Banners aren't a new form of advertising — we print plenty of them every year — yet a surprising number of customers still ask us how to actually put one up. Most people assume they'll know when the time comes, but the moment it matters, it's easy to blank on the right method. So we've put together a simple guide you can keep on hand.
You've probably walked past a street banner that's sagging, frayed and rippling in the wind, and felt a little sorry for it. If you'd rather yours didn't end up looking worse for wear, read on — this guide should cover most of the situations you'll run into.
How to hang a banner
Before you think about hardware, you first need to settle on where the banner is going. Hanging one indoors and hanging one outdoors can call for completely different methods. Get a clear picture of the conditions at the spot, and factor in whether the banner might get scuffed or blocked by anything.
Outdoors, naturally, throws up more problems. But it also gives you more methods and tools to work with.
Hanging a banner indoors or on a wall
If you're hanging your banner indoors or on a wall, your job is comparatively easy. For one thing, you don't have to worry about it standing up to strong wind. And you can get a clean result with simple indoor fixings.
Velcro
Velcro is a popular solution right now because it's so easy to use. Stick one side to the banner and the other to the wall, then press the two together. Installation couldn't be more convenient, and you can peel and re-stick the banner whenever you like — an inexpensive, movable display spot you've made yourself.
Suction-cup hooks
If your banner is going on a smooth surface such as glass, and it isn't too heavy or is printed on flag cloth, suction-cup hooks are your best indoor option. Like Velcro, these hooks let you hang a banner on walls and other flat surfaces. Just tell your printer to punch holes in the four corners at print time, and you can hang your vinyl banner on the wall with ease.
Long-term indoor hanging
If the banner is going to stay fixed indoors for the long haul, use wall-mounted hooks to lock its position in place. That gives you a rock-solid hold that works even with heavier fabric. If you want it suspended in mid-air, steel wire will do the job. Before you remove or install any hardware, always check and measure carefully so you don't leave a mess of extra holes that end up undermining the banner's support.
If you find hanging a banner indoors too fiddly or not attractive enough, a retractable banner stand or X-frame is a great alternative. Because it sits indoors, you don't have to worry about the display being blown over or damaged.
Hanging a banner outdoors
When you're hanging a banner outdoors, there's a lot more to think about. There are also plenty of hanging methods to match, which puts higher demands on reading the location and choosing your support points.
Cable ties
We punch holes in at least the four corners of every banner we print, so if the spot you're hanging from has metal you can anchor to, cable ties alone will give you a flawless install — and they're just as easy to remove. A small banner goes up in no time. But if the banner is large, take care during installation: pulling it too tight or leaving it too loose can distort it. Note that cable ties come in various lengths, so find the right one for the job.
Bungee cords
Bungee cords are a very common approach. Thread the hook on one end through the grommet at a corner of the banner, and hook the other end onto a fixed anchor point. Do the same at all four corners. Because the cord is elastic, the banner is held taut in the air, so even in strong wind it won't tear.
Nylon rope
The most universal tool is nylon rope, because you can use it whether your banner has grommets or pole pockets. If your banner has a pocket sewn along the top and bottom, thread the nylon rope straight through the pockets and hang it up.
If your banner has grommets instead, the method is much like cable ties — fasten the banner to a railing. As you fix it, watch that the banner hangs level and that there's enough tension to keep it from wrinkling.
The bottom line
When you hang a banner, pick whichever of the methods above suits your actual situation and the look you're after. As long as you think through the site conditions before you hang, you'll noticeably extend your banner's lifespan. One last reminder, though: whatever hanging method you choose, work out your banner's dimensions and the length of rope you'll need in advance. Otherwise, once you're up there installing it, there'll be no one who can help you.
Need banners printed for your next launch or event? Printing Banana produces vinyl banners, flag-cloth banners and retractable banner stands, with delivery across Hong Kong and Macau. Have a sizing or finishing question? WhatsApp us at +852 3001 5678 — English is fine.