There are basically three main types of materials used to make banners. Each of them have their own benefits. In this article, we discuss mesh banners. What is a mesh banner? When should you use a mesh banner?
What is a Mesh Banner?
A mesh banner is actually made of vinyl, but as opposed to a solid, full foundation, the vinyl is woven with perforations throughout; thus mesh. Mesh banners run a little bit more than the traditional vinyl banners. But with the slight increase in what you’ll pay, the benefits are plenty.
Much like a screen door, the many small holes in a mesh banner allow air to pass through. This makes custom mesh banners the prime choice for outdoor advertising.
Our 9-ounce vinyl mesh banners have a white matte base for front printing and display. They are tear and fade-resistant, as well as fire retardant. The ink that will produce words and imagery on mesh banners is printed with UV (ultraviolet) ink. Essentially, UV light follows the material being printed with the ink. It cures (dries) the areas surrounding the ink. This provides for a crisp, clean look to the design on the custom outdoor banner. As for the ink itself, we use OEM factory quality ink. Ours is weather-resistant, fade-resistant, and scratch/abrasion-resistant. Quality, OEM factory inks last longer, FYI.
Features of Mesh Banners:
Some of the features that separate mesh banners from other alternative custom banners make them an absolute go-to when you want to display your signage. Among them:
- Regarding wind, mesh banners allow for wind to pass through, and as a result, they will remain intact
- As well as wind being a non-factor, so are rain and light-to-medium snowfalls. Neither have any real effect on mesh banner material
- Versatility of mesh banners is bountiful. Among their multitude of locations they can be used are parks, concert venues, construction sites, and more
- Size capability and weight
Size Capability & Weight:
Unlike other materials used in banner-making, mesh is phenomenal in a couple other areas that have a somewhat symbiotic relationship: Size and Weight. Banner signage can range from very small, depending on the message and desired placement, to extremely large. It’s not uncommon to see a mesh banner that’s a foot taller than the tallest man ever recorded.
Robert Wadlow, from Alton, Illinois, was listed at 8’11” tall, to give you perspective. Additionally, custom mesh banners can be as long as half an entire football field.
Putting that into perspective, New Orleans Saints quarterback, Drew Brees, is the NFL’s all-time leader in career passing yards with 77,416. Yet, he cannot sling a football more than about 50 yards.
More numbers to throw at you. With a size dimension of 10’x150’ (again, it’s not unusual, and not nearly the limit that can be reached), one can assume the difficulty in lifting, carrying, and hanging something that big and awkward. That’s not to even mention the weight aspect of things. With vinyl banners, the weight is two ounces per every square foot of material. Here’s an equation to hammer that point home:
You have a vinyl banner that is 10’x150’ (based on the example from above). Each square foot weighs two ounces. The equation would go as such:
(10 x 150) x 2 / 16 (converting 16 ounces into one pound) = 187 ½ pounds
Do you want to lug that around much less try to hang it at the base of your company store’s roof? The good news with mesh banners is that they weigh about half as much as vinyl.
If you have a small booth at an indoor trade show, vinyl banners might be your best route to take. If you need a big, bold custom banner that can withstand harsh outdoor elements or can be made much larger and weigh less, then mesh is the way to go.
