PVC Banners: Everything You Need to Know Before Ordering
PVC banners are one of the simplest ways to create a large, highly visible advertising display without committing to permanent signage.
They can be used to promote businesses, events, special offers, launches, exhibitions and temporary campaigns, with plenty of space for branding, photographs, contact information and a clear promotional message.
But ordering a banner shouldn’t start with the question “How much is a banner?”
First, you need to think about where it will be displayed, who needs to see it, how far away they’ll be and what you want them to do after seeing it.
Get those decisions right and everything from the banner dimensions to the artwork becomes much easier.
Before Ordering a PVC Banner, Think About These Four Things
What Is a PVC Banner?
A PVC banner is a flexible printed display produced on PVC banner material using large format printing.
Unlike a rigid advertising board or permanent sign, a banner can provide a practical solution when you need a large display for a promotion, event or temporary advertising campaign.
The printable area gives designers much more room than a flyer or poster, but that doesn’t mean you should fill every inch of it. In fact, the best banners are often the simplest.
A strong headline, recognisable branding and one clear call to action can be far more effective than a banner covered in small text.
What Can PVC Banners Be Used For?
PVC banners can work across a wide range of business and promotional situations.
How Big Should a PVC Banner Be?
There isn’t one ideal PVC banner size because the right dimensions depend on the available space and viewing distance.
A banner positioned close to customers can communicate using smaller elements than one intended to attract attention from much further away.
Start by measuring the physical space where the banner is intended to go. Then think about the position from which most people will actually view it.
Don’t automatically choose the largest banner you can fit. The objective is to make the message easy to see and understand in its actual environment.
If you’re unsure, give Print Juice the approximate display dimensions and explain where the banner will be used. That gives us much more useful information than simply asking for a “standard banner”.
Design for the Viewing Distance
One of the most common mistakes with large format printing is designing it as though the customer will be holding it in their hands.
They won’t.
If somebody is going to see your banner from across a car park, exhibition hall or event space, tiny text isn’t going to help.
The greater the viewing distance, the more important it becomes to prioritise:
- A short, strong headline that can be understood quickly.
- A recognisable logo or brand identity rather than lots of decorative clutter.
- Strong contrast between important text and the background.
- A simple call to action such as a website, telephone number or short instruction.
- Good quality artwork and images suitable for reproduction at the required size.
Planning a PVC Banner?
Tell us where the banner will be used, the approximate size you need and what you want it to achieve. If your artwork isn’t ready yet, we can also discuss what you’ll need to prepare for print.
What Artwork Do You Need for a PVC Banner?
If you’re supplying your own design, the quality of the original artwork matters — particularly when it’s being enlarged for large format printing.
A logo that looks acceptable as a tiny image on a website isn’t automatically suitable for reproducing several feet wide.
Where possible, logos and graphic elements should be supplied in suitable high-quality or vector formats. Photographs should have sufficient resolution for their intended printed size.
You should also check:
- Names, telephone numbers and website addresses are correct.
- Important information isn’t positioned too close to the finished edges.
- Text is large enough for the expected viewing distance.
- Images are suitable quality for large-format reproduction.
- The artwork dimensions and proportions match the banner being ordered.
If you’re uncertain whether your files are suitable, it’s much better to ask before the banner is printed.
Keep the Message Simple
A large banner gives you lots of physical space. That doesn’t mean you need to fill it.
Before designing anything, decide what the banner’s single most important job is.
If you’re advertising an event, the event name and essential details need priority. If you’re promoting a business, the service and brand need to be obvious. If you’re advertising an offer, the offer shouldn’t be hidden among paragraphs of text.
Someone should be able to look at the banner for a few seconds and understand the important message.
PVC Banner, Pop Up Banner or Advertising Board?
Ready to Order Your PVC Banner?
Print Juice provides professional PVC banner printing for businesses, events and promotions. We’re based near Bishop’s Stortford and bring decades of print industry experience to projects ranging from everyday business print to large format displays.
Send us your artwork and required dimensions, or simply tell us what you’re trying to achieve and we’ll help you work out the next step.
Call 01245 860 550 or contact Print Juice for a quote.
