Signs & Large Format Print
Lifespan of banners and other outdoor media
| Medium | Intended display period | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Laminated banner 510 g | up to approx. 12 months | Seasonal campaigns, elections, sales |
| Coated banner 510 g | approx. 2–3 years | Fences, walls, permanent company advertising |
| Mesh, blockout, strong banner | depends on location and fitting | Scaffolding, double-sided banners, events |
| Blueback paper (billboard poster) | one campaign cycle | Billboards, replaced every campaign |
| Printed monomeric vinyl | approx. 2–3 years | Shop windows, boards for shorter periods |
| Dibond 3 mm with UV print | 10 years and more | Shop signs, permanent boards |
These figures are the display periods the material is designed for, not a promise that it will last that long everywhere. A coated banner on a sheltered north-facing wall can look good for more than 3 years. The same banner on a fence by an open field, hung by four corners, may not survive the first autumn storm.
If the advert needs to stay up for 5–10 years, consider a Dibond board instead of a banner; see outdoor boards: Dibond or PVC.
What shortens a banner's life most
Below are the factors in the order in which we most often see their effects.
- Wind and poor fixing. A banner hung on a few points flaps, and the eyelets rip out of the material. Most of the damaged banners we see when clients order replacements look like this.
- Too much tension. A banner pulled tight with no slack has no room to move. In a gust it tears at an eyelet or a weld.
- Sharp edges. Fence wire, sheet metal edges, the corner of a structure: the material wears through where it keeps rubbing.
- Large format without reinforcement. Above about 20 m² we recommend webbing around the edge (approx. €3.05 net/lm). Without it the edge takes too much stress.
- Sun. UV inks resist radiation, but after a few years in full southern sun colours still flatten. It shows first on reds and saturated colours.
- Folding. A banner taken down for winter and folded like a blanket cracks along the folds.
As you can see, only one of these points depends solely on the material. The rest can be controlled at fitting.
How to make a banner last longer
- Fix it at every eyelet, not every other one. Details in how to hang a banner on a fence.
- In a windy spot, order eyelets every 25 cm (approx. €0.80 net/lm), or go straight for mesh, which cuts wind load by about 40%.
- Use bungee cords or black UV-resistant cable ties. Ordinary white ties go brittle in the sun after one season.
- Split large banners into smaller ones. Three 5 m banners are more durable and easier to handle than one 15 m banner.
- Check the fixings after every storm. One torn eyelet quickly takes the neighbouring ones with it.
- Do not use a pressure washer at close range. Water with a mild detergent and a soft brush is enough.
- Store it rolled on a tube, artwork facing out, somewhere dry.
When a banner is due for replacement
A banner does not have to be torn to stop working for your business. We advise replacing it when:
- the colours have faded so much that the logo looks different from the one on your vans or sign,
- there are tears at the eyelets or a split weld along the edges,
- the banner is permanently wavy and cannot be pulled straight,
- the information is out of date: an old phone number, a finished promotion, a website that no longer exists.
Replacing a banner is usually a small cost compared with how a damaged advert looks at your entrance. A 3 × 1 m coated banner costs approx. €39 net, and larger formats are cheaper per metre; the full price list is in how much does a PVC banner cost. For a repeat order, the old file or a photo of the banner is enough if we did the design.
- 24 hexpress printing (UV inks need no drying)
- approx. 3 daysstandard lead time
- up to 14 dayslarge and custom projects with installation
Plus courier delivery. Tell us your date — we plan production around it.
Seasonal banner or one for years: choosing the material
Ask yourself a simple question: when will I take this banner down?
If in a few months, because the season, the election or the promotion ends, choose a laminated banner. It is the cheapest (approx. €6–11 net/m²) and fully up to the job.
If the banner is to hang "until it wears out", i.e. it is permanent advertising on your fence or wall, choose 510 g coated (approx. €7–13/m²). On a 3 × 1 m banner the price difference is about €6, and the material is designed to be on display two to three times longer.
For permanent advertising lasting years, in a place where nothing will change, consider a Dibond board or a sign. A banner is cheap and quick, but it is not forever. More on choosing banner material in which banner material to choose.