Used to display messages, announcements and promotions, customized banners can be a great tool for delivering any communication you want to get across to the public.
Decorated banners can be used for a variety of different events like school spirits, sponsor advertising, sports teams and much more.

At ColDesi, we offer over 40 blank vinyl banners that can be easily customized using sign vinyl and screen printing.

Vinyl banners like these offer exceptional durability which make them ideal especially for outdoor use but can be used indoor as well.

Whether you have a message you need to get across or want to draw attention to a product or service youre offering, using one of our vinyl banners will be a great and effective way to do so.

In this article, we'll cover some of the basics you need to know before purchasing your first blank banner.

What are some of the different kind of banners usually sold?

Making sure you choose the right style banner can make a huge difference when deciding where to display it.
When shopping, you'll most likely see two styles of banners:

• Hemmed
• Unhemmed

Let's talk about why someone would want to purchase one style over the other.

Hemmed Banners

For those who may not know, a hemmed banner means that during the design process there is a double layer of vinyl bonded together, rather than just a single layer.

Usually, the extra layer of vinyl measures around a 1-inch end for double the strength and thickness of the banner.

Given this information, you can probably guess that most decorators prefer hemmed banners because of the strength and durability they can provide.

However, there are a few other advantages to hemmed banners.

1. Stronger and can hold up against outside elements (wind, rain, etc.)
2. Extends the life of the banner
3. Reinforces the edges of the banner
4. Ideal for use with grommets

If you're using a hemmed banner, you are probably using grommets to hang it up.

In the case that you are not, you may want to consider it.

Grommets are metal rings that are hole punched on the edges of banners so that it’s easier to hang up and it protects the banner from fraying.

 If you plan on using your customized banner outside, you may want to use this combination.

Unhemmed Banners

As you can probably already guess, an unhemmed banner is one that does not have the extra layer of vinyl. These are still widely popular but are less durable and are more difficult to hang up.

You'll notice that over time, unhemmed banners will not stay up well through outside elements like wind and rain.

Since these banners don't have the extra layer of vinyl, they tend to rip when grommets are used and may crumple or curl.

However, this is dependent on where the banner will be and how long you'll need it for.

If you plan on displaying a banner temporarily, using an unhemmed banner might work best for you.

We don't recommend using an unhemmed banner if you plan on displaying it outside for a long period of time.

Factors like these are important to keep in mind, so that you don't waste your time and money.

Choosing the correct size for your banner is also key when in the purchasing process.

What are some common sizes of banners?

Whether you want to use your banner indoors or outdoors, having the right size will help accomplish your end goal which is usually to advertise something.

If you choose a banner that is too small, it will be hard to get the desired message across

On the other hand, if you decide to choose a banner that is much bigger, you might want to consider where it will be hung up.

You might not want to purchase a large banner for indoor parties, gatherings or meetings.

Most large banners are used outside so that the message or graphic can be seen from a distance.

These can be great for businesses who are trying to expand their advertising aside from in store ads and emails.

Below, we've listed some of the most common sizes of banners you will see when shopping.

You may also see some larger format banners that are sold in rolls. These are ideal if you plan on customizing a great deal of banners.

Buying in bulk also allows you to cut the vinyl banners to whatever size you need while saving you money. If you are regularly customizing blank banners, you may want to go this route.

Now that we've provided you with some basic information about what to look out for when searching for the right blank banners for your business, let's get into how you can customize them.

How can I customize blank vinyl banners?

There are a couple different ways blank banners can be customized. The banners we offer on our supply division site, Colman and Company can be customized with sign vinyl and screen printing.

Don't worry, if you're new to decorating vinyl banners, we'll teach you step by step on how to do so.

How to customize blank vinyl banners with sign vinyl

1. Cut your design using a vinyl cutter
2. Weed your sign vinyl using a weeding pick
3. Apply transfer tape to your weeded transfer
4. Use a squeegee to smooth out air bubbles out, working outwards
5. Let sit for 5 minutes
6. Place your transfer onto your banner and peel the transfer tape away
7. Use a squeegee to smooth out any air bubbles

A popular cutter we recommend to achieve this look is the Graphtec CE7000.

Using Screen Printing to Decorate Blank Vinyl Banners

Screen printing is one of the oldest methods to customizing items like t-shirts, banners and much more. However, it's still a process that's still widely popular.
Not sure what screen printing is? Don't worry, we'll give you a brief explanation to help you better understand.

Screen printing is the process of stretching a thin mesh over a screen that's usually made of wood or aluminum.

For banners, there are a few different steps to take.

The mesh being used is filled with a film that is light sensitive. The image is created as a film positive and is placed on the light sensitive mesh.
This image is now exposed to ultraviolet light and is "burned."

Next, you simply wash the screen. This will remove any of the film that was not exposed to the ultraviolet light. This leaves the image to be printed.

Once the frame and screen are dry, the frame is moved over to a large screen-printing press.

You may see that when smaller substrates, like t-shirts are used there is a slightly different process.

Now let's dive into where you can buy blank vinyl banners.

Where can I buy blank vinyl banners?

Like we’ve discussed earlier in this article, there are a few important factors to keep in mind when you are in the process of purchasing blank banners.

We’ve made it easy for you in your search by offering these blank vinyl banners in all different colors and sizes on our supply website, Colman and Company.

With the right machines and products, you can launch your new custom banner business or add on product from the ground up.

Custom banners have been used for years and are an effective way to advertise and promote businesses and display important messages.

Adding them to your business or starting a custom banner business is a great investment where you will see a great return if done correctly.

If you want to learn more about customizing our blank vinyl banners or have any additional questions, feel free to call (800)-891-1094 and live chat with one of our pros.