes are available?

You can design custom Retractable Banners for online printing in our predetermined sizes:

• 31-1/2″W x 85”H
• 47-1/4″W x 85”H
• 59-3/4″W x 85-1/4″H
• 94-3/4″W x 85-1/4″H

If you’re printing Tabletop Retractable Banners, you can do that in one size: 11-3/4″W x 18-1/2″H.

What materials are available for banner printing?

For Retractable Banners, we offer 13 oz. smooth vinyl. For indoor use, this opaque white material has a high-strength polyester fiber weave that’s highly tear-resistant. For Tabletop Retractable Banners, banners are printed on 8mil synthetic paper that’s durable and tear-resistant. Both materials are intended for indoor displays.

Learn more: Fabric Backdrops vs. Vinyl Backdrops

Does my banner come with a stand? A carrying case?

Yes. Retractable Banners come with a stand that corresponds to the size you chose and a soft-sided carrying case for easy transport to and from events and locations.

Carrying Case Dimensions:

• For 31-1/2″ Stand: 33-1/4″ x 4″ x 4″
• For 48″ Stand: 48-1/2″ x 4″ x 4″
• For 96″ Stand: 96″ x 4-5/8″ x 4-5/8″

Tabletop Retractable Banners come with a stand as well, but they do not come with a carrying case.

How much of my banner will be hidden by the stand?

To prevent your artwork and content from being cut off or hidden by the stand, we recommend keeping the following measurements in mind when designing your banner:

• Retractable Banners:
  • 0.5” of your artwork will be covered on the top for installation of the hanger.
  • 6” of your artwork will be covered on the bottom for attachment to the base.
  • Leave a minimum of 0.25” bleed on each side.
• Tabletop Retractable Banners:
  • 0.25” of your artwork will be covered on the top for installation of the hanger.
  • 2” of your artwork will be covered on the bottom for attachment to the base.
  • Leave a minimum of 0.25” bleed on each side.

Learn more: Retractable Banner Stand Guidelines, Bleed

Can I reuse the banner stand and swap out the banner material?

No. Our banner stands are not recommended for interchangeable graphics. Each retractable banner comes with a banner installed in its corresponding stand.

Can I use my banner outside?

Our 13 oz. smooth vinyl and 8mil synthetic paper materials are best for indoor use. We do not recommend them for outdoor use.

Can I create multiple banners in the same order?

Yes. With our Versions feature, you can print multiple banners with different designs or content, such as banners for trade shows, events or product displays. Your banners must be the same size, but their designs and content can vary. Learn more: Versions

How do I install my banner into the stand?

Retractable Banners come preassembled, with the banner already rolled inside the stand. They’re ready to display without requiring you to install the banner separately.

Step and Repeat Banners

What sizes are available?

You can design custom Step and Repeat Banners for online printing in our predetermined sizes or use custom dimensions up to 117″W x 98″H x 16-1/2″D. When you enter your desired dimensions in the Finished Size fields on the product page, a notification will alert you if they are outside our parameters. In that case, you can request a Custom Quote.

What banner material is available?

We offer banner printing on 13 oz. smooth vinyl or non-PVC polyethylene.

• 13 oz. Smooth Vinyl: An opaque white material with a high-strength polyester fiber weave that’s highly tear-resistant and reduces glare.
• Non-PVC Polyethylene: A sustainable alternative that’s 100% recyclable, durable, lightweight and heat-sealable. Its multilayer construction also provides exceptional color reproduction.

Learn more: Fabric Backdrops vs. Vinyl Backdrops

What finishing options are there?

We offer finishing options such as stitched hems and pole pockets for Step and Repeat Banners. These options help reinforce your banner and accommodate different display setups.

Can you print double-sided?

Yes. You can print Step and Repeat Banners on both sides. Simply select your preference in the Sides dropdown on the product page.

What size should my logo be? What about background color?

For vertical logos, each logo should be a minimum of 8-10 inches high. For horizontal logos, each logo should be a minimum of 8-10 inches wide. We recommend images be at 100% scale at 100 PPI. If the file is a JPG, the background color must be white or nontransparent TIFF.

If you would like a background color, leave us a note about the specific color in your Activity Log after placing your order (e.g., lilac purple, PMS #222, royal blue or a CMYK build).

Learn more: How to Set up a File for Step and Repeat Banners

What types of files do you accept?

We accept PDF, EPS and AI files in any size and in vector format. Fonts must be outlined or active, and image files should be large enough to avoid pixelation when scaled to size. We cannot accept PowerPoint or Word files.

Can you design my banner for me?

Yes. Select “Yes” in the Please Design My Banner for Me dropdown on the product page to have our design team create your banner for an additional fee. You’ll need to provide your logo or graphic in vector format and describe where and how you’d like it placed (e.g., how many across or down, a single logo in the center or a nonrepeating layout). Our design team will take care of the rest. Learn more: Vector Graphics vs. Raster Images

Does my banner come with a stand?

No. Step and Repeat Banners do not automatically include a stand, but you can add one using the Adjustable Banner Stand dropdown on the product page. The telescopic stand adjusts to accommodate various banner sizes and includes a soft carrying case measuring 10-1/2″ x 40″ x 3-1/2″. Learn more: How to Install Step and Repeat Banners

Can I use my banner outside?

No. We recommend using Step and Repeat Banners indoors only.

Can I create multiple banners in the same order?

Yes. With our Versions feature, you can print multiple banners with different designs or content for trade shows, events and photo backdrops. Your banners must be the same size and finish, but their designs and content can vary. Learn more: Versions