When it comes to print marketing materials, vinyl banners are one of the best investments due to their long lifespan, quality, and durability. Banners can be used and reused in a variety of occasions when designed correctly. With reusability in mind, here are a few must-do’s to follow before printing vinyl banners for your brand.

Always choose the right vinyl

Depending on the purpose of your banner, you may need either UV Coating (Glossy Finish) or Matte Coating (Satin Finish). The type of finish you choose can make a big difference in the way your message is received. Glossy banners for instance can be more difficult to read if used outside. Make sure you know where (inside/outside) your banners will be placed before deciding on the type of finish to use.

Always determine the space requirements

One of the biggest mistakes to avoid when printing vinyl banners (or anything for that matter) is to make sure you determine your space requirements. Start by simply measuring out the space your banner will be filling. If you are hanging your banner you will have to take into account the grommet holes which will allow rope or wire to hold it up. Taking all of these things into account will help you avoid having to come back and reprint things later.

Always use a higher DPI

Designing for banners means using high DPI (dots per inch). Using a low DPI results in pixelated images which are very noticeable and reflect poorly on your brand. Avoid using anything below 150 DPI when designing your banner. 300 DPI or higher is ideal. Here’s a quick look at different DPI outputs:

Always pay attention to colors

Understanding print means understanding how colors output onto a variety of printing materials. Remember that all files will need to be converted to CMYK colors before they are printed. Neon and Pantone colors cannot be printed on vinyl banners. When designing on your computer make sure your monitors are properly color-calibrated. Often, colors will appear differently on different monitors, so you’ll need to make sure your screen comes as close to “true color” as possible. You can find tips on calibrating your computer screen here: How to calibrate your monitor

Always pay attention to bleed

Another print blunder people make is forgetting to account for bleed. Banners that have grommets need to be adjusted accordingly. This means going up to a full square inch on all corners, where a normal bleed (without grommets) is typically .125 inches. When a product doesn’t have a good bleed, people notice. Don’t underestimate the importance of this.

If you have other questions about printing vinyl banners, or would like advice on getting an outstanding looking banner for your brand, contact us below.