After more than 30 years of experience designing, manufacturing, and installing vinyl banners, the Signworld team is ready to share some tips to choose the right banner size before you buy!.
Vinyl Banners 101
Banners come from a centuries-old advertising tradition. Most modern banners are made from vinyl materials that can be customized in any shape, style, color, and design imaginable.
The most common material is 13 ounce vinyl. Most banners are printed right on the vinyl roll, then cut to whatever shape you desire (usually square or rectangle). In most cases, sewn or heat-welded hems are added to the edges of cut vinyl to improve the look and durability of the final product. Most banners also come with grommets to simplify hanging installations.
Standard Vinyl Banner Sizing
Truth be told, the sign industry doesn’t really specify any “standard” vinyl banner size. However, after more than 30 years in the vinyl banner business, we can confidently say that these three sizes are the most popular:
- 6’ x 3’ (or 72” by 36”)
- 4’ x 2’ (or 48” by 24”)
- 8’ x 4’ (or 96” by 48”)
The first option–6 feet wide by 3 feet high–is undoubtedly the most requested vinyl banner order that we get. This size is perfect for all kinds of applications. It’s big enough to be seen from far away or stand out from a crowd, yet it’s small enough to transport anywhere. This size is also perfect to use in conjunction with a standard six-foot table, which is typically the kind that comes with most trade show booth rentals. You can hang the banner from the front of the table and know that it will sit beautifully.
Don’t feel limited to these sizes, though. Most shops and Signworld partners will be able to print banners up to 5 feet by however long the vinyl roll goes!
How To Choose The Right Vinyl Banner Size
Unless you have a specific space in mind, it’s best to stick with the above recommendations. But there are some situations that call for specific banner sizes. In those cases, generally speaking, you want to use a 1:2 ratio for logos or designs with more than two lines of text, and a 1:3 ratio for “landscape” designs with wide logos and only a few words. 1:1 sizing ratios can be effective for “squared off” logos. If you want to string your banner between two poles of a pop-up tent, 10’ wide by 3’ or 4’ high is recommended.
When choosing your sign specifications, consider your long-range readability goals. Remember that 10” of letter height gives you about 450’ of maximum readable distance, with 100’ being the optimal viewing range. Every additional inch of letter height adds about 10 feet of readability. Figure out where your target audience will be viewing your banner from and calculate your size needs accordingly.
Free Vinyl Banner Consultations Near You
Signworld partners are operating successful businesses across America, which means qualified help is closer than you think.
Call 888-765-7446 or visit our website to book a free consultation with a Signworld representative today.
